When I travel, not much planning happens beforehand. I just book the cheapest possible flight and then see what people recommend. This time, I booked a flight from Brussels to New Delhi for €320 and stayed there for one week. It was too cold for me during the coldwave, so I promptly chose Goa as my next stop, knowing it’ll be hot and beachy. I randomly chose a yoga retreat in Goa and ended up in Arambol thanks to it. Arambol ended up being one of those places that sparked the thought of “I could live here”. And I stayed for a bit over 2 weeks there.

It was hard to leave Arambol, but I had to make a decision after extending my stay 3 times. My options were Palolem (Goa, more south, beach), Hampi (center of South-India, temples, nature), and Varanassi (North, spiritual place). The latter seemed too cold, the first seemed a bit boring, so Hampi it was!

Being a city girl, I’m often a bit afraid to spend much time in nature. Every single time I think it won’t be for me, and every single time I prove myself wrong. I freaking love nature. Leaving my phone in my backpack and hiking up a hill barefoot to see a sunset and meditate under a tree? YAS. Hampi really proved me that not only people can surprise you, teach you something, inspire you, but nature can do so too. Driving a scooter between rice fields, with crazy rock structures all around is my favorite memory of India for sure.