INDIVUE – travel & art

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  • Flight from Delhi to Helsinki

    Flight from Delhi to Helsinki

    As I wrote a few days back in the Finnish blog, Finnair will increase flights between Finland and India starting in July 2020, and that the flights will become daily. The reason for this is the lower demand for flights to China and increased demand for traffic to India. To celebrate this news, I made the following video of my Finnair flight from India to Finland. Take a look at what a flight from Delhi to Helsinki looks like and enjoy the sceneries –

    In the video you will first get to see the Finnair plane at the Indira Gandhi Airport in New Delhi. The airplane had cameras on the front and bottom of the plane, allowing the passenger to easily see what was holding the aircraft when we were not moving. That is, if you weren’t more interested in watching the movies from your tv. At an Indian airport, it is quite normal for an airplane to have to queue up for quite a long time for its own turn to take off to the sky .

    Finnair flying from Delhi to Helsinki

    At the time of the filming of this video, it was an ordinary sunny January winter day in India. As the airplane climbs to the heights, the viewer can see how the landscapes and Delhi’s cloud of pollution fall behind. If you have been wondering from where that pollution is coming to Delhi in the winter time, it is largely related to the farmers burning the fields in the autumn, near-by Delhi.

    As can be seen in this video, the plane flew over 11 kilometers high and the speed was 877km per hour. The flight from Delhi to Helsinki took altogether seven hours with the queues.

    The most wonderful thing about this video is that when it arrives in Finland, the islands and other landscapes are beautifully covered with snow. It’s been totally different this winter 2019-2020, when Helsinki and the capital area of Finland have been completely snow-free. Luckily I took time to film this video last winter, just in case if the Gulf of Finland would never freeze and have snow again. Not that I really believe it would happen, but the climate talk makes you wonder.

    The video you saw of the return flight from Delhi to Helsinki is a trailer video, and if you want to see a full-length video on the same subject, subscribe to my YouTube channel! I just noticed that my YouTube channel has only 30 subscribers but over 23000 views because the videos are embedded in various blogs and social media channels. This really eats any author’s resources, as advertising revenue is only generated when a YouTube channel has thousand subscribers. So if you want to see the full length Delhi-to-Helsinki -video and many other unique travel-related videos from India and around the world, do subscribe INDIVUE’s YouTube channel!

    Cost of the video trailer

    You probably started wondering how much resources it is one needs to make this 1.5 minute video trailer, for example, and I can open it up a bit for you. The price is the same regardless of whether the creator is, for example Finnish or Indian, when working hours and commission are not calculated.

    First of all, the cheapest flights between Helsinki and Delhi are currently, at the beginning of this decade, about 560e, when they are booked well in advance. If you have to take a flight as a sudden departure, the price will easily double or even triple. This is for the economy class prices. In the business class, the price is counted in thousands of euros, and unfortunately ordinary artists cannot afford to travel in the business class. Although I’m sure a business-class would not always lead to better videos for any air-line.

    A flight from Helsinki to Delhi arrives early in the morning, and if you don’t want to save on lodging costs by hanging out at the airport until your return flight, then you need to pay the hotel, taxi and the food at least for one night. Plus, the cost of the visa, travel insurance and other running expenses such as a paid bottled drinking water, would cost you around 330e for one night in a good quality hotel in Delhi.

    You will also need good hardware to make a good quality video. Nowadays, a cellphone can be on when the plane is landing, in the airplane mode though, and good quality image can be obtained even with a pro-level smartphone. Those seem to cost around 1150e currently in Finland, which is in EU. On top of that, a pro-level laptop comes with 1300e with which your video can be made and saved.

    So the running costs for this 1.5 minute video with these minimum expenses thus came to well over 3300e. You might think that one can save with the hotel expense and choose some cheap hotel or hostel, which will do in some cases. But if you’re a female blogger, vlogger, content creator or an Instagrammer, you might want to choose the safest and easiest option – four star hotel that is.

    Note – the calculation does not include the cost of the movies you could watch in the airplane for free and then later on rent from iTunes, since you were so busy capturing the beautiful sceneries and clouds outside. A few other things get also excluded, such as the author’s home rental and other insurances, or the blog server rental. I might write about those later, but for now I just wanted to open up the cost of blogging and content creation a bit, and thereby increase the value of that work, so that the reader understands and rejoices the luxury of reading a blog for free.

    But, back to lighter issues, and back to Delhi and India –

    Check the video that answers to your question, what did Delhi look like last winter.

    See also a video of what Delhi looks like in the summer, before the monsoon.

    And if you want to see what Finnair’s flights between Helsinki and Delhi looked like in spring 2007, when the direct flights between Finland and India originally started, then subscribe the INDIVUE YouTube channel and blog and maybe one day I’ll show it!

  • Videos from Prague summer

    Videos from Prague summer

    Over the years, I have shared numerous articles about Prague, encompassing a variety of topics. These include recommendations for exceptional hotels in Prague, tips for discovering exquisite Indian cuisine in the city, and other insightful suggestions for coffee shops and restaurants. Additionally, I have also featured captivating photographs in these pieces. To delve deeper into these Prague-centric posts, please refer to the attached links below. Today, however, marks a transition from still images to the dynamic world of videography. And I am excited to present video trailers that offer a brief yet vivid depiction of summer in Prague, Czech Republic. Check out my videos from Prague summer –

    Video duration 1:36

    Trailer of Prague summer 2019

    Trailer of Prague Summer 2019

    This trailer video provides a comprehensive exploration of the renowned Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. It includes a detailed look at a museum showcasing an array of ancient weapons, military armor, and helmets. This paid exhibition in the museum is not only fascinating for enthusiasts of military history but it also offers an intriguing experience for a broader audience. The video also highlights the beautiful sunflowers adorning the flowerbeds near the residence of the esteemed author Franz Kafka.

    For those curious about the variety of tourists in Prague or the ambiance within the iconic St. Vitus Cathedral, my video from the summer of 2019 will be particularly enlightening. It captures the unique sounds of church bells in the Czech Republic and provides a glimpse into the fluctuating weather patterns during a Prague summer, featuring both rain and sunshine.

    This unscripted video also includes scenes of Prague Castle after dusk, surrounded by awe-struck tourists. Additionally, it offers an auditory treat with street music performances on the Charles Bridge, including renditions of Mozart, reflecting the city’s rich musical heritage.

    Public transport enthusiasts will appreciate the segment dedicated to Prague’s tram system. The video takes viewers on a tram journey through the city, showcasing bustling streets lined with terraces and shops. It also ventures into the verdant trails of Petrin Hill and ascends to its lookout tower, offering breathtaking views of Prague.

    Moreover, the video captures the delightful preparation of the traditional Czech snack, Trdelník, despite the summer heat. As a special feature, it includes scenes from the Old Town Town Hall and the famous astronomical clock, where tourists gather to witness the hourly spectacle of moving figures and opening shades.

    Finally, the video concludes with a whimsical portrayal of a moving statue of the Czech author Franz Kafka, which might remind viewers of a familiar face from this blog.

    To experience these vivid and diverse aspects of Prague, I invite you to watch my videos.

    Summer in Prague

    You can find more authentic travel videos and stylized video stories here and read this post in Finnish as well.

    Tourists on Charles bridge in Prague
    Tourists on Charles bridge in Prague

    An Ode to the Timeless Charles Bridge: Capturing Prague’s Pulse

    Stretching across the Vltava River, this iconic Charles Bridgebridge acts as a grand gateway, connecting the Old Town with the Lesser Town, while offering panoramic views of the Prague skyline.

    In this photograph, taken during a bustling summer day, we witness a harmonious symphony of tourists and locals alike, meandering across the cobblestone pathway, flanked by the stoic statues of saints and patrons that have silently observed the passage of centuries. Each sculpture tells its own story, contributing to the bridge’s aura of mystique and grandeur.

    The Charles Bridge is not merely a crossing; it’s a destination where artists set up their easels, musicians fill the air with melodies, and vendors offer an array of local crafts and souvenirs. It’s a place where every step echoes with the footsteps of kings, artists, and commoners who have traversed the same path over the bridge’s storied history.

    In the backdrop, the spires of St. Vitus Cathedral punctuate the horizon, while the red roofs of Prague Castle district create a picturesque mosaic of history and beauty. It’s a view that encapsulates the essence of Prague, a city that seamlessly blends its rich past with the dynamic pulse of the present.

    As the day unfolds, the Charles Bridge transforms under the shifting light, from the golden hues of dawn to the fiery shades of sunset, finally succumbing to the twilight’s embrace. It’s a perpetual canvas that reflects the changing moods of the city itself.

    This image, captured in its candid spontaneity, is more than just a snapshot of a destination; it is an invitation to immerse oneself in the life of Prague, to create memories on this enduring bridge that has withstood the test of time. It is a visual narrative that beckons travelers from all corners of the globe to experience the charm and history that is the essence of the Czech capital.

    For those yearning to delve deeper into the spirit of Prague, the Charles Bridge awaits, ready to unfold its tales and secrets to the discerning eye of the traveler, the historian, and the dreamer.

    Useful links:

  • Carnival euphoria in Goa during Viva Carnival

    Carnival euphoria in Goa during Viva Carnival

    February is a carnival time in Goa, as I have mentioned a few times over the years. The carnival euphoria in Goa during Viva Carnival can be seen in the carnival parades on four different days in four different cities. The carnival cities are most often Mapusa in North Goa, Panjim and Vasco in Central Goa and Margao in South Goa.

    From this video I made you will get a little glance of what the carnival in Goa, India, looked like in February 2013:

    Viva Carneval in Marrao, Goa, in 2013

    I blogged about the Viva Carnival -event for the first time in 2006 with authentic Nokia mobile pictures and you can still see those carnival pictures in the linked post.

    As I recall, the same year 2006 I had also filmed a huge carnival parade in Panjim with a film camera, but because of some misfortune with my travels I lost all those stunning carnival images with the camera film roll.

    Carnival parade and audience in Margao, Goa, India, 2013
    Carnival parade and audience in Margao, Goa, India, 2013

    In 2013 I again posted fresh carnival pictures from Goa and now, seven years later, it’s finally time for the video. You can watch the full 20 minute carnival video here!

    The attached video shows how local children, young people and adults have gathered along the streets in Margao to watch the carnival parade including traditional fishermen and farmers from Goa with their respective outfits and also Goan folk dancers. In addition one can see for example young people demonstrating on behalf of local farmers, tiger protesting on behalf of Goa’s nature, local sex education, men dressed as oriental women, Smurfs, Indian and European cartoon characters and young girls and boys dancing with each other.

    Viva Carnival in Goa: A Symphony of Culture, Colors, and Community Spirit

    Each year, the western coastal state of Goa in India plays host to an iconic festival that epitomizes its multicultural ethos and rich colonial heritage. Known as “Viva Carnival,” this four-day extravaganza goes beyond mere celebration—it’s a social institution, a tour de force of community spirit, and a manifestation of Goa’s dynamic cultural tapestry.

    Historical Roots

    Tracing its origins back to the Portuguese rule, which lasted for more than four centuries in Goa, Viva Carnival is essentially a pre-Lenten festival. Over the years, the event has undergone significant transformations, moving from a small community celebration to a large-scale, inclusive affair that transcends religious boundaries.

    The Festive Palette

    Grand Parades

    Viva Carnival is synonymous with grand parades, where an array of vibrant floats traverse the main streets of Goa’s major cities. The most famous and largest parades generally take place in the state capital of Panaji (Panjim). Other major parades happen in cities like Margao, Mapusa and Vasco da Gama. Each city brings its unique flair and themes to the celebration, making it a state-wide event that captivates both locals and tourists. The parades serve as a canvas for creativity, depicting themes ranging from Goan folklore to contemporary social issues. Adorned with flowers, lights and effigies, these floats are the lifeblood of the Carnival, encapsulating the imagination and ingenuity of the local populace.

    The King Momo Tradition

    One of the central elements of the Viva Carnival is the presence of King Momo, a ceremonial figure who officially declares the commencement of the festivities. Chosen from the local community, King Momo symbolizes the egalitarian spirit of the Carnival and serves as a rallying point for collective celebration.

    Music and Dance

    Melody and rhythm are at the heart of Viva Carnival. The streets come alive with the resonant beats of drums, the soulful melodies, and the mesmerizing cadence of traditional songs. Dancers clad in resplendent costumes sashay to the tunes of everything from the high-energy Konkani folk songs to Bollywood tunes, creating a captivating audio-visual spectacle.

    Social and Cultural Implications of Viva Carnival

    What sets Viva Carnival apart from other regional celebrations is its open-door policy. It warmly embraces both locals and tourists, allowing everyone to participate in the revelry. Moreover, it acts as a catalyst for social cohesion, integrating diverse groups under the umbrella of shared enjoyment and cultural exchange.

    The Essence of Euphoria

    The spirit of euphoria that envelops Viva Carnival is almost palpable. It is this overwhelming sense of happiness and unity that transforms it from a mere event into an enduring tradition. For those magical four days, all differences are set aside, and what remains is a community united in its quest for joy and celebration.

    For travelers, culture enthusiasts, and festival-goers alike, Viva Carnival offers an unparalleled insight into the collective psyche of Goa—a place where traditions are not just preserved but are vibrantly alive.

    Check out also my updated visual travel guide INDIVUE – Trip to Goa!