Childhood Dreams in the Pink City of Jaipur

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Many little girls fantasize about a completely pink bedroom, a closet full of rose colored dresses, and an endless supply of bows in a rainbow of fuchsia and pale raspberry. So you can imagine my excitement at the prospect of seeing the famed pink city of Jaipur. While the color may be closer to terra cotta, (legend has it the city got its name from a certain British monarch who clearly didn’t have an eye for color) I was happy enough strolling down the sandy colored streets and enjoying the monochromatic buildings. My first stop was Hava Mehel or the Wind Palace, a giant, one-walled palace that served as a façade for the royal women. They were forbidden to show their faces in public, so this giant wall, almost completely covered in windows (165 to be precise), provided the perfect viewing balconies for ceremonies and parades.

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A Clear Day in the Blue City of Jodhpur

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I arrived to Jodhpur with the rain, and the city smelled fresh and clean, scrubbed free of its desert sands. After settling into my hotel, I headed to Pal Haveli, a noble family’s home turned restaurant and hotel. The rain had ended and the sky was dark and dramatic as I walked up to the rooftop terrace. Spread out before me was a panoramic view of Jodhpur’s iconic fort, Mehran Garh, and the main city square. As fireworks lit up the night sky, I feasted on butter naan, chicken masala, and lentil stew. Heading back to the hotel, I couldn’t wait for the morning, and my official welcome to the blue city.

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Photo of the Day: Heaven on Earth at the Taj Mahal

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The Taj Mahal was created by Emperor Shah Jahan as a parting gift to his favorite wife. When she died, he decided to create a tomb for her that resembled the Koran’s description of heaven. With its towering white domes, peaceful gardens, and intricate carvings, the Taj is definitely an unearthly creation. While it may not be your personal view of heaven, its hard not to get swept away by the beauty of the Taj, and it’s romantic origin.

Driving Through the Outback of Jodhpur, India

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The first day of my road trip through Northern India began with the blue city of Jodhpur.

After the six-hour drive from Udaipur’s lakeside palaces, I arrived in the desert terrain of the “outback” of Jodhpur. Waiting for my arrival was Raghu, my Compass India guide, alongside an open-air jeep. My first afternoon in Jodhpur was spent in the company of a host of local families, as I learned about the traditions and skills passed down among the generations.

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Road Tripping Through Northern India

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One of my favorite aspects of travel is observing the real day to day life of the local residents. Seeing a country’s monuments and palaces are impressive, but I prefer getting a taste of the real local culture any day. Compass India arranged for me to journey through Northern India on a three-day road trip to Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Ranthambhore.  While some of the driving would require six hour stints in the car, my guides assured me that I would be constantly astounded at the scenes outside my window.

How right they were.

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Falling in Love with Udaipur: The Venice of the East

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After leaving the bustle of New Delhi’s city life behind, I was ready to experience the India I had always imagined. Bright, colorful fabrics, cows roaming the streets, and domed palaces dominated these visions. I took a commuter flight from New Delhi to Udaipur, the land of the lakes in the state of Rajasthan. Known for being the most colorful state in all of India, I peered out my plane window, eagerly looking for my first sight.

The drive from the airport to my hotel proved rewarding in itself with mountain views and bright bursts of color from the local women’s embroidered saris. Much smaller than Delhi, the city of Udaipur is perfect for wandering through the small, winding streets while making your way towards the royal City Palace.

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Welcome to India: Day One in New Delhi

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The wing tip creates a brilliant contrast as the bright crimson colors of the Union Jack bob gently through the clouds. Then, in an instant, the white barriers are gone and we are descending rapidly towards the sprawling city of New Delhi.

This was the start of a two-week trip throughout Northern India accompanied by Compass India Inc., a luxury touring company specializing in unique and highly detailed tour packages. As I waited for the Compass representative to collect me from the airport, I prepared myself for what has been referred to as the scent of heaven and hell combined. As soon as I took my first steps on Indian soil however, I was thoroughly surprised. Not only was the air scent free, but the weather was warm and balmy, with a light breeze gently floating around.

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