Exactly 20 years ago today, on September 9, 2006, I landed in Mumbai – and that was the beginning of my long journey in India, which I also documented directly from the road on this blog in 2006 and 2007.

Back in 2006, travelling from Helsinki to India was a little different from today, as there were no direct flights. I first flew from Helsinki to Abu Dhabi and then continued to Mumbai with Air India. Also check out my video of landing in Abu Dhabi at night, which took place just before the flight you can see in the video featured here!

Nowadays, I most often fly directly from Helsinki to Delhi with Finnair, but now – let’s travel 20 years back in time – to Mumbai in 2006. Watch my authentic video, complete with the original sounds from the journey.

Improve your travel plans with my online travel guide to India!

I have to admit, I was surprised to discover just how much digital photos taken more than 20 years ago can be improved with today’s technology. It makes those tiny camera memory cards we had back then feel a little less limiting now.

Take a look at how this landscape photo from my landing in Mumbai in 2006 was digitally enhanced in 2026.

But it also raises an interesting question: Do you think the enhanced image below can still be considered real and authentic?

Would you like to see more of my photographs from India from the days before smartphones? Be sure to watch my video of that landing in Mumbai in 2006 – it remains one of the most beautiful airplane landings I have ever witnessed during my more than 20 years as a blogger and vlogger!