Incredible India

Today, I woke up actually missing India. How odd is that?
The funny thing is that once we started our trip a year(!) ago, we longed for India so much, at times we even questioned ourselves, wondering why we didn't plan the trip the other way round, starting in India, ending in China. However, once we got there, we realized that ending our trip in India was the best choice we ever made. As I've mentioned before,  I have some kind of love-hate relationship to the country. I fell in love with it in so many ways, but still there a things I'll never be able to understand, or accept.
After travelling for almost 3½ months, we found it pretty hard that women were not accepted in the same way. Actually, the fact that Mr Malik, the owner of the simple, but yet so wonderful hostel, Mystic Moments, in New Delhi told us that we shouldn't be out later than 10pm, or that we had to rely on our new-found male-friends to make things easier was tough for us. Now I find myself missing the country, I'm not hundred per cent sure of what I miss, and at times I doubt if I would manage to go there again, I guess that's what makes it fascinating.

New Delhi, Jama Masjid Mosque, photo taken by Gus Benke.

New Delhi, at the Jama Masjid Mosque, photo taken by Gus Benke.

Enjoying India!

From New Delhi to Jaipur.

Maharaja Sawai Mansingh- II Ciry Palace

The make-up on the small children is supposed to protect the kids from bad spirits.

"Is it original?" they asked.

Jantar Mantar.

Camel Safari!

Banyan Tree, on out way to Bednut Temple.

Chai, at Bednut Temple

View over Pushkar Lake, photo taken by Stefan Seidler

Celebrating Holi, photo taken by Stefan Seidler

The beautiful Taj Mahal, Agra

Last stop Goa

Magnificent Taj Mahal

Shah Jahan's wife died giving birth to her 14th child, her husband, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was so  devastated and decided to build a palace, an immortal tribute in memory of his wife Mutaz Mahal. The palace we today know as Taj Mahal.  In 1631 the construction started, the principal mausoleum was completed in 1648, five years later the gardens and the surrounding buildings were finished. 

Not long after it was finished, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his own son, and imprisoned in Agra Fort. He could only see his creation from a window.

In total, it is said that 20 000 people from India and Central Asia worked on the building, pretty cool!

Beatiful sunset from the east side, at Yamuna River.

In 1983 The Taj was designated a World Heritage Site. Once inside the ornamental gardens this is the beautiful view that meets you. The fountains were not flowing, and gave us such a wonderful reflection.

Delhi calling!

(Old post that never was published, those early days in India)

I can hardly believe that we've finally reached our last destination, a trip that indeed turned out to be a Great adventure. I've said it loud a couple of times to myself, and even to Ingrid, India, imagine, we are in India!
The update has been terrible, so now I'll try my best to share a piece of India with you.

As you may know, me and Ingrid have been travelling for the past three months, started with one month in China, and since the cold, grey November days, we escaped the harsh winter, coldness and snow to warm and sunny days. We spent three weeks in Vietnam, two in Cambodia, ten days in Laos, two weeks in Thailand, 10 days in Nepal, three days ago, we arrived in New Delhi, a city that can't be compared to anything we've seen before. The chaos on the street that evolves from the cars, tuk tuks, cyclos and yeah, the holy cows on the street, that do not seem to bother anyone at all, daily life as the Indians would say.
So far my brain has been able to handle the new environment,  but believe me when I say that India is beyond explanation, the following month is indeed going to be very interesting.

Photo taken by Gus