Best day so far?

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Luana

So I believe that today has been one of the best days since I started my trip in India. It all started off with me walking 10 minutes to the main road to get a tuk tuk with the intention of seeing such sights like Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Narhargarh and the Monkey Temple (Galta & Surya Mandir). When I got to a location where there were plenty of tuk tuk’s, I obviously spoke to each in order to haggle a good price to rent one for the whole day. Unfortunately, I was unable to get one to Read more [...]

Elephant rides with my Prince Ali

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Luana

Bus trip to Amber Palace – Jaipur

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Luana

So today I decided that instead of haggling for a tuk tuk to take me around to each sight for around 300 Rupees, to get a bus instead. I had yet to get a bus in India and so was willing to take full advantage of being alone and having the world as my oyster. The bus cost me 50 Rupees (which I thought was an absolute rip off) though buses aren't something you can easily haggle with. In regards to tuk tuk journeys, a high price means that you are able to grunt and do the 'Whaaaat?! How much?? No! Read more [...]

Thinking too much!!

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Luana

So, after my most recent 'blog' (although really I see this as more of a Dear Diary type thing that really only I will be reading back on in the future) I have had a crazy moment of thinking. Pure thinking. The bad kind. The thing which I was meant to do less. I had 2 hours or so where I started worrying about stupid things. Things which don't yet matter and should not even be considered a topic for worrying about at this point in time. Things like 'Where am I going next? How long will I be in Read more [...]

Chilling in Jaipur

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Luana

So I've had all of yesterday and most of today to just chill out. And honestly there was a part of me that thought I would wake up thinking 'What am I doing here? Why am I here? Why do I feel so alone? Why am I not enjoying my own sole company?' But none of these questions are being asked by myself. I am currently singing songs from 'Train' as loud as ever. I've been taking advantage of the fact that I'm not having to share my dorm or my bathroom by walking around unclothed and showering with Read more [...]

Arrived in Jaipur

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Luana

Another early morning train. Another long 5 hour journey. But finally I arrive in Jaipur for 10am. I then get a taxi to my hostel to which I find that I am completely alone. There is no one else here apart from the Indian family who own it and their cleaners. It's strange but I am actually quite grateful to be able to have my own space to be able to catch up on sleep, relax, read and do some writing. When I was 17/18 and travelling Brazil alone, I did it because I WANTED to travel alone. In Read more [...]

Taj Mahal

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Luana

After literally no sleep, we awoke at 5am to be able to see the Taj Mahal for sunrise. I bumped into another English guy which then became another member of our Agra crew. It was at this point that I realised how much I adore the English. When you travel you meet such great people all over the world, but somehow you just manage to have the most in common with the people from the same country as yourself. I think that sarcasm is the main reason for this, as fellow Englishmen are able to understand Read more [...]

Agra

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Luana

Wednesday 11th, I left my hostel in New Delhi at 5am (Yawn!) so that I was able to walk to find myself a Tuk Tuk to haggle with to take me to the train station. Half way to my destination and the driver has the cheek to pick up another random Indian man to share with!! With it being so early, myself being tired and the fact that I had only been in India for a week I was not very happy about this and slightly concerned. Turns out the man spoke very good English and was actually quite friendly. (Which Read more [...]

Old Delhi, New Delhi

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Luana

So altogether I have been able to spend 5 days in Delhi. Jumping from old to new via tuk tuks, walking and their useful metro system. Obviously living in London beforehand meant that I HAD to try theirs and compare the differences. I went assuming that nothing could compare to the English underground system though I was actually wrong. There is plenty more space on the underground in India. Another great aspect of it is that they have 'women only' carriages which I think is fantastic. Especially Read more [...]

Namasté

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Luana

So my first cultural speaking attempt was obviously to be the word 'Namasté'. On my way up North with the guys, we stopped at a petrol station for water, crisps and a toilet trip. Upon entering the ladies toilet, I was greeted by a random female who I can only assume to have been the toilet attendant. She put her hands together and did the polite 'Namasté'. I of course copied these actions and then went into my cubicle. I then had to do the classy thing of both feet apart balancing over Read more [...]

Luana's Trip to Asia