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Author Archive | Gilles

Rajasthan 2023 – Photo Gallery

By on 22. March 2023 in Asia – Photos, India, Photo Galleries

Jal Mahal, the “Water Palace”, Jaipur

Rajasthan has immensely changed since my first trip back in April 2012! The first thing that immediately stroke me was the mere fact that now tourism is mainly local. The most surprising fact was maybe how well organized & clean the major spots of Rajasthan now are. Only once we were back to Delhi had we the impression we had escaped this “sanitized experience”. Then, what were hidden gems 10 years back are now surrounded with 5 stars resorts full of SUVs, catering for the new middle / upper class of India discovering their own country. All in all? Rajasthan is far easier to travel than it once was, and quicker! Better infrastructure and improved organization make your life so much easier. Of course, it will appear less confusing and more “On the main touristic tracks” than it was 10 years ago. Continue Reading →

An Itinerary in Rajasthan – 2 Weeks

By on 20. March 2023 in India

Taj Mahal, Agra

Rajasthan has immensely changed since my first trip back in April 2012!

  • The first thing that immediately stroke me was the mere fact that now tourism is mainly local (maybe 90%, from what I could observe).
  • The most surprising fact was maybe how well organized & clean the major spots of Rajasthan now are. Only once we were back to Delhi had we the impression we had escaped this “sanitized experience”.
  • What were hidden gems 10 years back are now surrounded with 5 stars resorts full of SUVs, catering for the new middle / upper class of India discovering their own country.
  • All in all? Rajasthan is far easier to travel than it once was, and quicker! Better infrastructure and improved organization make your life so much easier. Of course, it will appear less confusing and more “On the main touristic tracks” than it was 10 years ago.

Continue Reading →

Budget Guide To Rajasthan (Updated)

By on 18. March 2023 in Country Budget Guide, India

Elephant and Rickshaws at Sardar Market, Jodhpur

One Of The Cheapest Places To Splurge A Little Or Upgrade Your Travel Style…

Type Of Travel

The 4 trips to Rajasthan were really different from one another, and this actually also shows in the budget spent:

  • During the first 2 trips (2012 & 2013), with limited time at hand (each time 12 days) and India being a rather cheap country, I opted against traveling low budget. Instead, I frequented “mid-range” hotels or Havelis and pleasant local restaurants. This trip could definitely have be done a lot cheaper than spending 44 and 48 Euros per person per day (this amount does not include the international flight or the visa fees).
  • For the last 2 trips (2015 & 2023), I went for the “upper mid-range” type of travel to ensure a nice level of comfort and enhance the mobility: nice Havelis or small Boutique hotels, nice restaurants, at times a car with driver… The budget almost doubled, not surprisingly.

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Gangaur Procession in Jodhpur

By on 16. March 2023 in India

Gangaur procession in the streets of Jodhpur

Highlights are where and when you do not expect them, aren’t they? I honestly had never heard of Gangaur, so when we stumbled upon a group of Indian ladies, young and old, in traditional dresses, in the streets of Jodhpur, we had no idea what it was all about… Well, the explanations given over the hours that followed created more confusion than anything else… We somehow understood that they took care of idols praying for a “good husband” (whatever that means…). Continue Reading →

Street-Art in Jodhpur

By on 15. March 2023 in India

Street-Art in the streets of the old city of Jodhpur

I wasn’t exactly expecting Street-Art when starting my third visit of Jodhpur, the laid-back, relaxed “Blue City” on the edge of the Thar Desert! I just recalled a maze of intertwined, narrow streets, where you would actually get lost however careful you were trying to keep somewhat of an orientation… Continue Reading →

Holi Festival of Colors in Mathura and Vrindavan

By on 8. March 2023 in India

Holi Festival of Colors in Shri Krishna Temple in Mathura

You thought you really experienced the “Holi Festival of Colors”, that heralds the arrival of spring, when Indians throw color onto each other and wish each other “Happy Holi”? Have you experienced the Holi in Mathura and Vrindavan and discovered the religious / spiritual part of this Hindu Festival? Continue Reading →

Oman – A Selection Of 62 Pictures

By on 13. June 2022 in Middle East, Middle East – Photos, Oman

Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Fjords or Khor of Musandam

Oman is special. Where else on the Arabic Peninsula has some of the “Sinbad the Sailor” feeling survived? Besides this 1001 Nights flair, we were stunned by lush oases, ancient fortresses, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, rolling desert dunes, picturesque wadis, deep Fjords and overly friendly people. All in one country! – Here you find a selection of 62 pictures from Oman.

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Itinerary & Travel Guide To Oman

By on 13. June 2022 in Oman

Nizwa Fort

1001 Nights Flair, Ancient Culture, Stunning Landscapes & Such Gentle People!

Oman is special. Where else on the Arabic Peninsula has some of the “Sinbad the Sailor” feeling survived? Besides this 1001 Nights flair, we were stunned by lush oases, ancient fortresses, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain scenery, rolling desert dunes, picturesque wadis, deep fjords and overly friendly people. All in one country!

Continue Reading →

Budget Guide To Oman – An Upscale & (Very) Expensive Destination…

By on 11. June 2022 in Country Budget Guide, Oman

A day on a camel through the Wahiba Sands

Type Of Travel

Oman is an upscale and expensive destination, with a significant “but”: although the government is looking for “high value visitors”, i.e. tourists ready to dish out significant amounts of money, they also allow almost unlimitedly wild camping…

So choose your pick! Either you want something rather “classical” – expect a mid-range to high-end type of budget. Or you just go wild camping, and you can surely travel in Oman for a very reasonable budget. Note that this second option can be challenging both for Musandam and for the Wahiba Sands.

 

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Dhow Cruise In The Fjords Of Musandam

By on 9. June 2022 in Oman

The Peninsula of Musandam, Oman’s most northern enclave, is sitting right on the Strait of Hormuz, facing Iran and one of the most important sea trade-route in the world. For those with a more untamed mind, the rigged coastline resembles giant crippled fingers reaching out into the ocean. Steep slopes of bare rocks, completely void of vegetation, line these long inlets. The longest of these fjords, Khor al Sham, is 17 kilometers deep and a popular place to visit by Dhow. Continue Reading →