The Taj Mahal & Pink City

Bill Clinton, after visiting the Taj Mahal, supposedly wrote in the guestbook: “There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and those who haven’t seen it.”

My tour guide told me this quote after I tried to explain the impact the monument had on me. I am usually not one for busy tourist sights packed with crowds. I prefer to get a clear, quiet view before I let myself get “wowed.” But the first time I got a glimpse of the Taj Mahal, despite peeking through a gate with hundreds of loud people in front of me, I felt something shift. It looked like a painting waiting to be unveiled. And I realized then: the hype is true.

The Taj Mahal: Why It Works

Learning the history adds to the impact. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to remember his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it stands as the ultimate symbol of love. My guide told me this story is why so many couples from all over India flock here, it’s seen as a sort of blessing for their relationship.

Maybe it is the white marble (is that why it creates such an expressive effect?), or maybe it is the four beautiful minarets surrounding it that add to the mystique. Walking there, I caught myself dreaming about being Bill Clinton or a VIP, having the place all to myself. But this very “unimportant person” had to share it with the crowds. And it was still magical! I am now one of the proud “have seen the Taj Mahal” people.

The Baby Taj & Fatehpur Sikri

In Agra, there is also the Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah, often called the “Baby Taj.” An acquaintance living in Shanghai had told me I must see it. We didn’t have much time, we had spent four hours coming from Delhi and still had a long drive to Jaipur ahead, but I insisted.

After battling crazy traffic, we finally reached it. The Baby Taj is beautiful, delicate, and peaceful. I learned it was built before the Taj Mahal and the Taj Mahal was actually inspired by it. It was well worth the visit.

We also stopped at Fatehpur Sikri on the way out. Fatehpur Sikri is a fortified city built by Emperor Akbar as the Mughal Capital. I always like visiting places late afternoon. Serene and peaceful. I saw the Buland Darwaza (the highest gate in the world, or so the self-appointed guide told me) and the mix of Mughal and almost Chinese-style architecture. It was a peaceful end to the Agra visit.

The Road to Jaipur: Conversations

The drive to Jaipur, in the province of Rajasthan, took about four hours. My driver and I got off to a rough start, but ten hours in a car together changes things. He started to open up, telling me about his life in a small village outside Delhi and how he was saving for his daughter to go to Europe. He also shared stories of the biggest tips he had ever received. As with many conversations in India, money was a motivation, but I understood it. And I was already contemplating the tip i would give him at the end. So it worked..

Amer: The Hidden Gem

We arrived in Amer, a charming village adjacent to Jaipur. For me, Amer was special, surrounded by mountains, relatively quiet, and home to my favorite sight: the Amer Fort. Another Unesco World Hertiage site. This fort is famous for its mirror hall which has 800.000 mirrors.

Then, following a tip I got from ChatGPT (my trusted friend), I asked to see the stepwell in Amer (Panna Meena Ka Kund). It is small, tucked right inside the village, but incredibly charming and symmetrical. Definitely a spot you want to see.

Jaipur: The Pink City

Finally, Jaipur itself. The story goes that in 1876, the Maharaja painted the entire city pink to welcome Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. The color symbolises hospitality, and it stuck.

The highlight here is the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). The Emperor had it built for his harem so the royal women could watch life on the street and connect with the outside world, perhaps while sipping their tea, without being seen themselves. I also visited the City Palace, which was interesting, but for me, the Amer Fort remained the clear winner.

The Goodbye 

I ended the trip with a visit to a zoo park near my hotel, followed by a traditional Indian dance performance and a final, quiet cup of tea.

On the last day, the driver took me back to Delhi Airport. I said goodbye and pressed a good tip (I hope!) into his hand. India had been quite an experience; intense, chaotic, and fascinating. I definitely plan to come back!

Delhi: Four Days of Contrasts

Before I went to Delhi, someone told me the city could be an “assault on the senses.” That was certainly true. It started with the heavy pollution, the crazy traffic, and the visible poverty that hits you the moment you step outside.

That first morning, I took my usual walk out of my hotel in South Delhi. Delhi is not great for walking, but I tried. After five minutes, I entered a dirt-poor street where people who looked like they had nothing were sitting on the pavement, staring into the distance. Then, on that very same street, I stood before the entrance to the Chanakya Mall. An ultra-luxury enclave for the rich to escape reality. Or so it felt. I admit I was happy to go in myself and have my hot chocolate in my own little world.

Ancient Tombs & Lodhi Garden

After that experience, I got my first taste of what I would love about Delhi the most. I entered Lodhi Garden.

At first, two locals approached me saying, “Country, country?” I quickly figured out they just wanted to know where I was from. When I said “The Netherlands,” they nodded in a friendly way and walked on. This would not be the last time people asked me this.

Lodhi Garden is a public park, but what makes it special are the ancient 15th-century tombs dating from the Delhi Sultanate. I was oblivious to this history before coming. I expected colonial buildings to be the main sight, but this ancient architecture became what I loved most during my five days here. In Lodhi Garden, these structures aren’t fenced off museum pieces. They are part of society. People interact with them naturally. It felt like we were just discovering them together. It reminded me of Siem Reap in Cambodia. Ancient, accessible, and alive.

Humayun’s Tomb, Ignoring Google

On the second day, I ignored Google’s opening times (a good decision) and arrived at Humayun’s Tomb around 7:30 AM. Built in 1558 for the Mughal Emperor Humayun, it served as inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The most striking thing was that I was completely alone. Being alone with the tomb in its original state, I felt like an archaeologist discovering it for the first time.

Qutub Minar and Cows

Delhi (and much of India) has an unusual traffic participant: the cow. Seeing them calmly occupying the street and often stopping traffic altogether can be surprising at first. On one occasion, it even delayed my arrival at my next destination. Yet there is also something quietly beautiful about it: a deep respect for animals.

A bit later than planned but Qutub Minar became my favourite sight in Delhi. A UNESCO World Heritage site with a 72.5-meter victory tower, it feels almost like a painting when you see it. Perhaps the haze of pollution adds to that unreal effect. It was part of a heritage park that could rival Rome’s ancient forums. Who knew Delhi had these kinds of places?

Rajon Ki Baoli

After that I reached Rajon Ki Baoli, a closeby stepwell built in 1506, standing in its original state. It felt unreal to roam around freely without strict rules. It was a perfect ending to the day.

Delhi Neighbourhoods & The Colonial Reality 

On my last day, I wanted to glimpse the neighbourhoods where people actually live. I walked through affluent areas like Vasant Vihar which had lush trees, yet even there, the atmosphere remained chaotic and dusty, weighed down by the heavy pollution. Old Delhi (many people warned me to go here) I only visited one time in the morning. I went to the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Interesting but for me they did not stand out like the others.

I looked for the colonial side of the city, but it was hard to enjoy. Connaught Place felt like a neglected open-air mall, and the grand Lutyens villas and parliament buildings were mostly gated and invisible. The roads were often broken or blocked. If not for those things Delhi could be prettier I thought. I ended the day escaping the reality outside with afternoon tea at The Imperial, a posh relic of the British era.

People & The Poverty Dilemma 

The people were friendly, and with 50% of the population being vegetarian, I connected easily with the food culture. I never felt unsafe, though being the only foreigner in a mass of people takes getting used to.

However, what stayed with me most was the intense poverty. It forces a constant dilemma upon you: whom do you give to, and how much? In the end, I decided to give to anyone who asked and anyone I passed who looked like they needed it. It felt like a drop in the ocean, but it was the only choice I could make. It was a confronting experience.

Overall, I had a good and eye-opening time in Delhi. It is chaotic, fascinating, and very human. It gave me headaches, literally and figuratively, but a visit is absolutely worth it.

My next stop is Agra & Jaipur.

My Delhi Pocket Guide & Tips

For those who want the quick “knows” before they go.

• The Vibe: A massive contrast of ancient peace and chaotic reality. It is an assault on the senses, both good and bad.
• The Charm Spots (My Favorites):
  • Lodhi Garden: Best for a gentle introduction to the city’s history.
  • Qutub Minar: My absolute favorite. Feels like walking into a painting.
  • Rajon Ki Baoli: A stunning stepwell in Mehrauli Archaeological Park. Quiet and atmospheric.
  • Humayun’s Tomb: Go at 7:30 AM to have it to yourself.
• The Reality Check:
  • Walking: Not recommended for long distances. The pollution can cause headaches and nausea, and infrastructure (pavements) is often broken or non-existent.
  • Giving Money: You will be asked often. Locals may advise against it, but follow your own intuition.
• Food Note: It is a vegetarian paradise. Roughly half the population is vegetarian, so you never have to hunt hard for food.

Shanghai City Guide: Where to Walk, Wander & Feel the City

I’m a strong believer in first-time travel writing. When everything is new, you’re more mindful. You notice details, talk to random people, feel excitement, seek adventure. It’s easier to take the reader along in a story this way. Yet many people ask me for tips on Shanghai, the city I live in. So here goes.

Duli Restaurant, Jing’an, Yanping Road

I’m inside Duli, my plant-based restaurant on Yanping Road. I’m here for new dish tasting, the fun part about owning a restaurant. Yanping Road sits in Jing’an district, the young, lively area where many expats live these days. Cafés, restaurants, coworking spaces. A good vibe.

The restaurant manager and I talk about declining restaurant traffic we’ve seen lately.
“Is it the economy?” I ask.
“Or is it because we’re not on Donghu Road anymore?”
“Probably fifty–fifty,” she says.

Donghu Road is where Duli started. It’s unique because it’s right in the city center, yet part of the old French Concession. That’s where I head next.

The French Concession: Let it be the French

The French Concession still works on me. Colonial apartments, villas, leafy streets, a slower rhythm. It stretches far across the city, but areas like Anfu Road and Wukang Road have become the most popular parts. Wide sidewalks, old trees planted long ago by the French, cafés, bars, boutique shops, villas hidden behind gates.

Shanghai’s colonial past gives the city much of its identity. And I often think, if a city has to be colonised, let it be the French. They had taste.

I try to enter a villa compound. I manage to walk in, but almost immediately a Chinese man waves his hand. No, no, no. Most of these villas are now owned by very wealthy Chinese families. Times have changed.

Besides the French, the British were here too. And they left Shanghai what might be its most iconic place: the Bund. To go there, I take my favourite walk in Shanghai, alongside the Suzhou Creek.

Suzhou Creek & The Bund

I walk along Suzhou Creek, the river that cuts through the heart of Shanghai. It passes Jing’an, where I live, and slowly pulls me toward the Bund. This is my favourite walk in the city. It calms me down. The noise fades a little, the pace slows. I pass old buildings, quiet stretches of water, cafés and restaurants that feel slightly removed from the rush.

I stop for a drink at the popular Fotografiska, then continue toward Zhapu Road Bridge. It’s one of my favourite spots in Shanghai. From here, the city opens up. This is where the walk turns into the Bund.

The Bund

The Bund is a long row of colonial banks, consulates and hotels built by the British early 20th century. Locals, expats and tourists all gather here. On one side, historic buildings. On the other, across the Huangpu River, Shanghai’s modern skyline. That contrast is what makes it so iconic.

I walk into Bund 18, where the famous Bar Rouge used to be, still my favourite spot for skyline views. It has changed owners and is now called Kev Bar. The view is still excellent. Standing here, I think back to the first time I visited, almost twenty years ago. The Bund still has that wow factor.

Lujiazui: Endless rows of buildings

I take the boat across the river to the modern Lujiazui. I go up the 629 meter high Shanghai Tower and I start chatting with a Dutch traveller. Clearly a first-timer.

“There is no end to the rows of buildings,” he says.
“This city is so big.”

I nod. By some counts, Shanghai is the biggest city in the world. If you want to understand its scale, Lujiazui is the place. Go up one of the tall towers and look out. It’s overwhelming, even after all these years.

The South Bund & Power Station of Art

On my last day, I head somewhere less familiar to me: the South Bund. This area along the Huangpu River feels more spacious, calmer, something I often miss living where I live.

I visit the Power Station of Art, a former power plant turned museum. The exhibition itself is a bit too artsy for me, but one slogan somehow sticks in my head: “Does the flower hear the bee?”

I end the day on the rooftop, watching cargo ships pass quietly along the river. I post a photo on Instagram. An Austrian friend comments, “Shanghai is still the best city in Asia.”
If you’d asked me fifteen years ago, I’d agree. But I’ve been here too long now, so I don’t comment.

Reflection

Writing about Shanghai has been a challenge. I feel I’ve crossed the point where staying in one place inevitably dulls the magic. At the same time, writing this made me rediscover familiar areas and notice new ones. So it’s good to be a tourist in your own city now and then. Maybe the real passion belongs to first-time visitors now. I’m okay leaving it with them. I have other cities to visit!

Next stop: New Delhi.

My Shanghai Tips

• Stay in Xuhui, preferably in or near the former French Concession
• Wander around Yanping Road and Wuding Road in Jing’an
• Walk along Suzhou Creek to Zhapu Road Bridge, my favourite spot. Best in the late afternoon
• Spend time on the Bund and, if possible, go up to Kev Bar for the iconic bund – Lujiazui view and feeling.
• Visit the Peace Hotel for a sense of history
• Wander around Lujiazui and go up one of the 3 tall towers if you want to feel the city’s scale
• The French Concession is essential: Wukang Road, Anfu Road, Donghu Road, Maoming Road
• If you have time, see People’s Park, Xintiandi and Fuxing Park – Walk on Nanjing Road from Kerry center , via Taikoohui to People’s park
• Go to the South Bund and the Power Station of Art for peace and art, and further downriver to Gate M if you like newer creative areas