Namaste in India

Finally !! Am going to write about my traveling experience ;) I chose India to start as this is one of my most enriching moments. Have always wanted to visit one of the 7 wonders of the world, Taj Mahal - Temple of Love. How sweet is that name <3

For those who would like to visit India one day, I highly recommend you to hire a driver to bring you around. Trust me, this is so much easier and much safer. We paid EUR210 for a driver to take us around the entire 6days in a Tata Indigo (medium range car). That's really a good price, the driver is with us from the start of the day till we retire back to our room.

First stop after 3.5hrs drive straight from Delhi airport to Agra.

Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah - Yamuna River, Agra,

Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb is a Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Often described as 'jewel box'. The tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Tāj Mahal, sometimes people call it the "Baby Taj"! I'll let you judge if it resembles the Taj Mahal ;)

That's how it looks inside

That's one lovely piece of work !!

Next up on my planning, highlight of this trip - the masterpiece !

No jokes guys, I literally held my breath standing in front of this beauty!! Am not sure I did justice by putting this picture but it is just magnificent! Being here, how could we not talk about the touching love story behind one of the best UNESCO world heritage site.

Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Shah Jahan, emperor during the period of greatest prosperity, was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian princess, died during the birth of their 14th child. Yes Right, 14th ;p

The plinth and tomb took roughly 12 years to complete. The remaining parts of the complex took an additional 10 years and were completed in order of minarets, mosque and jawab, and gateway. It was constructed using materials from all over India and Asia and over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials. A labour force of twenty thousand workers was recruited across northern India. The guide told us that in order to prevent replication, an order was given to chop off the hands of 20,000 workers. OMG !!

The gate to enter Taj Mahal

Emperor Shah described the Taj in these words....
Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.

Best way to end a day filled with love is to have dinner in the most romantic and luxury hotel in Agra, Oberoi Amarvilas - Esphehan.

This is indeed an amazing hotel...

Never judge a dish by its looks, this is amazingly delicious!! Greenish paste came from asparagus and broccoli

Before going to India, I never liked Indian food. After this first night, I never looked back. Haha !!

I want you to draw me like one of your french girls, wearing this, wearing only this.... :p

On the road again, making our way to Jaipur.

On the way to Jaipur, we made a stop at Fatehpur Sikri

My shoes are super comfy... 13pound from ASOS and it's made in Italy.. !!

Welcome to India !!

Last stop before arriving in Jaipur is to visit the Abhaneri Stepwell. Stepwells are wells or ponds in which the water may be reached by descending a set of steps. They may be covered and protected and are often of architectural significance. They also may be multi-storied having a bullock which turns the water wheel to raise the water in the well to the first or second floor. They are most common in western India. This is really interesting for me ;)

L

It was a long and tiring day, we totally deserve another amazing dinner at Rambagh Palace, Suvarna Mahal.

The cute waiter

That's how it looks in the restaurant, super posh !!

Printed jeans from ASOS

The water palace

Amber Fort and Palace

Next up is one of my favorite part, getting up close and personal with the gentle giants ;)

Gonna look pretty before riding on them ;)

So... How do I look ?? ;)

Now its time to show my talent.. haha.. Ingredients used are all made from plants, no harm to my friends ;)

Tada !!!

Time to say bye to my lovely friends!!

How is my OOTD ;) Top - from India market

Galta Gorge - Sun Temple

Ended our trip with a great dinner at the Bukhara restaurant (rated one of the restaurant to dine in before you die), even Bill Clinton has been there before!! Try it when you are in Delhi next time !

Little surprise from him.. So sweet !!

My trip to India was back in 2012, last night in Delhi was also when the tragic gang rape happened. It kind of scares me when I think about it, especially with all other incidents which followed after. Having said that, people I met throughout the trip are all nice and friendly. Working hard each day trying to make ends meet, trying to survive and trying to maintain their families. It was truly an experience visiting India, to see the extreme ends of rich versus the poor living in 1 country.
The only regret I have is that we didn't managed to visit Gandhi Smriti, the great teacher of all time.

The world would be a better place if we have more people like him. As he says:

“There are Seven Deadly Social Sins:
Politics without principle.
Wealth without work.
Commerce without morality.
Pleasure without conscience.
Education without character.
Science without humility.
Worship without sacrifice.”

Hope you like my travel post ;) If you are traveling to India and would like some tips, feel free to drop me a message !! Till the next one, wishing you guys an early HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR ! GONG XI FA CAI !  Xoxo