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A 22-day adventure by Wanderlust Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 6, 2016
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    Take off / Skrydis

    March 6, 2016 in India ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    I find long flights very instructive. You can learn how to accept the person snoring next to you and swear in 3 different languages at the same time. How properly disinfect toilet seat before using it as you don't want to get anything unexpected before you even landed. How to maneuver and not spill the coffee trying to put some clotted cream on a biscuit with the other hand. That you should choose different airlines if you flew with the same ones not long ago as there won't be any new movies to watch. How to wear two pairs of socks with summer sandals and not feel ashamed of it. How to do advanced level yoga on a seat trying to get comfortable. Three different sleeping positions in the most uncomfortable circumstances. Rethink this crazy fact that you're almost 32, society expect you to have a job, bank loan and kids (hopefully and the man included), but instead you just quit it all and go off to Somewhere. And finally - if you put underwear upside down it means nothing else but the good start of the day. As someone recently said - "Your beautiful adventure starts so soon". Tic tac yay, counting!

    As manau kad visi ilgi skrydziai yra labai pamokantys. Suzinai kaip nekreipti demesio i salia baaaisiai garsiai knarkianti zmogu. Kad reikia beprotiskai gerai isdezinfekuoti tualeto sedyne pries ja naudojantis. Kaip neispilti kavos tuo paciu bandant uzsitepti dzemo ant sausainelio. Kad geriau rinktis kokia kita oro bendrove ir neskrist su ta pacia per daug daznai nes dar nebus pakeite filmu repertuaro ir neturesi ka ziureti. Kaip nesioti dvi poras kojiniu su vasarinemis basutemis ir del to nesujti galvos. Kaip uzsiimti joga rangantis ant kedes. Kaip isigudrinti miegoti trijomis skirtingomis pozomis paciomis nepatogiausiomis aplinkybemis. Pergalvoti fakta kad tuo metu kai visuomene tikisi jog turesi darba, banko paskola ir vaiku (dar geriau jei ir vyras iskaiciuotas), vietoj to tu tiesiog meti viska ir iskeliauji Kazkur. Ir galiausiai - kad isvirksciai uzsideti triusikai nereiskia nieko kito kaip tik gera dienos pradzia. Kaip kazkas neseniai pasake - "Tu jau tuoj tuoj pradesi si nepakartojama nuotyki". Skaiciuoju minutes, yay!    Read more

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    Lazy day is also a day

    March 8, 2016 in India ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    What can be better when everything goes by the plan? There is one thing - to have no plan! Waking up at midday, having breakfast with coffee at 2pm, falling asleep by the beach, finding the only ATM in town is broken and the only shop selling SIM cards is closed, having honey-lime-cinnamon pancake for lunch at 7pm, and feeling cold if it gets below +30. Agonda beach for another two days, 7 hour train to Hampi on Friday morning. "Where is my Kingfisher beer?"- the biggest question to be raised now.

    Kas gali buti geriau nei tai kad viskas vyksta pagal plana? Ogi netureti jokio plano! Atsikelti vidurdieni, sukirst savo iprasta kiausiniene su kava 14val, uzmigti prie juros, nuspresti issigryninti kazkiek pinigu ir rasti vienintele grynuju pinigu masina sugedusia, nukulniuoti iki parduotuves, prekiaujancios SIM kortelemis, ir rasti ja uzdaryta, uzsisakyti blyneli su citrina-medumi-cinamonu " pietums" kurie kazkodel uzsitese iki 19val, pasiskusti kad jau salta jei lauke temperatura nukrenta zemiau nei +30.. Pasiliksiu Agonda beach (Simrose Agonda viesbutuke) dar dvi dienas, o penktadienio ryta - 7val kelione traukiniu I kita miestuka, Hampi.    Read more

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    Burn, girls, burn at Galgibaga beach

    March 9, 2016 in India ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    "Let's go to remote beach where noone can find us, yay!". An hour later - "Why there is no tourists and those Indian men surrounding us? Shall we go?". Yay... We didn't get proper rest, though we found the magic place where for £3 you can get oysters, crab with chips and salad, and few soft drinks. (Seriously - I haven't seen any place where you could get 7 fresh oysters for £1 and freshly cooked crab for £2!). Would definitely come back to Galgibaga aka Turtle beach (just full bikini next time). And some live music for the end of the day. Israelian+Russian+Italian can sound perfectly fine. Music has no language.Read more

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    Always coca Cola

    March 10, 2016 in India ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    So I had it in December and had another one now. Guess what? You're absolutely right - leaving dinner in Simrose Agonda! No lobsters this time, but still something fishy. And another great day at the beach before leaving. 15min away with tuk tuk and there you are - Cola beach is waiting for you. Beautiful, cozy, clean, sun friendly (thank you for my bright red face now). And another round of applause goes to my lovely masseur Alfonsa from BioVeda for her amazing hands putting me into sleep each time I'm there. Not the first, not the last time I say this - but I will definitely miss you, Agonda.. Deimante, Binesh, Kathrin, Andy, Alexandria, all guys from Simrose - I will see you somewhere, somehow.Read more

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    Independence day differently

    March 11, 2016 in India ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    So I planned to go to Hampi. Booked train tickets, accommodation, paid deposit, marked on Google maps hundred temples I need to see, agree with Vilma she is joining on this trip, had a leaving party yesterday and.. Spent the night in bathroom. At 5.20 I was still not sure what to do and then she said "listen to what your hear say". So I am staying in Agonda for few more days. Someone doing the hair, someone bringing medicine, someone trying to put the smile on - oh life, do you want to teach me how to relax and stop planning? Ok, I'll listen to you this time.

    (Photo below - breakfast, lunch, dinner).    Read more

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    Leaving dinner No 2

    March 12, 2016 in India ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    After the first unsuccessful attempt for me to leave we had another leaving party few days later. This time had to say goodbye to Deima and Binesh who now finished the season and swapped golden Agonda's sand to daily massages in Thailand (before heading back to Berlin). Lovely dinner with all Simrose guys, another day at the beach and loooots of swimming for me, little trial which Kulfeez ice cream is the best (still not sure, need few more..:), and more hugs before going to Mumbai. I hope to see you all next season, Simrose?..Read more

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    Show me your Bollywood

    March 15, 2016 in India ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    The worst scenario apparently faded like a wind in the heat - India's trains actually are better than I imagined. Except of 2 boys starting at me for 10 hours and 1 unfriendly man there was nothing to worry about. Food delivered every few hours (OK, I need to admit it was the worst I have ever tried, and all juices were expired in January 2016), but leaving this on side it was clean, tidy and cool. So after easy 10 hour journey I'm finally in Mumbai! (Though not sure finally or not as the first impression gone over all my expectations:) None stop beeping, cars and scooters everywhere around, crowds of people, beggars, rubbish, and seriously - haven't seen a single tourist in 4 hours since I'm here. Hotel (Empire Hotel) seems to be OK, just really interesting condition - they put me in "relax" room today as a first day treat, will take to my room tomorrow morning (??). Staying in Mumbai until 18th March - oh dear, hopefully tomorrow will be a new better day and long trousers plus hooded top won't be needed. I'm ready for you, Bollywood!Read more

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    Hurting and dancing feet

    March 15, 2016 in India ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    So I was wrong - long trousers / dress and hood is needed, especially if you're blond European and the only thing you want is to walk unnoticed. People staring, waving, smiling, analysing - hello big city life! The first impression of Mumbai? Noise, rubbish, too many cars, more men than women and Uber (that's the best discovery for today). Walked miles and miles, can't even feel my feet properly. The best impression of south Mumbai - areas called Cuffe Parade, Colaba. Marine drive is also nice for a long scroll before the sunset. Nice little treat if you're tired of the city and want to hide for an hour or two is NCPA - National Centre for Performing Arts. Unfortunately after watching Saahas (national Kathak performance) I realised that I still need to work on my future in Bollywood. Indians are for sure masters of funny / interesting / professional dancing, facial expressions, telling the story with their hands, and creating the drama whether it should be or not. Time for sleep and getting ready for tomorrow!Read more

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    Bye bye, Mumbai

    March 18, 2016 in India ⋅ 🌫 27 °C

    Talking to children, smiling at women, ignoring the men - that's the main rule learned in Mumbai. Also that fruits from the street vendors and ice cubes in juice should be highly avoided. Enough rules, let's talk about Mumbai. So it's my last day in this city, and after 4 days here I can say that I could probably even live here. Still way too noisy for me, and the marine drive walk stink too much, but in overall pretty nice city (especially south of it). Yesterday was another day of walking - Crawford market full of food and clothes, Jehangir art gallery (with the strangest baby ganesha paintings, which are actually babies with elephant trunks..), quick snack and beer at one of the most iconic cafes in Mumbai - Cafe Mondegar, and Gateway of India Mumbai for sunset. Today I met two great guys, Federico and Mukut, went to Dhobi Ghat, so called open air laundromat, visited veeeery popular Leopold cafe, and popped in to see what do they have in one of the vintage (or ex thief) markets in Mumbai. The impressing number - Mumbai population is around 5 times bigger than whole Lithuania's, it's the 9th biggest city in the world.. And yes, it has it all - lots of beggars, dirt, surprises, expensive shops, cheap eateries, night clubs, all diversity you could imagine.. Probably will be enough of Mumbai for now, Delhi belly - I'm coming to see (and avoid) you tomorrow!Read more

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    No spitting allowed

    March 18, 2016 in India ⋅ 🌫 27 °C

    What I found these few days - India is like Michael Jackson (Black&White) plus 50 shades of grey combined together. So Delhi met me with the biggest scam ever. On arrival to the train station I was told Tourist information bureau and Ticket office was moved to another building, shown the ID proving this man is from government, and even when I refused to believe and still kept on looking for the ticket office, I was again told the same story but by someone else what seemed to be even more suspicious. They fiercely tried not to let me go through, so obviously I lost the temper, called my hotel manager to check with him what's going on, and was confirmed the bureau is still there. Long story short I spent almost two hours in that crazy train station sorting my train tickets out. Delhi didn't leave good picture I should admit. Not because of the town - it's OK, and metro system is really good (loved 'Women only' carriages!), but mostly of the people - very dodgy, trying to scam you on each step, and more 'into your face' than in Mumbai. And also spitting - for some reason they do spit everywhere. Open the car window and spit outside, spit in public, spit in the restaurants, what's the deal with that spitting??? The other question is why men are so skinny, but have huuuge bellies? And the idea of urinating everywhere - whats wrong with you people? I saw probably 10 penises without my own will. Little alleys, parks, corner shops - pissing everywhere without even trying to hide this! And taking the photos of the tourists without bothering to ask. Sitting on the bench by the Lotus temple, checking the maps, when realised one the families just put their children around me and started taking the photos without even asking for my permission. Didn't even know how to react :) Good point of Delhi - the hotel was quiet and comfortable, with daily breakfast delivered to the room, and just outside the main bazar street - nice eateries around and meka for shopping. My little crazy wish was to have henna tattoo done (and I got it!:) Not the best quality, not the picture i wanted, but still good job for £1 :) Will come back to Delhi in the end of March, goodbye for now, time to pack stuff and get 11.45am train to Jaipur!Read more

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    Lovely jubbly Jaipur

    March 22, 2016 in India ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Pink City aka Jaipur missed me with a little heart attack when I almost missed my stop. First of all train journey was a little awkward when another girl approached me saying she was sold the same seat as me so we have to share.. Thankfully all was sorted within an hour (pretty quick counting in Indian time), and another 4 hours to Jaipur I had lovely time on catching up with House of cards :) Until the train stopped and I saw train station written.. Somehow I thought Jaipur should be the last stop so jumped out of the train just before the door closed. How was Jaipur? Can't say anything bad. Really beautiful Amber castle / fort, cheeky monkey temple on sunset, amazing hostel I would highly recommend to anyone (The moustache hostel), and lovely lady Larisa who I met on the way up to Monkey temple and extended our friendship until the next day when she got me seat on the same car heading to Agra. As I say - right people on the right time. Was a great evening and quick cheerful ride with her, Khan (Double trouble) and Sheikh (Cheeky monkey). Few new dishes tried -pachori for breakfast (pastry with mashed potato, onions, etc., again - too spicy for me), and soak cake (this one I guess is Bengali, really, really good even for me, who has no sweet teeth:). First impression of Agra is the same - way smaller and quieter than big cities visited before, but again can't avoid people starring at you, begging for rupees and asking for a photos together. And really strange hostel staying at.. Still not sure how I feel about that stay tonight... Shall I get my nasty face out and ask to move me somewhere else? Oh boy. Not very lovely jubbly indeed :)Read more

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    Ticking the list

    March 23, 2016 in India ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Your next destination - Agra. That's what my google maps said after I left Jaipur. And it was a nice choise indeed (not that I've seen a lot except of Taj Mahal or hostel to be honest..:) Noticed narrow streets doted in the old town, went to see Taj in the dark (but didn't succeed as they closed the park before the dark) from Mehtab Bagh park, and promised myself to wake up at 5 and visit Taj for sunrise. Though hostel community completely changed my plans and with few hours sleep managed to get to Taj just before 08:00, so still not too bad to avoid the crowds. Was I amazed by beauty of Taj? I definately was, really amazing creature, worth to see. Will I go back? Probably not, one time is enough. But would love to get back to Agra and stay another day or two just to explore the city. Loved the vibe at Sheroes hangout, got lost in the old town, almost fall into that huge pile of shit, and had the worst omelette ever. Now just keeping the fingers crossed I haven't got any bed bugs from that dirty hostel (which has a great aura indeed). And so I left Agra for now with promise to come back later, and got on the train to Vrindavan today. Holi, I'm here for you!Read more

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    Happy (messy) Holi

    March 25, 2016 in India ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Ok, so Holi was 80% different from what I expected. Big processions with people dancing, playing nicely with colours, colourful dressed up children, elephants, music and songs - did I see any? Hell no :) It seemed to me there are few rules for Holi - try to throw colours into someone's face whether they want it or not; if you don't have any colours - get some water and make it even messier; hug all women and grab their boob after. I was advised it's better not to get into the crowd and stay outside, but didn't see a chance to make it work - it was always people around trying to get you. Am I upset it wasn't the way I wanted to be? No. It was still interesting, colourful, cheerful experience, though would stay in a small village with 20 people next time :) Vrindavan for another day just to visit some temples and know the town a bit better, and back to Delhi tomorrow. Almost done with India.. Need some quiet time on the beach, got tired a little of all those experiences, faces, places, but will miss India for sure..Read more

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    Hare Krishna Hare Rama Vrindavan

    March 25, 2016 in India ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    The town I'm staying at now, Vrindavan, is the town where according to hinduism Lord Krishna was born and spent his childhood days. I didn't see a lot in north India but so far it's my town no 1! Simple, friendly, beautiful, quiet (just getting extremely busy during Holi), covered in narrow streets where it's nice to get lost and be greeted by monkeys. Everyone will advise to hide your glasses in the pocket as apparently monkeys been trained to take them off and someone will appear in a minute to ask for 50 rupees if you want to get them back (ha!). So I spent this day being blind. But even in this situation Vrindavan surprised me in a good way. Lots of temples to see (my favourite - ISKCON), beautiful evening worship at Kesi ghat on the Yamuna river, and the way back surrounded by kids after my 'hair do'. After such a nice day I'm ready to catch the train and head back to Delhi tomorrow. By for now, Vrindavan!Read more

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    Namaste and alavida, India

    March 27, 2016 in India ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    And the time has come. I'm saying goodbye to India and flying to Kuala Lumpur in an hour. It was a great month (3 weeks if being precise) I should say. Indians learned a bit of Lithuanian by reading the magazines I brought; I got a real feeling of Indian business ('very cheap price my friend' on each step, charging locals 10 rupees, foreigners 250, trying to scam you and overcharge on each step etc.); saw lots of beautiful places and was sorry for not being able to stay there a bit longer; met few amazing people and had some crazy time together; had lots of taxi /car rides, 1 domestic flight, 3 train bookings; one proper food poisoning and few lighter toilet issues I'm not gonna talk about; no things stolen / broken (thanks God); better understanding of Indian culture, people, religion; punk style thanks to the pinky hair (against my will); and in the end - a big desire to come back. Probably in September, once the new season start?..:)Read more

    Trip end
    March 27, 2016
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