I WAITED UNTIL THE LAST SECOND BEFORE RETURNING TO DELHI. Delhi still gives me nightmares and although the monuments are worth visiting, the city is too wearisome for a foreign traveler. On my last day in India,  I already had plans for my next visit brewing in my head. Due to the floods, I did…Read more Day 32 [Delhi] Last But Not Least

THE TAJ MAHAL IS ONE OF THE PLACES THAT ONE SHOULD VISIT ONCE IN A LIFETIME. Its entrance ticket costs a whooping Rs 750 for foreigners (Rs 20 for Indians), but even an hour in it should worth all the money, time and effort. Inspiration to many, Taj Mahal is an architectural wonder that leaves…Read more Day 31 [Agra] Once In A Lifetime

I AM SOMEWHAT INTIMIDATED BY THE THOUGHT OF VISITING FATEHPUR SIKRI, THE FORTIFIED GHOST CITY. Who knows if it is really haunted? The bus arrived at the main bazaar of this city during a heavy shower, with half of the town ankle-deep in water. Already 2pm in the afternoon, I wasted no time, and started…Read more Day 30 [Fatehpur Sikri] Overcoming Fear

JAIPUR, THE PINK CITY, IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE CITY OF VICTORY. With only two more days to go before I finish my India trip, I am ready to claim my victory against this confusing country. Now a cheeky traveler, I always get rooms Rs 50-100 cheaper than the starting price, and souvenirs at half…Read more Day 29 [Jaipur] Victorious Me

JAIPUR, ALSO KNOWN AS THE PINK CITY, RECEIVED MUCH CONFUSION ON ITS STREET when the odd-looking trio take in all its main attractions. Emilie, a Belgian French and his Senegali French boyfriend, Gueye are an uncommon couple. "Black and white?" the people would say when they see them holding hands, "This is impossible!". With me…Read more Day 28 [Jaipur] White, Black, Yellow And Pink

SURYA NAGAR IS A SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL AREA IN JAIPUR, which I did not left for the whole day. After arriving 6am in Jaipur. I took a tuk-tuk to Sunny's house in Surya Nagar. My stay at Sunny's place would be my first offical stay at a Couchsurfer's home with the family. Having high expectations for…Read more Day 27 [Surya Nagar] The Big Bhang

LAST DAY IN UDAIPUR BUT I HAVE YET TO FALL IN LOVE. Maybe the lake is not magical after all. Or maybe I am not trying hard enough? Instead of spending time with people, I sat at the lakeside cafe for hours. With an order of 7-Ip (the only drink I can afford), surfed the…Read more Day 26 [Udaipur] Eye-ing For Red

"My name is Pratap, I come from the village of Nathdwara, district of Rajsamand, state of Rajasthan," said the boy in his late teens sitting in front of me. Before I start on my long introduction, he continued, " I study agriculture," in typical Indian English, "and cultivation in India iss good." "We have many agriculture,"…Read more Day 25 [Kumbhalgarh] Of Fields And Forts

THE MONSOON BRINGS RAIN, BUT RAIN BRINGS DIFFERENT MEANING IN DIFFERENT PLACES. While Delhi and Ladakh suffer from floods and landslides, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur celebrate the end of a nine year drought with tall millet fields and full wells. The romantic city of Udaipur blooms best during monsoon. The lakes are full and the banks…Read more Day 24 [Udaipur] Let It Rain

IMAGINE WAKING UP BY A LAKE DURING SUNRISE. Isn't it romantic? My sleeper bus took me from Jodhpur to Udaipur in 7 hours. This one-and-a-half decker bus has normal seats with sleeping compartments above them. My bus was full and I was lucky enough to get the first sleeper seat at the front, good for…Read more Day 23 [Udaipur] Romantic And Friendly