☮▲ Paparazzibecka.

architectural astronomy at Jantar Mantra & Hawa Mahal - JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Exploring busy Jaipur with all it's history. Getting my architectural astronomy on at Jantar Mantra.

 

It's the "equinoctial sundial, consisting a gigantic triangular gnomon with the hypotenuse parallel to the Earth's axis. On either side of the gnomon is a quadrant of a circle, parallel to the plane of the equator. The instrument is intended to measure the time of day, correct to half a second and declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies.

There are four Jantar Mantar monuments in India, of which the largest is in Jaipur which features many instruments along with the world's largest stones sundial."

And of course I had to gaze up at the great Hawa Mahal, or "Place of Winds". Tt was essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivities while unseen from the outside. Not enough? Oh yeah, there's one of the best street chais I've had in India. And I've had quit a bit chai there.

 

farm family & holi sunrise trekking - PUSHKAR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- As I look though these and so many more photos I'm getting all warm in my heart and my eyes are filling up with tears. There's no words for how much love India and it's people got to offer. No matter where I am I still got more family dinners and open arms to go to. People are opening up their homes and hearts for me in every new city and town as I continue to explore the holi country.

I can't believe that this was around 5 months ago already. Oh, how time flies away...

Some of my favourite things to do while I'm on the road is to follow the sun, literally. I love to wake up before sunrise to then watch, from some amazing place, how magical and powerful the universe and mother nature is.
At the photos above you can see the view from a holi hill in Pushkar one very early and cold morning.

 

villages & babas - PUSHKAR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- My new local friends from the slum showed me the place where the famous "Alu baba" lived and I had the chance to meet him over a cup of sweet chai. Later during the afternoon a friend from the village took me and my friend to his village friends and their home and garden to teach me about the life of living out in the nature with no wifi, electricity and with beautiful organic growing vegetables.

 

saris & local livin' - PUSHKAR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- I went back to the slum one day to meet my Rajasthani friends and their family for a bit. Guess if they got exited and enthusiastic when one of them came up with the idea to dress me in the family's most beautiful and fancy sari? Oh my, there was so much fuss, hands everywhere helping and dressing me. And sooo much giggling too! We had such a blast. One of the girls from the gypsy family also showed me her wedding photo. And yes, that's what you can see at the first photo. She was 3 and the boy next to her was 5. HOW CRAZY?!

 

The day after me and a European friend of mine I met in the desert earlier went hitchhiking to a delicious healthy breakfast places we found on TripAdvisor (a backpacker/travel guide).
And the old man on the last photo had fun talking to me in the little Hindi I'd spoken and said that he'll be happy to marry me if I ever wanted. Thank god, I've got a plan B if I end up single with no kids in my 30's! Hahaha...

 

cooking night in the slum and luxury in the day - PUSHKAR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Sunset walks to the holi hills, cooking in the slum and chapati making during the evening and fancy places, shopping and chilling during the day with buisness folks.

 

living with the locals - JAISALMER, RAJASTHAN.

 

- The day came when I left the desert, the beautiful camels and lovely Jaisalmer. The night bus took me east inlands to the magical little Pushkar..!

 

sleeping under the stars - JAISALMER, RAJASTHAN.

 

- When the sun went down to show us the stars, we started making sweet chai and dinner. The night ended with guitar, singing and a open fire.
As the sun rises again the morning after I was the first one to wake up with the camels. Chilly, peaceful and soft freshness spread out in the air I breathe in. It took me a second or two to realize where I've woken up and just as I did a big smile appeared on my lips.

 

desert life - JAISALMER, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Continuing the long walk in the desert I got filled up with lovely meetings with locals, wild camel men who didn't know how to write or read, stories of the desert and discovering the desert villages and their breathtaking history.

 

village visit - JAISALMER, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Oh how I've been longing for a little adventure in the desert near Pakistan. Days without any electricity, wifi, mobiles or anything. Only what's pure made at the moment but us and mother nature. How amazing isn't it?

I left the city to get out in the desert. Dromedary camels, soft sun, the smell of the sand and these beautiful creatures were my daily caffeine.

 

the city of desert - JAISALMER, RAJASTHAN.

 

- After a long, dirty bus ride all night long me and some people I got to know on the way, finally arrived in Jaisalmer. The city of desert and safaris. A few cups of sweet masala chai, breakfast and check-in, and we were ready to explore the place.

 

 

night rides to new places - JAISELMER, RAJASTHAN.

 

- The night came. I was ready for the new places to explore. Driving away in a night bus, leaving Udaipur behind and all new local friends I made. But there was only one thing in my mind. Don't look back, new doors are opening for you. All you need is a open heart, mind and soul. And so I went.
Towards the desert city..

 

exploring the lakes - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- A stranger took me to some secret places.
He showed me some of mother natures work and led me to another soul.
Another stranger with another heart to open up.
To show me everything he knew and to let me in to the most important things in his life.
I ask myself everyday why not everyone is like that.
I know I'm one of those who's not like that, yet.
But I learn everyday more and more. In the future my heart will be as open as his.

 

the one and only rooftop pool - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN.

- One day I gazed out from the rooftop of the hostel I was staying in (Zostel) in Udaipur and discovered a rooftop pool. I walked down the small lanes lear the lake to find it and there it was.
The only rooftop pool in Udaipur and with this amazing view. I could stay there for ever... Days when it was super hot and I felt like enjoy myself a bit more I went to the hotel, paid 200 rupees and could hang out there how long I wanted. There a bit of wifi too.

After hanging out with the owner I realized that this wasn't only the only hotel with rooftop pool, but also one of the places where the movie "The Marigold Hotel" was made. A american comedy about India and it's beauty. One of the inspiration to my adventure in this grand country.

 

small lanes of life & history - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Small cozy lanes, history on ever inch, lights, colors and smells. Lakes surrounded by the Rajasthani life. Udaipur definitely gave my heart a double jump at first sight.

 

my words from the gardens - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Udaipur,

Close to the water but far from the bay.

The gardens took my breath away.

The sunset made my eyes glitter.

The mind titter.

The flowers filled my heart.

And the city filled my soul.

A place to let go of the control.

 

exploring the tops - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Adventure and exploring with a big hearted indian friend. He showed me it all and gave me more than I could dream of. Days flew away under the Rajasthani sun...

 

arriving in the royal magic of Rajashtan - UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN.

 

- Arriving in the most magical city as the train entered Rajasthan. Beauty in every way and it's only the beginning. Udaipur, you're royal fine thing.

 

oh holy town - UJJAIN, MADHYA PRADESH.

 

- A crazy bus trip to a small holy town filled with heaps of beautiful temple in Ujjain. Days spent here teaches you nothing more than the deepest of the lifestyle in religious and spiritual India.
Sometimes the most random places ends up being one of the best ones.

 

the town with the answers - UJJAIN, MADHYA PRADESH.

 

Last photos from holy Ujjain. This is a 100% Indian experience. Travel to and from with bus and local train. Hang out with locals and learn to speak Hindi. Watch a elephant casually walk past you, the colorful saris dancing on the womens bodies. Drink sweet street chai while people watching Indians from all over the country prepare themselves for making there wishes and blessings at the temples, the noise, smells, curious eyes. And I'll promise you no white skinned people, no touristy markets, no wifi and almost no one speaks even a bit of english.
Ujjain, you made my heart and soul take a step up to a higher level of consciousness and understanding.
Your energy helped me to understand some of the biggest question I've had in life.
Namasté beautiful place.

 

free from work - SURAT, GUJARAT.

 

- Last part from one crazy work weekend in Surat, Gujarat with my british girl Helena before heading back to Mumbai.
Oh what a amazing experience. Thank you to every single person who shared some fun moments with me during these days.