Exploring India is a cultural feast of colour, flavours, smells and tastes – all of your senses come alive!
Flying into India after several years I didn’t know what to expect except that this vast country is now the second most populated in the World and that there has been a financial transformation in the bustling economy. I was delighted.
I was there in the wrong time of the year for weather – June is hot and very humid, however on a plus side there were no tourists! Always look on the bright side.
Kolkata was busy, gritty and I initially thought that India had not changed in the years since my last visit.
The history in this region is fascinating – there were so many colonisers – the Dutch, the French, the Germans and of course the British; through all of this India has retained it strongly beating heart.
We boarded the Uniworld river boat and sailed up the broad Ganges river past vast agricultural lands where farmers tilled the soil with their horse and donkey drawn carts in toe.
We stopped at sleepy villages and met the locals; we visited the food markets where the sellers are all chatting and fresh produce is being snapped up for someone’s dinner.
We feasted on wonderful curries, full of complex flavours and joined the chef onboard for a cooking class.
We rode tuk tuks through the streets and laughed with the passers by who were not used to seeing travellers in these more remote areas.
Days were full of activities and we would return to our tranquil river boat for the evening. A delightful way to explore the backwaters of India.
Combing the gently paced rural side of India with the must see destinations we also visited Jaipur, Agra and Delhi.
This region of Rajasthan has changed since I was last in these parts. These cities are clean and pleasant; they are safe and welcoming; the locals are educated and interested.
Jaipur is renowned for its colour – the buildings are exquisite and decorated with rich ochre paint; this is the area of Maharajas and their opulence.
On the hills outside of town we took jeeps up into Amber Fort to explore the architecture; we visited the palace in town adorned with photographs of maharajas playing polo, with maharanis beautiful saris and with opulent artifacts.
Visit the beautiful palace of the Winds where the harem would hide behind the screens and look out of the passing city almost un-noticed. And the markets – what fun! Known the world over for beautiful block printed fabrics in vibrant colours it’s hard to resist!
Agra and the Taj Mahal are not to be missed – this extraordinary building is mind bogglingly beautiful.
Be sure to take a tuk tuk ride through the wedding garment district of Delhi – oh so fun!
A wonderful destination – chat to Travelling Places about making your own discoveries over their winter months when the weather is temperate.
