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

One day baby, we'll be old and think about the stories we could have told.

Two days into the new year, I can't believe how fast the past year has gone. I'm really grateful for all the adventures and travels I was I able to do during 2012 ,everything that came with it, the good, the bad, the wonderful people and all that I learned and that inspired me. In many ways 2012 has been one of the years I'll remember the most so far. I was challenged, I had fun, I cried, panicked at times, but I got myself through it with people I love, and even though I've still got a long way to go, I'm learning to be brave and strong(er) day by day.

It's a new year, which also means a clean slate, a chance to try new things, believe and embrace it all. After having a nice Christmas, first one at home in three years, and a great New Years Eve with wonderful people, I'm really going to try to embrace and love this year. Hey there 2013, bring on the adventures!

My Camera was happy at home, gotta' change that next time, all pics from last years New Years, in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Vietnam, same same but different

Since I've actually worked my last day for the season, I guess it's fair to say that summer officially is over. Closed chapter. The new adventures that await is fun stuff like the theoretical part of getting a driving license and of course, the driving itself. Yes, I've finally decided to do it, most of the time I find it pretty boring, and my biggest fear is to fail. I simply think of a few of my favourite things, travelling! Let's take a look at how Vietnam was.

Pretty brave move, Hanoi on the back of a motorbike. During our stay in the Capital we went to Ho Chi Minh Museum,One Pillar Pagoda, Ethnology Musuem, Temple of Literature, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Women Museum, St. Joseph Cathedral.

Ate street food.

Felt like a Pirate, sailing the seven seas in Halong Bay.

Explored the citadel in Hue with gardens and ceremonial wall  and the Forbidden Purple City. Took a dragon boat to see Thien Mu Pagoda, all this in the rain.

 Arrived in Hoi An, fell in love with the food.

Ate amazing food  with names as Cao Lou, Banh Xeo fried wonton and white Rose. Above is Cao Lou, doughy flat noodles with croutons, bean sprouts and greens topped of with pork.

 Enjoyed some shopping at the markets by the lake.

 Ate cheap Cao Lau again for 4 Swedish Crowns, that's not even 1 dollar!

Celebrated New Years Eve by buying some lanterns and letting them float away with the past and wishes for the New Year.

Continued South to Nha Trang, Vietnam's beach capital, went to an awesome gallery, saw the Giant seating Buddha and met Aussies that told us that it's all about confidence, and introduced us to burning shots..

Continued to our last stop, Saigon also known as Ho Chi Minh City.

Went to the Mekong Delta, the tunnels, the War Remnants museum, before heading off to Cambodia.

Through my lens

4 countries, 5 sunsets

Jaipur, India, Monkey Temple. Spotted monkeys, goats, pigs and of course, a few Holy cows.

Chitwan, Nepal, ended our "jungle trek"  with this beautiful view.

Bangkok, Thailand. I fell in love, this is on our way back from Khao San Road.

Don Det, 4000 Islands, Laos. According to Little Eden, they had the best sunset view on the island. 

Who am I to disagree? The view was pretty amazing at Little Eden! You could think that one should get used to all the sunsets, but that's not the case. The amazing, warm colours is something that I really miss back home in Sweden, however, our endless summer nights are unbeatable

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