Namaste!
It’s been 4 days since I arrived here in India. Didn’t think that I would visit a another country by the start of the new year and much more India. The past years my mind was focused on the Southeast Asia. But things changed and my heart brought me to India.
Friends and fellow bloggers have always encouraged me to visit this country but I guess I’m too focused on achieving my goal of visiting all Southeast Asian countries hampered my visit here.
But finally, I came here- winter. My very first winter and I wasn’t prepared. All I have are summer clothes- board shorts, rashguard and flip-flops. I was freezing when I got out of Delhi Airport after getting my 30-day tourist visa on arrival.
Callie, my girlfriend arrived 2 hours earlier and we got into the taxi and went straight to our guesthouse. We just planned to do Rishikesh (the world capital of yoga) and Varanasi (famous for locals burning their deads by the river Ganges) before going to Chennai (south).
Now we are here in Rishikesh- Mahatma Yogi Ashram. A week of retreat, yoga and healthy Indian food by the Mother Ganges River. Weather here is 7-14° C and we sleep with three comforters.
Just want to greet you NAMASTE and hope you have a great start of the new year.
May you enjoy each moment of your life (good or bad), inhale all the positive energy you can get and exhale the negativity in your life.
Wishing you a healthy new year! Gotta get my chai (milk tea).
Shanti and metta,
JourneyingJames
5th January 2014
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Wow I am surprised that it gets so cold there! I want to return to India and do a retreat! Possibly at the end of this year or next. Happy travels James & Callie!
What a way to start the new year! And so romantic that you’re together in India. *inggit*
3 comforters for 7-14° C? Now I feel thick-skinned. My first winter trip (in Korea) was way below 0° C and I had no trouble with the cold. Or maybe because of the heating systems in the floor of the rooms there during winter. Stay safe and happy you two! 🙂
Happy New Year James! Keep enjoying your lovely stay in India with your beautiful girlfriend! 🙂
One word I have for this country.
AMAZING