When I first thought of going to India, I didn’t know what to expect. As I researched India, I learned how challenging the country could be for a foreigner. There is a lot to look out for. However the excitement of where I would go, and what I would see in India soon overcame my worries and I researched, scheduled, and am going to both the top sites in India and the most remote amazing locations in India
When I first heard about Panna Meena ka Kund, I had known of another larger stepwell 2 hours from Jaipur called Chand Baori. Since Chand Baori was larger and outside of a city it felt like it would be worth visiting it – if we had the time. On my itinerary, I traveled from Ranthambore …
Before I went to Jaipur, I was exposed to “snake charmers” through cartoons like Aladdin, the Jungle Book, and Tom and Jerry. I thought about them as something that I would likely never see, something that was a relic of a time long ago. Still, when I got to India I was curious, would I …
Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, also known as the palace of the winds or the palace of breeze, is truly remarkable when seen in person. It’s made from pink sandstone and encourages Jaipur’s reputation as “the pink city”. Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by the ruler of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, to provide a …
When I first saw Jaipur’s Water Palace, also known as Jal Mahal, I was stunned. There it was, jutting out of the middle of Man Sagar Lake and nestled between downtown Jaipur and the Amber Palace, it was awesome. Peering out at the Jal Mahal, from the roadside inspired curiosity as much as wonder. Sadly …
Chand Baori is a remarkable and unique stepwell located in Abhaneri, a small village of India in the state of Rajasthan. A visit to this stepwell will take approximately 20 minutes, so while I recommend this stop, I also suggest that you have other motivations for passing through this region. One suggestion is to make …
A Quick Visit to the Chand Baori Stepwell – India Read More »
High tea at Rambagh Palace in Jaipur is an excellent way to experience the luxurious and opulent lifestyles of India’s royal families. Today it is a high class hotel that still maintains the beauty of the palace, including the surrounding gardens (with peacocks) and pathways as well as the more public rooms throughout its estate. …
Rambagh Palace – High Tea with Peacocks in Jaipur Read More »
The safaris in India are famous for their Bengal tigers. In Ranthambore National park there is a 25% chance of seeing a tiger each time that you go on a safari, so we went to Ranthambore to go on 3 regular safaris and 1 river safari in hopes of seeing wild animals and possibly the …
I learned about the fantasy-like tree bridges of India while I was doing a deep dive into UNESCO world heritage sites in India where the tree bridges popped up as a recently added site! When I am trying to find the areas of a country that are the most unique, I often browse the world …
Double-decker tree bridge and rainbow falls hike in Cherrapunji Read More »
Little did I know that the drive from Shillong to Cherrapunji would be so filled with such interesting and unique experiences that each one of them would be etched into my memory without a single location being forgettable. After my lightning round of 2 days in Aurangabad visiting both ancient locations of Ellora Caves and …
The Waterfalls, Sacred Forest and Cave Trail – From Shillong to Cherrapunji India Read More »
Ellora Caves are one of the most impressive examples of rock-cut architecture in the world. Located in Maharashtra, India, Ellora Caves consist of 34 caves that were excavated out of the Charanandri hills between the 6th and 10th centuries CE. The Ellora Caves are well known for their stunning and unique architectural and artistic beauty …
Ellora Caves – An Architectural & Artistic Treasure of India Read More »
Overall Ajanta Caves are simply impressive. The Ajanta caves, located in Auranagabad India, are a set of caves that were carved out by multiple generations of monks using simple chisels over 700 years (from 200 BC to 500 AC). Some of the treasures found inside are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art such as amazing paintings …
I was looking for a nice place to hang out and chill on my first jet-lagged day in Delhi, and since I was staying at an airport hotel because I was leaving in the early morning the following day I didn’t want to go too deep into the city. Lo, and behold I found “The …
High Tea at “the atrium” in the Imperial Palace in Delhi India Read More »
Monkeys scurry overhead, the smells of food being prepared, and the crowds fill the thin streets which are peppered overhead with exposed wires. These are the qualities of the Old Delhi neighborhood. Old Delhi – The Scene In addition to the exposed wires and monkeys overhead, the neighborhood is characterized by colorful stores, doors, and …
On this evening, a mere day before I go on my next great adventure, I am filled with some odd emotions. Today, I am filled with both nervousness and excitement on the eve of my 3-week journey through India. To handle these emotions, I think about them using what I refer to as the roller …
The Roller Coaster Metaphor – Handle Nervousness Pre-flight Read More »
I had been considering 3 places to explore that are well off the beaten track, namely the Thar Desert, Cherrapunji, and Aurangabad. After much deliberation, I decided on going to Cherrapunji and Aurangabad. All three of these options offered me what my heart truly desires. Going deep into the country to experience something that nobody …
