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Indische Feiertage
Das liegt vorallem daran, dass in Indien so viele Religionen vertreten sind. Aus jeder Religion sind zumindest die wichtigsten Feierlichkeiten gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Feiertage. [...]Read Mo
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Spicy India – Hike through the spice plantations of Kerala
Hot or Spicy? Indian food is “Spicy”, where Spicy means not only hot, but rather spicy. Of course, the hot chilli taste is always part of Indian cuisine. Depending on the region, the dish, and the chef, it can be used very generously, making us non-Indians flush, numb our taste buds, and make us sweat. [...]Read Mo
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Renovation of the Human Hope Foundation Center in Shimla with donations from regular supporters
The small non-profit organization Human Hope Foundation in Shimla has been supporting around 50 children from families with social and financial disadvantages for six years. children family background The children’s parents are essentially migrant workers who came to Shimla from other states in India in search of a livelihood. They mainly come from the states [...]Read Mo
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Travel report four-week trip to India in April 2022
Four weeks – four women At last! After a two-year break, I was finally able to organize a trip to India for my guests again! While I’ve traveled a lot in India myself over the last two years and got to know some areas that I didn’t know before (yes, they still exist), international tourists [...]Read Mo
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A trip to India after the Corona Pandemic – what remains, what has changed?
Here in India, too, no one from the travel industry expected that the Corona Pandemic would last a full two years and thus paralyze all international tourism. A trip to India was simply not possible for a whole year and a half, because no tourist visas were issued and all long-term tourist visas were declared [...]Read Mo
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Diving in the Andaman Sea
In the January 13th article ” Holidays in the Andaman – 12 recommendations for the islands of Neil and Havelock ” I already share some information about the beautiful group of islands in the Andaman Sea. Today it is supposed to be very specific about diving on Havelock Islands and Neil Islands. Because who would [...]Read Mo
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Letter from Hikkim to space
On May 3rd, 2021 I reported from the highest post office in the world in Hikkim in the hospital at over 4400 meters. Back then, Gerhard Freund contacted me to write an article about the highest post office for the Bern stamp magazine. For this I helped him with a photo of Hikkim. Mr. Freund [...]Read Mo
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Kedernath pilgrimage
The Kedernath Temple is located at 3585 m in the northern Garwahl region of Uttarakhand at the foot of the almost 7000 m high Kedernath peak, which is covered with a dense layer of glaciers. The Kedernath Temple is one of the four main pilgrimage sites of the Chota Chardhams in Uttarakhand and is situated [...]Read Mo
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Ultimate Ladakh Challenge
Unfortunately, due to the Corona situation, many mountain bike races in India could not take place in 2021 either. I missed these events a lot, not so much interested in competition as in the exchange with other mountain bikers and great routes in unknown regions. Finally in June 2021 it was time for the first [...]Read Mo
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Zanskar- Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas
For a long time the former 28-day Darcha-Lamayuru Trek in the far north of India was one of the most breathtaking trekking tours ever. It led across the remote Buddhist mountainous region of Zanskar in Ladakh on the Tibetan border. The demanding route connected the many small villages and was the only way to get [...]Read Mo
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5 reasons why Uttarakhand should definitely be included in a trip to India
The mountainous state of Uttarakhand for me Having lived in Manali for many years and now based in Shimla, I know the mountainous state of Himalchal Pradesh fairly well and have never really been drawn to its southeastern neighbor Uttarakhand. Until recently, I only knew this region in northern India from occasional visits. My first [...]Read Mo
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The Other India: Travel to the north-east of India with a visit to the states of Meghalaya and Assam
Shortly before my trip to Germany, I spent two weeks exploring the north-eastern states of India. Northeast States? Have you ever noticed the tip of Tibet, China, Mianmar and Bangladesh, on the northeastern edge of India? These are the Northeast States. They are being developed more and more for tourism, but still belong to a [...]Read Mo
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Indian and Ayurvedic spice blends
(made from whole spices directly in India by Rekha from Jodhpur), hermetically sealed, shelf life 12 months) I took many different spice mixes with me from India to Germany. All spice mixtures were ground and mixed from organic spices by Rekha shortly before my departure. The composition of the spices is Rekha’s own recipe. The [...]Read Mo
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Holidays at the Andaman Islands – 12 recommendations for the islands of Neil and Havelock
After my one-week stay in the Andaman Islands, a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, India has once again proven how diverse it is. Even a luxurious island vacation with dream beaches and crystal clear sea water is possible without leaving the borders of India. The Andamans belong to the Indian Union Territory [...]Read Mo
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Donations: Distributing warm clothes to 150 Children
Dear all, at the moment I am back home in Germany, corona positive and in quarantine. Definitely not how I imagined to spend my holidays at home! But I am symptom free, together with my family, at a warm and comfortable place and don’t need to worry about going to bed hungry. For all that [...]Read Mo
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Annual review 2021 Chalo Travels
It’s Christmas Day. After exactly two years I’m back on German soil. But unfortunately different than planned: I did not contract Corona again in India, but in my German homeland. I am currently in quarantine with my parents at home over Christmas and New Year’s Eve, fortunately with very mild symptoms. This leaves plenty of [...]Read Mo
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6 Travel Tips and Destinations for Assam
Assam is one of the “Seven Sisters” who make up the northeastern tip of India and the topographical center of this region, with all other six states bordering Assam. While its neighboring states are hilly to mountainous, Assam is largely flat due to the Brahmaputra and the Barak valley. The 78,438 km² state with its [...]Read Mo
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Indian silk
From the silkworm to the scarf The village of Sualkuchi near Guwahati in Assam is famous for its silk products. Almost every backyard of the houses has a small mini silk factory and over 50 percent of the locals are employed in the silk business. Here, all of the silk, from the cocoon to the [...]Read Mo
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“Chai, chai, garam chai …”
… it sounds from everywhere while the long-distance train from Delhi to Jodhpur makes its stop at Jaipur station. “Chai” translated from Hindi means “tea” and can be served both “black” (or red, as some would say) and with milk. Masala Chai Depending on the region in India, different preparation preferences prevail and the tea [...]Read Mo
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Visiting a family in India
Notes and guidelines Having the opportunity to visit an Indian family during a stay in India is a great experience and provides a deeper insight into the culture and way of life of the Indians than just traveling as a tourist. Indian culture is completely different and this is also reflected in some of the [...]Read Mo
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Relaxed ashram stay in Rishikesh
Usually, when I visit an ashram, I do so either as part of a yoga training or because I accompany my guests during their trip to an ashram. Both are quite intense. The Navatri Festival This time I went all by myself for 9 days during the Navatri Festival, without any training, but just as [...]Read Mo
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Corona Update: International Tourism for India opens from 15th November 2021
Finally the time has come! After a nearly two-year India entry ban for international tourists, India opens its borders again. From October 15, 2021, travel to India will be open for package tour groups and from November 15, 2021, finally for individual travelers. The first 500000 electronic visas (e-visas) will be issued free of charge. [...]Read Mo
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Manali vs Shimla
Two famous and beautiful Mountain Places in Himachal Pradesh. One is a smaller tourist place on 2000 m and surrounded by high snow-capped mountains. The other is the state capital situated on 7 hills on approximately 2000 m. But which one is better? I lived for 7 years in Manali and have been living in [...]Read Mo
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Review 2009/10 Volunteering in India Report 6
The last report of my voluntary year in Delhi Report Nr 1 Report Nr 2 Report Nr 3 Report Nr 4 Report Nr 5 Hello. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in touch the last time. Well, that had also a not to be despised reason: It was hot. 45° Celsius in the [...]Read Mo
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Yoga and (competitive) sports
8 reasons why (top) athletes should include yoga in their training The German national soccer team does it, as does Dirk Nowitzki, as well as tennis player Novak Đoković and top mountain bikers Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Kate McCourtney – they all do yoga. And they are by no means the only professional athletes who [...]Read Mo
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Review 2009/10 Volunteering in India Report 5
Lets travel 11 years back in time Report Nr 1 Report Nr 2 Report Nr 3 Report Nr 4 Finally back in Delhi. I have been on the road for four weeks now. Half of it I spent at my intermediate seminar in Orissa, during the rest of the time I was traveling. Mainly in [...]Read Mo
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Medical care in India
Illness or even a visit to a hospital or doctor is certainly not part of the vacation planning. But especially when it comes to countries like India, one should at least take certain health measures while preparing for the trip and at least not rule out a possible illness. Even if the standard of living [...]Read Mo
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Conclusion: 36 Days-36 States-36 Dishes
After 36 complete meals from all 36 Indian States and Union Territories I am looking forward to some Pasta. Just joking. Honestly, I am almost sad the project is over. What am I going to cook now? My boyfriend suggested to do now a challenge with Non-Vegetarian Dishes from each state haha. No. I also [...]Read Mo
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Day 36 Nagaland: Gahlo and Naga Hinkejvu
There is a reason why I kept Nagaland for the last day. The reason has a name: Axone. Axone or Akhuni are fermented Soyabeans which give an distinct flavour to the dish, similar to Miso. It is the Umami taste, the 5th taste, of Axone, which gives the special flavour to almost all Nagaland dishes. [...]Read Mo
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Day 35 Pondicherry: Urulaikizhangu Podalangai Turuttu Curry and Beans Fugath with Pondicherry Sambhar
Back on gas. I have to admit, that I prepared the Pondicherry Day twice. My first version was the Pondicherry Sambhar with Vendakkai Poriyal, an Okra preparation very similar to the Okras I prepared on the Kerala Cooking Day. Since I already prepared so many similar Lentil dishes and also had cooked Okra, I thought [...]Read Mo
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Day 34 Delhi: Chole Bathure
Delhi is not only the capital of India, but also one of the 8 Union Territories. Obviously in such a melting pot of cultures and with people from all over India, you can get any dish from anywhere. You just need to know in which area to go and you will find the best Ladakhi [...]Read Mo
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Day 33 Arunachal Pradesh: Zan
Today I made a breakfast, which name consists only out of 3 letters and was very easy to prepare. At the same time, it was soo tasty! About Arunachal Pradesh, although being one of the remote states of the eight states located in the North East Part of India, I can write today a bit [...]Read Mo
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Day 32 Haryana: Gajar Methi Sabzi with Tomato-Chutney and Besan Masala Roti
I don´t know much about Haryana. Only that it is a tiny state in the North of India bordering Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. Since Delhi is growing so rapidly, many suburbs like Faridabad and Gurgaon with their huge malls and modern living space are actually located in Haryana. Here many of my Upper-Class friends are [...]Read Mo
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Day 31 Gujarat: Khandvi and Khatti Meethi Dal
When I was doing the research for the state specific famous dishes, I gained some huge respect for some of the recipes, which looked quite difficult to prepare. One of the dishes is Khandvi, a famous Snack from Gujarat. This dish seemed to be difficult, not too much because of the ingredients, but rather because [...]Read Mo
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Day 30 Chandigarh: Aloo Parantha
Chandigarh is a planned city in the North of India of which Indians are quite proud of. It is the entry point to the western Himalayas and only 3 hours from my home town Shimla. Although being a Union Territory, the city is highly influenced by its big neighbour Punjab – not only culture wise, [...]Read Mo
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Day 29 Chhattisgarh: Kadhi Pakora with Dal Pithi and and Chila
Kadhi Pakora are a very common dish in North India, but the Chhattisgarh version makes it unique by adding mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pakoras are fried vegetables dumpling and make also a great snack. Add them to a spicy yogurt gravy and you will have Kadhi Pakora. This dish is also very common in [...]Read Mo
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Day 28 Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Amritsari Kulcha and Chilli Curry
These 2 island groups at the junction of the Golf of Bengal and the Andaman Sea and consist of 572 Islands out of which 38 are inhabitant. Despite being geographically locates much closer to Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar, the Islands belong to India. They are home to the Sentinelese, a tribal community which lives pretty [...]Read Mo
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Day 27 Lakshadweep: Hui Bari
Lakshadweep consists of 36 small islands and atolls and is situated in the Arabian Sea west of Kerala. Only few islands are inhabited and visitors can only come with a special permit. Obviously on the island’s seafood is predominant. Nevertheless, I found an easy and tasty aubergine dish which is prepared with coconut milk. Recipe [...]Read Mo
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Day 26 Assam: Amita Khar and Thekera Tenga
Before cooking a dish from an Indian North East State, I am always a little bit nervous and doubtful about the result. Not only that I often have to find vegetarian substitutes, but in the North East they also use some very interesting cooking methods. But this is also one reason, why I enjoy this [...]Read Mo
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