Kartikeya · A Solo Travelogue · Summer 2026

Eighteen DaysAcross Europe

London · Amsterdam · Bruges · The Swiss Alps · a birthday at the Shard

SFO  →  London  →  Amsterdam  →  Bruges  →  Interlaken  →  Lucerne  →  London  →  SFO

Begin

A journey chased across three countries — cricket at Lord's, the golden light of the canals, the top of Europe under snow, and a birthday toasted above the London skyline.

18
Days on the road
3
Countries
6
Cities
3
Live-sport days
24·7
Birthday at the Shard
I
London, England10 – 13 July

Arrival & the Home of Cricket

Off the overnight from SFO and straight into the city — a slow sunset walk over Primrose Hill, then a full day at Lord's for the Women's Test, museum and pavilion and all.

A quieter Sunday followed: the Mandir at Neasden, a proper roast, and the long London light.

  • Primrose Hill
  • Lord's · Women's Test
  • Trishna
  • BAPS Mandir
  • Sunday Roast
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London
Lord's · Primrose Hill · Marylebone
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Chapter I — London · 7 frames
II
Amsterdam & Bruges13 – 17 July

Canals, Masters & Golden Light

The Eurostar into Amsterdam — the Jordaan and Nine Streets, Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum in a day, a golden-hour cruise and rijsttafel to close it.

Then Bruges: the Belfry's 366 steps, the Begijnhof and Minnewater, chocolate and beer, a city lit like a painting after dark.

  • Nine Streets
  • Van Gogh
  • Rijksmuseum
  • Canal Cruise
  • Belfry Climb
  • Minnewater
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Amsterdam & Bruges
Canals at golden hour · the Belfry
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Chapter II — The Low Countries · 7 frames
III
Switzerland17 – 22 July

The Top of Europe

Interlaken as base camp — up the Eiger Express to Jungfraujoch, two hours at the roof of the continent among the ice and the Sphinx.

Then the GoldenPass to Gstaad for the Swiss Open final, and Lucerne to finish: the Chapel Bridge, a lake cruise, an evening by the water.

  • Jungfraujoch
  • Eiger Express
  • Gstaad · ATP Final
  • Chapel Bridge
  • Lake Lucerne
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The Swiss Alps
Jungfraujoch · the Eiger · Lake Lucerne
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Chapter III — Switzerland · 7 frames
IV
London, Reprise22 – 26 July

A Birthday Above the City

Back to London and up into the Shard — Borough Market and Tower Bridge by day, The Hundred at Lord's under lights by night.

And on the 24th — my birthday — the Skypool at dawn, dinner at Veeraswamy, sunset drinks at GŎNG with the whole city laid out below.

24 July · Kartikeya's Birthday · above the Thames
  • The Shard
  • Borough Market
  • The Hundred
  • Skypool
  • Veeraswamy
  • GŎNG at Sunset
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The Finale
The Shard skyline · the birthday toast
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Chapter IV — The Birthday · 7 frames
In Motion

Moving Pictures

Four moments that don't sit still — one from each leg of the journey.

London
Amsterdam & Bruges
Switzerland
The Finale
Fin

One journey,
eighteen days,
a lifetime of frames.

Thank you for coming along — from the first sunset over the park to the last toast above the Thames.

— with love, Kartikeya

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