Category: India

On the highway from Ajmer to Jaipur on August 15th.

The Monday Diaries – A Look on the Average Days of a Solo Traveler

12/09/2016 / Arimo / 0 Comments

What is traveling truly like? If you look at overly polished Instagram photos and blog posts that only focus on the highlights, you might think that traveling means a constant stream of euphoria. Well, that’s not always the case.

Survival Tips for India

27/08/2016 / Arimo / 4 Comments

India is a perfect country for backpackers: it is exotic, beautiful and diverse. At the same time, India can be a very challenging destination that may quickly wear you down. Here are a few survival tips for India to make your stay more enjoyable.

A Western tourist pointing a video camera to the photographer in Agra Fort. — Tino with his video camera in Agra Fort.

Happy Days with a Travel Companion

24/08/2016 / Arimo / 2 Comments

After months of solo travel, it was finally time for something different. My close Finnish friend Tino flew to Delhi to see me, and we explored northern India together for ten days. And oh boy, was it fun!

Taj Mahal as seen from the Agra Fort on a cloudy day. — Taj Mahal as seen from the Agra Fort.

Alternative Pictures of Taj Mahal

18/08/2016 / Arimo / 1 Comment

Have you ever seen any pictures of Taj Mahal that are not taken in a perfect weather? If you search Taj Mahal pictures in Google, nearly all the pictures are taken from the same direction. I want to show what visiting the famous mausoleum is really like, so here are a few less glamorous, alternative pictures of Taj Mahal, India.

Udaipur and Lake Pichola photographed from lookout hill on a cloudy day. — Udaipur and Lake Pichola.

I Had a Noble Mission in Udaipur

11/08/2016 / Arimo / 0 Comments

Searching for a lost friend of a friend in Udaipur, an Indian city of half a million people? Challenge accepted!

Hampi a random city in the world. Grey sky and grey buildings in Surat, India. — The view out of my hotel room window.

I Got off a Train in a Random City in India

07/08/2016 / Arimo / 6 Comments

After traveling through some of the most popular tourist destinations of Southern India, I decided to hop off the train on a random city for a few days rest. When I finally got out of the beaten track, I witnessed a completely different India with unique flavours that… Nah, just kidding. There was nothing remarkable about my stay in the city of Surat.

The ruins of Hampi are remnants of Vijayanagara, the capital of the historic Vijayanagara Empire. Here's a view from one hill to the nature around the town. — The ruins of Hampi are remnants of Vijayanagara, the capital of the historic Vijayanagara Empire.

Stumbling in Hampi

06/08/2016 / Arimo / 7 Comments

“Oh, you have to go to Hampi!” exclaimed Anthony, an American long term traveler during our stay in Iran in July. Anthony had not personally visited Hampi during his stay in India, but he had heard many other travelers recommend the place. Hampi is also listed as one of the top sights of India in the Lonely Planet guide. You can’t go wrong with so many people, right?

The beautiful Om Beach with a few people walking in the sand in the distance during my stay in Gokarna. — The beautiful Om Beach lived up to its reputation.

I Found Paradise (and It’s Called Gokarna)

29/07/2016 / Arimo / 12 Comments

After over two months of backpacking, I’ve had moments when I’ve been bored with the monotonous cycle of moving from one place to the next. Then I found Gokarna, my new favorite place in the world that reminded me why I’m traveling.

Athirappilly Falls in Kerala from the side. — Athirappilly Falls in Kerala.

Monsoon Travel in Kerala, South India

27/07/2016 / Arimo / 8 Comments

Many travelers have strong opinions about India. They either love it or hate it, or feel both of the things at the same time. After a week of monsoon travel in Kerala, Southern India, I started to understand why.