In Incredible India

Heyoooo 'a la sunny in pihladelphia'

First of all, numbers, exclamation marks, parentheses etc doesn't work on this keyboard, basically all the keys on top of the letters, so I am excited about stuff, it's just that I can't produce any exclamation marks. 'How about smileys, duuuh'. Well, don't like using smileys here on ze blog, and that wouldn't work either, parentheses remember? duuuuh

Anyhoo, I'm in India *exclamation mark*. Robbie and I landed in Chennai/Madras on Monday Sep 6th, and have managed to work ourselves through Chennai, Bangalore, Hampi, Panjari/Panjim in Goa *parenthesis* planned to stay on the north beaches for a couple of days, but monsoon season ain't over yet *parenthesis*, and Mumbai. We went different ways after Mumbai, as we have different dates for flying back home. Robbie headed up to Ahmedabad, and I'm currently in fairy-tale Udaipur, will leave for Agra and Taj Mahal tomorrow night, then Varanasi with the ghats on Friday, then a 27 hr monster train journey back to Mumbai on Sunday. And hopefully the weather will be better in Goa by then, as I'm ending my 2 months traveling by chilling and doing absolutely nothing *parenthesis* well, maybe some paragliding *parenthesis*, until I fly back to London on Sun Sep 26th. If it's raining, it won't matter, I'll just relax, read some books and try to realise what I want to do with my life.

So far:

Chennai: Didn't spend much time there, but quite chaotic and dirty.

Bangalore: Not much time here either, just a pit stop to Hampi, but the afternoon there was lovely, checked out some bazaars and smoked sheesha in a funky chinese place. My camera got stolen in Sri Lanka one of the last days *parenthesis* with like 800 pictures from the trip! *parenthesis* so i bought an identical one here for a cheaper price than back home in Sweden *exclamation mark*

Hampi: One of the favourites so far! Old ancient town with loads of temples and magnificent surroundings *parenthesis* weirdly shaped rocks on the hills everywhere *parenthesis*. We rented bicycles to go around and it was absolutely lush *exclamation mark*

Panji, Goa: Picturesque old Portuguese town, perfect to spend a day and recharge batteries after   bus journey. Even found some old Indians who still spoke Portuguese *exclamation mark*

Mumbai: Didn't think I would like it, would be a too busy city, like Chennai, but it was ordered chaos. Awesome architectural blend of old Victorian, Art Deco, and Indian. Great places, Marine drive by the sea, and wicked pub culture. Mumbai definitely surprised me 

Udaipur: Little fairy-tale city *parenthesis* They shot Octopussy here, and some restaurants still show re-runs of it, ha *parenthesis*. Beautiful, but a bit hectic on the little roads around the main ghats. Just came back form a really cool dance show. Will do a little boat trip around the lake tomorrow.

What I genuinely love so far:

Trains. So comfortable, epic views, and I just can't help myself from buying everything the guys run around selling on the aisles.

Chai. Might possibly be addicted to it.

Food. I miss Sri Lankan food, but luckily Indian food is a good competitor.

The people. Except most rickshaw drivers

Colours. Clothes, buildings, food - everything 

Things I don't like so far:

Bureaucracy: I need to register within fourteen days after arriving in India to the Foreign Registration Office, but it's literally impossible, every new office in different city either don't want to do it, or ask for additional ridiculous papers, copies, form etc everytime. The fourteen days are almost running out and I'm worrying that I won't get it done in time and possibly be stuck in India. Haha  *nervous laughter*


Long-distance buses. Unbelievably uncomfy. Luckily have none left.


More updates and pictures will probably come soon. Miss a lot of stuff back home, but at the same time don't want to end the traveling. Mixed feelings. Hope everyone is well *exclamation mark