Author Archives: Luana

Bus trip to Amber Palace – Jaipur

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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!!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 [...]

Random Roadtrip up North with Robbie and Chris

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You arrive at a hostel…Have a few drinks with other travellers and end up all jokingly agreeing to tagging along to a fellow 2 English lads and their trip up north for a night. Information passed on to us: Length of time to travel there (and then again back) via our hired Indian taxi driver – 4 hours each way Length of actual time to travel there (and then again back) – 8 hours each way Cost of visiting the Corbett National Tiger Reserve Park – R$ 1,000 Actual amount to visit Read more [...]

Hello India!

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So I finally arrive safe and soundly in Delhi and 30 minutes after an awkward Hind-glish conversation my taxi man took me to my hostel. I didn’t quite know what to expect. I’d obviously heard stories and watched films regarding their 'interesting' driving but to see it in person was spectacular! A simple dual carriageway would mean that THREE/FOUR lanes were to be created by users rather than just their suggested two. Throughout the 40 minute journey there were ‘Don’t hoot’ signs. But with Read more [...]