Like the real India - only better!

It is over 21 years ago that I backpacked through India with my then boyfriend, now husband.

It has taken this long to want to return, oh the heat in June 1991.

At a time when even the Indians were dropping like flies, I remember many things. The sickness (Mr. Wren called me The Mole as I only wanted to come out at night when it was cool), the filth, the chaos, and poverty to mention but a few.

Our photos of the time show a different picture of a rich history and colour, but it’s not how I recall the place….

Arriving in India September 28 th 2012:

I met my tour friends on the plane from Delhi to Jodphur, they only just made it, fresh from their adventures trekking in Leh, all wrapped up having left very cold temperatures.

This whole trip has been organised by a great Melbourne friend, now living in Hyderabad. A six-week tour has been immaculately planned using her insider knowledge of India as a final swansong before returning to Melbourne next year. Friends from all around the world have been invited to join! I will get to know the other ladies from the US and UK pretty well by the end of our 3 weeks exploring.

Jodphur:

Arriving in Jodphur it was 31 degrees and Jet Lite provided large umbrellas to shield us from the sun… there were many people and photographers greeting a wedding party, it was lively, busy but not the pandemonium it could have been. We found our guide and went straight to lunch at a fancy hotel – our guidebook tells us the best chefs are employed at the posh hotels.

Rohet Garth:

Arriving at the Rohet Garth, we took a turn off the main road into a small village. The hotel is about 50 Km’s from Jodphur – a drive which had little of note in the countryside. Just as well as our eyes were on the huge potholes in the road, and the much swerving of driving to avoid various things from trucks indignantly sounding their horns whilst coming head on towards us, small motorized things that would be called a TukTuk in Bangkok, many cows, and even a frisky Camel…..

This hotel has been a family home for hundreds of years. There is so much to tell you about it, but maybe I’ll let the photos do the talking…