24-Jan-2026. Nowadays I only write about my most interesting trips. Stories that are worth writing about (and hopefully for you also worth reading about) and ones that give me wonderful new experiences. On average I catch multiple flights per month (either work or leisure) and writing about every single one of them would overload this blog and quite honestly also my brain.

But this is a story worth sharing. With a passion for travel I wish to visit every country on this planet, including India. India has always been on my list, and a unique opportunity came along. Until this day I never really had a strong urge to go, and it was always just a faraway dream. But that changed after talking to Jim, an old friend of mine.

A little background information: Jim and I met at university in Eindhoven where we did the same studies. At the time we were close friends and we did several projects together. After graduation we lost touch as we both went into different directions (my nine months internship in China had a role in this as well). Jim and I hadn’t spoken to each other in fifteen years until a mutual friend (Rob) connected us again. The reconnection was just in time; Jim is getting married to a nice Indian girl, in Mumbai, India. And I am invited. How exciting! An invitation to a wedding in India is not something that comes by often. I couldn’t confirm immediately because I wasn’t sure yet about my work schedule. Moreover, there is hesitation on whether I should go or not. Wanting to go and actually going are still two different things, right?

The invitation had been given several months ago but only two weeks before the wedding date my inner voice was telling me to just go. My work schedule had also cleared up and there was nothing to stop me from going. With only two weeks to spare I start making all the travel arrangements; flights – they were surprisingly cheap -, hotel – surprisingly expensive and 85% fully booked around this period… ouch! -, visa application – a whole lot of work and they literally want to know everything about you! Including your job, your religion, your parents’ name and nationality and so on… the list was endless, crazy! -.

Two days later my visa is granted, and I am going to India! Yay! Next thing on my to-do list is finding a +1, because I don’t want to show up at the wedding by myself. Not that there is anything wrong with going alone but I just didn’t want to. I invited a good friend, somebody that is just as crazy about traveling as I am. On such short notice I don’t expect her to say yes but to my surprise she agrees to go with me. Yay again! I am happy to share this experience with a friend. Just to clarify to my mom; no, this is not a potential daughter-in-law. Sara is a platonic friend without any kind of attachment or feelings involved.

In Jakarta we board the plane from the Airline Indigo and we are enroute for six hours to Mumbai. I’ve never heard of Indigo but they were not too bad. The plane looks new and the flight is comfortable for a budget airline. Sara and I arrive a few days before the wedding so that we can explore the city of dreams – Mumbai. Man, what an experience it is, going around in a big Indian city, it truly tested all our human senses. It’s a hectic, colorful, loud and aromatic experience; good and bad. But this is a story for next time.  One thing I can already share right now is the dangerous levels of air pollution. From day one I literally get a sore throat by the air (read; toxins) that I am breathing in. I don’t understand how people can survive in such cities. But then again, I guess most people here don’t have a choice. As much as I enjoy new experiences, I could never live in such a big smog city. But enough ranting for now.

It’s Friday night and it’s party time. It’s the official cocktail party of the wedding. The venue is absolutely amazing! The Dome, a rooftop bar on the 9^th floor of the Intercontinental hotel. Guests are arriving before five pm while we wait for the couple to make an entrance. From the rooftop bar we have amazing views over the marine drive bay, also called the queen’s necklace. From here we can see a beautiful sunset, I mean, we could potentially see a beautiful sunset if it wasn’t for all the smog in the sky. This we ignore for tonight. The sun slowly sinks into the sea while we celebrate the upcoming union of these two wonderful people. While the sun sets, the sky turns dark and the party comes alive.

The turnout is great with many friends and family from all over the world. There is a large buffet with delicious Indian food and they serve one of my favorite cocktails. I don’t usually drink coffee at night, but for an Espresso martini I happily make an exception… or three. Or even more… but who’s counting on a night like this right? It’s a party and we’re having a good time. Friends and family share funny and heartfelt anecdotes about the bride and groom to be. It’s a magical evening but it’s not over yet. The DJ turns up music, and we dance the night away. At least Sara is dancing the night away, while I am being the quiet and laid-back guy in the background. Some call it boring; I call it being myself. It takes time for me to warm up to strangers. Everybody is very kind, open and warm. Jim has a fantastic group of friends, and I make few new ones as well. The party is a huge success.

Two days later, on a Sunday morning we arrive at the wedding venue where the official ceremonies will be held to unite the two happy people. Sara is wearing a beautiful traditional Indian Saree and I am wearing a Vesti (a cloth around the waste) with a white linen top; simple but nice. As we exit the elevator we are greeted by a large flower arrangement and colorful decorations in the hallway. I feel truly honored to be here and to attend such a significant and important event in the Indian culture.

The bride and groom are sitting on a beautifully decorated stage where the ceremonies are taking place. It starts off with the groom “running” away from the bride and his responsibilities as a husband. It is up to the bride’s father to then intervene and convince the groom to stay by offering his daughters hand in marriage. The groom “reluctantly” agrees and returns to the ceremony where the rituals begin.

These rituals are led by several priests: chanting and reading important passages. The whole ceremony lasts three hours and admittingly I don’t know what’s going on for half of the time, or what the meaning is, but it was beautiful to witness and attend, nonetheless. The guests bless the couple by throwing a whole bunch of flowers towards them and everybody gets on stage to make a big group photo. They are such a wonderful pair, and they truly deserve happiness.

People from all over the world have come to this wedding and everybody is wearing beautiful and traditional Indian outfits. Especially the Indian ladies are wearing the most colorful and elaborate Saree’s. After the official ceremonies, a delicious lunch is served on a banana leaf with all kinds of spices, sauces, chutney’s, snacks, side dishes and rice.  A feast for the eyes and for the tummy.

The lunch marks the end of the ceremonies and the wedding. Most Indian (local) guests are leaving after being fed. However, Sara and I join the big group of (international) friends at the bar opposite the wedding venue, to have a few celebratory drinks before calling it a day. What a fantastic but tiring weekend it was, an unforgettable time. The next day Sara has a six am flight to catch, back to Jakarta. And I am flying to Goa to join the group for more parties and adventures. There will be a new story about the beaches in Goa, but not before my other story on sightseeing adventures in Mumbai.

A short compilation of the wedding, see video below:

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