In August 2009 I made a wonderful trip to India. My trip started in Mumbai, where I learned about the Dabbawalas. After Mumbai I spent a weekend in Goa and then made a trip from Delhi to Agra to Jaipur and back to Delhi again. On the last day of my stay I visited Old Delhi a small neighbourhood of Delhi, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
India is a truly an incredible country and I will soon share more of my adventures here. Here’s a map to give you an idea of where I’ve been in India, a short description of the places can be found below this map:
Mumbai/Bombay
With a population of 14 million people, Mumbai is the second most populous city in the world (after Shanghai). However, 43% of Mumbai’s population lives in slums, which are unfortunately quite common in India. On a slightly brighter note, the literacy level in Mumbai’s slums is 69% – which is more than in any other slum in India.
Regardsless of the slums, Mumbai is the richest city in India and is responsible for 6,2% of India’s GDP. The city’s prosperity is largely due to it’s good location next to the with two major ports, as well as a high level of well educated engineers, good overall healthcare and of course Mumbai reaped the benefits of the ever-growing IT sector.
When the British took over colonial administration from the Portugese in the 17th century, the city was officially named Bombay. In November 1995, the winning Maharashtra state party decided to rename the city Mumbai in response to India’s independence (which the country gained in 1947). Today, many Indians still refer to the city as Bombay.
One of the most unique features about the local culture of Mumbai is the use of the irreplacable Dabbawalas.
Delhi and the Golden Triangle
Golden Triangle
Delhi is the fourth most populous city in the world with 12,5 million inhabitants, the Indian government has its seat here. On the last day of my stay in India I visited Old Delhi which was a unique experience, but absolutely worthwhile.
Many of India’s most famous landmarks, including the Taj Mahal, are located in the Golden Triangle, which is the triangle between Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Highlights on this trip inlude India Gate, Qutub Minar and the India Presidential Palace (near Delhi), Amber Fort and Fatehpur Sikri (near Jaipur), and of course the Taj Mahal (near Agra).
On this blog I’ll share my photos and journals about this amazing trip in this incredible country.
