India Trip Report!
After landing at 6 am at JFK from a 15-hour flight home, I was in disbelief my India trip was over already. My first trip to India was everything I had hoped and more. For many years, it was on my list but not very high up to be honest. I had been to Sri Lanka eight years ago but hadn’t return to that region for some time.
When my dear friend Alle had been talking up India for years and finally launched her first custom Gals Abroad Getaways, I knew I had to be on that trip. We have been friends for a while and traveled really well together. I always adore her travel style and genuine love for India. It reminded me how much I love Lebanon unequivocally. And it came full circle, when my friend Katie (aka @TravelingSpud) who came on my Lebanon trip in 2021 said she was game to go and be my roommate. That sealed the deal for me! The right or wrong roomie can make or break a trip in such a tougher destination and packed itinerary.
We chose wisely and had the most epic time! We stayed in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, making the highlight circle of Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal), Jaipur (Pink City), Jodhpur (Blue City) and Udaipur (Venice of India) for 12 days/11 nights. We came in a day earlier to Delhi to get acclimated, and it was the best decision. After the first chill day, it was off to the races. Only regret is that I wish I had more time and bought more textiles!
Delhi
We stayed at the Leela Palace in a lovely part of town amongst embassies and official buildings, a pristine neighborhood. We had a rooftop pool with sweeping views to ease into the schedule. The first full day out our of our ‘bubble’ was to several top places in New Delhi like Humayun’s Tomb, Mahamata Ghandi’s Memorial and the tallest minaret Qutub Minar as we watched continuous planes whiz by in the flight path. The following day was also full of sightseeing in Old Delhi. We got to ride on a rickshaw through the bustling Chandwi Chowk market, which was definitely a highlight. After that, the whole group was antsy for some shopping, so we stopped at Khan Market (at the suggestion of my Indian friend). We got our first taste of what was to come!
One of the other highlights was the dinner and wine pairing at one of the World’s Best Restaurants - Indian Accent. That was a real treat! We only wish we hadn’t had that lunch buffet 🫣
Agra
As we made our way to Agra, we stopped at the NGO Sheroes Hangout Cafe supporting women who’ve been victim of acid attacks. While this trip was full of beautiful things, this was the most eye-opening, because I was completely unaware things like this occurred in modern-day India or at all for that matter. Honor killings and the disfiguring of women in society still happens. It’s tied to family ‘honor’, a woman dismissing a man or an unhappy union, so that the family can discard this person and admonish any obligation, leading to a life of isolation and precarious situation in already unfair society to women. It was a stop that had to be made and listen to their voices. If you go, please do the same and contribute to this cause. When we left the café, my face stained with tears, I was grateful for Alle, Linda and Sacred Dot team making this a stop along this itinerary.
It’s very hard to gloss over the subject or experience as we made our way to the city of Agra. At least, we were greeted with the incredible hospitality at our next hotel by Oberoi and the first glimpse of Taj Mahal - a positive symbol of a love for a woman. Two extremes and still stay with me. The Oberoi Amarvilas took our breaths away with every turn and each room with a view of her. To say we are fortunate is an understatement. Before seeing the architectural marvel up close, we made our way to the Agra Fort and stopped by “Baby Taj” nearby then catching sunset in a garden at the rear side of Taj Mahal.
Before the crack of dawn, we all dressed up in our best outfits for the main event! We scurried up there early to beat the crowds and be able to enjoy her fully without battling the crowds. With our photographer in tow, we caught glimpses at every angle of Taj Mahal, as our guide Sandeep regaled us with stories of the past love story that still stands before us. It was a wonderful sight to behold. Coming down from our Taj high, we got to visit the shop that houses the generations of artisans that keep the Taj marble work alive. We all got some very expensive souvenirs but now we can all take a piece of her home with us.
Jaipur
After that, we packed up and drove to the Pink City. This was on all our radars as visions of the architecture there have long filled my travel feed of India. Our first full day here started with a visit to the Amber Fort, where you started to pick up on these incredible towering ancient structures flanked with fortress walls with striking similarities to the visual of the Great Wall of China. Each fort has the most intricate details from filigree to mirrored ceilings.
We made our way to the Indigo Block Printing and Textile folks to try our hands at ‘block printing.’ As we made our way through the shop, the real gold mine was upstairs with plush pashminas, posh PJs, blankets, and custom tailoring for anything you wanted. I got pure silk PJs made to measure that arrived at our hotel the following day! Absolutely worth it. As we played among the fabrics, we got to be wrapped up in a saree and henna on our hands. As a thoughtful gift, Alle’s team gifted us our own 💝
Another early morning, we stopped over at the Patrika Gate, which is a more modern marvel but indicative of the aesthetic of India. At our stop at the Royal Palace, we got special access to the Royal Quarters and the infamous blue room. The Palace Atelier Shop was also a worthwhile visit for design and gift goodies. Dine at the Palace’s on site restaurant Baradari. Just across the way, there is such a cool astrological park with large-sized instruments that track time and astrology. In the evening, we visited the glorious Rambagh Palace - a Taj Hotel and dined in a train-designed restaurant on the premises called Steam.
Jodhpur
Out of the kindness of their hearts and understanding of our overpacking & shopping, the team arranged for our luggage to go onward to Jodhpur as we flew to the next city. Air India doesn’t have a very kind baggage policy so this was a welcomed arrangement. Again, travel advisors for the win!
We arrived into the city, and immediately went to one of my favorite shops of the trip: Maharani Textile & Handicraft. The shop supplies Anthropologie, Daughters of India, Hermes, Givenchy, and more. After unleashing our spending there, we had to take the rest of the journey to RAAS Hotel by tuk tuk, since it’s tucked away in the tight streets. It was an experience as we scuttled in and out of traffic on a busy Friday night. The grand entrance revealed the sandstone rocks and towering 15-century Mehrangarh fort above us. This property was one of my favorites, which felt impossible to choose!
Tonight was another show-stopping dining experience at Risala in the Umaid Bhawan Palace - where the Royals still live and incredible actress Priyanka and that Jonas boy married. The VIP entrance requires a stay at the Taj Hotel, however, our well-connected leaders got us in. Absolutely worth it!
Early in the morning in the Blue City, our guide took us out as the city was quietly cooing and sleeping on a Heritage Tour. Our morning stroll gave us our bearings and education while our first arrival via tuk tuk was quite clamorous.
As we made our way to the top of the Mehrangarh fort by elevator, we walked out to get our bird’s eye view of the Blue City. We weaved through the incredibly preserved galleries, artwork and craftsmanship of the fort in each room, every turn and intricate courtyard.
That evening, we made our way to a nearby farm and dining experience at Mharo Kent. To our surprise, the chef was humbly telling us his experience and where he worked at a small place called Indian Accent - only one of the best in the world. He delighted us with one of the best farm to table dinners I’ve ever had with a beautiful table setting and twinkle lights overhead.
Udaipur
If you can tell by now, every day was literally full of culture, history, dining and touring from sun up, till our heads hit the pillow. When we arrived at Udaipur after a long five-hour drive, we were finally arriving at our last hotel with it’s grand arrival by boat. We were staying at the Lake Palace, another incredible Taj Hotel. As we pulled up to our exclusive boat jetty, our jaws immediately dropped. The scene was akin to Venice with it’s bustling city centered around the waterways.
As we settled in, we said a quick goodbye to experience some Indian home cooking by Jyoti Jasol at her home and guest house 20 minutes from the city. As she demonstrated the traditional dishes, she had this incredibly sweet story telling ability that made you immediately connect with her. A tragic story of the passing of her dearest brother, captivated the whole group. I just wanted to hug her. It was a memorable night with food, laughs and local dancers to boot. Every time we cook with a local or welcomed into their home, it’s always the highlight of the trip. That’s the way to really get to know a place by it’s people.
Alas our last full day has come. We floated over to the last City Palace to visit. It was bittersweet to take in these structures and hallowed halls, steeped in history. From the courtyard, the stunning interior was almost deceiving. As we got to the top, we found rooms upon rooms with more intricate decorative designs than the next. With our early morning arrival, we had the rare occasion of having the place to ourselves. As you can imagine from our shutter happy group, this was another special touch!
On our perfectly curated, farewell dinner at the Lake Palace, we shared our Love Letters to our fellow gal. It was so touching and left the trip on the highest note. THEN they brought out the birthday cake for me and sang to celebrate my 40th birthday. It was the gift that kept on giving and I’ll never forget it.
Thank you Alle & Linda! My heart is so full ❤️
