Backpacking India: Our Video Diary
Our Backpacking India Video Diary is a series of short videos documenting our Indian adventures in early 2013. This was our first time to the sub continent in a crazy, life changing, 2 month trip in early 2013 that took in Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Khajuraho and Udaipur.
Our Backpacking India Video Diary was created and edited by Kevin Brown of www.vagabondimpulse.com
India Video Diary Part 1 – Sheffield, Istanbul, Mumbai
This video shows the preparations that need to be made for a backpacking trip to India, leaving home, a stopover in freezing cold Istanbul and finally reaching Mumbai.
India Video Diary Part 2 – Mumbai, Pune
We start our backpacking adventure in hectic Mumbai and then move onto Pune riding the legendary Indian railways.
India Video Diary Part 3 – Goa
After a nightmare sleeper bus journey we arrive on Goa’s beautiful beaches for some much needed relaxation
India Video Diary Part 4 – Old Goa
We enjoy the beach life, explore Goa by moped and visit the Portuguese churches of Old Goa
India Video Diary Part 5 – Kochi
We discover the historical colonial trading port of Fort Kochi (Cochin) before relaxing on the beautiful, peaceful backwaters of tropical Kerala
India Video Diary Part 6 – Munnar
We visited the Dutch Palace in Kochi and then escaped the heat of the cities by heading up to the beautiful, tranquil tea plantations of Munnar. On the way we also rode elephants and I especially enjoyed seeing the younger elephants being washed. We also tried the local tipple – Toddy.
India Video Diary Part 7 – New Delhi
Our first impressions of New Delhi get off to a bad start when we fall prey to a common scam while trying to get to our hotel and end up scared and roaming the dilapidated streets in the middle of the night. We then try to find a more positive side to Delhi and visit the Red Fort.
India Video Diary Part 8 – Varanasi
The frustrations of traveling in North India are beginning to show. The holy city of Varanasi has some surprising sights and smells, not all of them pleasant! We take a walk along the ghats by the river Ganges, negotiate the seething traffic on board a cycle rickshaw and witness the puja ceremony performed at night.
India Video Diary Part 9 – Sunrise over the Ganges, Varanasi
We take a boat along the holy Ganges at sunrise and witness all kinds of activity taking place on the ghats at this most fascinating and spiritual time of day.
India Video Diary Part 10 – Khajuraho
Intricately sculptured ancient temples, mischievous wildlife and, my highlight of all India, feeling the love and joy at a beautiful celebration while attending a wedding anniversary party.
India Video Diary Part 11 – The Taj Mahal, Agra
A highlight of a trip to India is visiting what is reputed to be the most beautiful building in the world – the famous Taj Mahal.
India Video Diary Part 12 – Agra Fort
Theres much more to Agra than just the Taj Mahal. Check out the Mughal red sandstone Agra fort.
India Video Diary Part 13 – Fatehpur Sikri
An hour away from Agra lies the ruins of a former capital of India but it’s difficult to take in any of the sights as we are constantly harassed to buy things until we can’t take it any more and end up having to leave. Oh India!
India Video Diary Part 14 – Jaipur
The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur completes India’s touristic “golden triangle.” Jaipur is the capital of India’s most flamboyant and colourful state of Rajasthan.We visit the beautiful Hawa Mahal (the Palace of the Winds) and enjoy watching the cheeky residents play at the monkey temple.
India Video Diary Part 15 – Udaipur
In the beautiful city of Udaipur we took a boat ride on the shimmering lake past romantic palaces, shopped for souvenirs, rode horses in the countryside and enjoyed stunning views and sunsets over the lake from the roof terrace
India Video Diary Part 16 – Back to Bombay
We finsihed our adventure by returning to where we first started in Mumbai. This crazy, buzzing city really grew on us the second time around as we took a boat from the Gateway of India out to the UNESCO listed rock cut cave temple on Elephanta Island.
Thanks for watching our incredible adventure. Don’t forget to check out more posts on the blog about our Indian adventures and check out Vagabond Impulse on You Tube for more travel videos.
Living in Anjuna Goa, 2015