India has never been on top of my must-do-list. But after visiting it, I can only shout: go there!! It appears that you or adore the country or you just hate it. I’m in the first category, but I have to admit there were days I loved and hated it at the same time. India surprised me with its many different sides, of whom I didn’t know they existed. So here 17 reasons why you should visit India.
I love the weekends in New Zealand. A break from daily life – which is already pretty awesome – and a big hug with nature. I live in Christchurch, which doesn’t have the nicest citycenter, but it has the best location on the South Island. You are close to everything. A couple of hours driving and you’re in Arthurs Pass, a bit further and you’re in Lewis pass and on the West Coast. North there is Kaikoura and south Dunedin and the Catlins. So many options.
The Maldives are a paradise. The white beaches, the blue ocean and the sunny weather make it the perfect holiday destination. But it will cost you an arm and a leg.
At least that’s what I thought.
India? Ok, why not!
When planning where to go in the world, I mostly let my gut feeling decide. If I hear mind blowing stories about a country, it will probably end up on my list. To be honest, India was not on my list. So many countries where I wanted to go and India wasn’t one of them.
But then came that email, an invitation of my high school girlfriend. She announced that she’s marrying her Indian boyfriend, first in Belgium and then in India. I smiled when I got the invitation, I knew immediately what was going to happen. I’m going to INDIA. At that moment I was in Australia and India was not in my ‘schedule’, I had to figure some stuff out, but when you have an opportunity like that, you grab it with both hands.
I’m writing these words from a sunny café in Christchurch, New Zealand. This week I went indoor climbing, rock climbing and to the ballet. Tomorrow I’m going canyoning. I tell to myself, life is pretty good.
I can’t believe how fast time flies. One year and a half ago I quit my job to travel. Bye vtm– newsroom, bye family and friends and bye good life. I’m ready for an even better life. Looking back on all those things I’ve done I get a warm fuzzy feeling inside. I challenged myself to go travelling alone, I met great people, did crazy stuff and saw beautiful things. Of course there are lonely and sad moments, but after a while you’re not afraid of those anymore and they only make you stronger.
I like beer. Coming from Belgium, I can actually say I like it a lot. So I was a bit surprised what I found on the countryside in New Zealand.
New Zealand is known for its good wines, but beer-wise it isn’t yet as far. If you like wine tasting, this country is the place, go to Napier on the North Island or Marlborough on the South Island or many more. That’s what my friends and I did. Enjoying the sun in the Marlborough region, eating great salmon and lamb and sipping on wines. A regular weekend turned into a holiday.
We were happily on our way to the third winery when we saw a sign: ‘Moa Brewery and Cellar Door”. Bye bye wine, hello beer!
I didn’t have high expectations for Calcutta. Mostly because it is a really big city, with its 4,5 million inhabitants. I had also just arrived from the calmer and more educated south, so I didn’t know what to expect.
Indian drivers are crazy. Sorry for the stereotyping, but in this case it is true.
My second road trip by motorbike has come to an end.. When I think about it I start smiling big time and think: monkeys! Elephaaaants! Mountains!
India is a vibrant place with lots of things happening. I love exploring all the things it has to offer, but sometimes I also look for a bit of rest and peace. Especially when I’m travelling for a longer time.
I tried to find that peace in a botanical garden in India. Well… don’t go to a botanical garden in India. From the second the boyfriend and I sat down in the grass, people came over en masse. “Sir, Madam, Photo please?”
The first time it is funny and we have a laugh; but when they keep coming you start to wonder if you will ever get that rest!
