Polish woman thought an 11-hour bus ride in India would be a nightmare. And then...
Dominika Patalas-Kalra shared a detailed Instagram video of her first 11-hour bus journey to Delhi. Her account drew positive responses online after she described the ride as clean, comfortable and punctual.
An 11-hour bus ride in India is not usually something travellers look forward to. But for Polish content creator Dominika Patalas-Kalra, what began with anxiety and low expectations turned into an experience she says was surprisingly comfortable, well-organised and enjoyable.
In a video that has now gone viral on Instagram, Patalas-Kalra documented her first long-distance bus journey in India. Having lived in the country for several years, she admitted that she was initially nervous about spending 11 hours on a bus to Delhi. However, the trip quickly challenged her assumptions.
The video begins with Patalas-Kalra arriving at the bus and taking viewers through the boarding process. She shows the vehicle's clean interiors and spacious seating before storing her luggage in an overhead compartment and settling into her non-sleeper seat.
"This was my first time travelling by bus in India and I was worried how I will survive 11 hours journey, but it was really smooth and comfortable," she wrote in the caption.
What impressed her most was the level of service offered during the journey. Shortly after boarding, passengers were handed a gift bag containing travel essentials such as wet wipes, a dental kit, snacks and juice. Wrapped in a blanket provided on board, Patalas-Kalra said she was able to relax and even get some sleep during the trip.
The journey also included a stop at a restaurant where passengers were served dinner. According to Patalas-Kalra, the meal consisted of multiple courses and ended with gulab jamun for dessert. The following morning, travellers received a breakfast box, ensuring they remained well-fed throughout the ride.
"Later on it was time for dinner (5 course meal with delicious food and gulab jamun for dessert!!) In the morning I got another breakfast box, so really I wasn't feeling hungry even for a minute during this trip," she said.
See the video here:
She also praised the cleanliness of the seats and the punctuality of the service, noting that the bus arrived on time, something she considered particularly noteworthy.
The video has since attracted widespread attention online, with many users thanking her for highlighting a positive side of travelling in India. Several commenters appreciated her balanced perspective, while others welcomed the fact that she showcased an experience that challenged common stereotypes about long-distance bus travel in the country.