India's Golden Triangle & Kerela Homestays
One of the most interesting places I have ever been to must be India. There is so much diversity and culture within this huge country, but the one thing that stands out and is common to every region I have visited is the friendliness and the welcoming people.
The one thing that every visitor to India wants to see would be the Taj Mahal. I saw this as part of my Golden Triangle tour which is the perfect introduction to the wonders of north India.
The Golden Triangle The three cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur make up India's 'Golden Triangle' and give a fantastic snapshot of the colours and spectacles of this land of wonders. Of the many sights I saw, the highlights had to be the Red Fort in Delhi, the majestic and romantic Taj Mahal in Agra, and the 'Pink City', Jaipur, the capital of the colourful capital of Rajasthan.
Delhi. View the Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. Also pay a visit to Raj Ghat, the memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city. Note: The Red Fort in Delhi is closed on Mondays.
Agra. For me the highlight of the tour was to view the magnificent Taj Mahal. Built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen, the marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. Also in Agra I saw the famous Fort, a very special place to visit with its intriguing history. Note: The Taj Mahal is closed on Friday
Jaipur. Our route to Jaipur took us to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar and a popular stopping place for travellers. Once in Jaipur I made a visit to the impressive Amber Fort and explored the magnificent royal halls. Another “must” is a city tour which will include the City Palace Museum, where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. Then onto Jantar Mantar observatory, a photo stop outside the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and visit the local markets and shops.
Kerela, “Gods Own Country” After such a busy week it is important to spend time relaxing. I took a short flight to Cochin, Kerela where I spend time staying with an Indian family in the small hillside town of Munnar. This small community is in one of the best tea growing areas of Southern India. The scenery is magnificent and very lush and a complete contrast to the northern cities I had previously visited. I even made the journey to the highest tea factory in the world, located about 2 hours drive from Munnar.
After spending two nights in Munnar, I went back down the hillside to Alleppey where I again spent a couple of nights at the most wonderful private home, Vembanard House which is located directly on Lake. The home had just four guest rooms each with private facilities and the location was idyllic. On the second day I boarded a houseboat which was moored right in front of the house. Guests can hire the houseboat overnight and they can enjoy a leisurely cruise along the lake and backwaters of Kerela. The rooms were exceptional as was the food provided.
It was such a great opportunity to stay at private homes in Kerela. Whilst simple, the accommodation was very clean and comfortable. The highlight for me was meeting the home owners who took a great pride in cooking local specialities for their guests. Cookery lessons were even offered to the guests who wanted to learn more about Indian Cuisine. Yes, I did try to cook a couple of dishes too!
GOA I have also visited Goa and will be happy to chat to you about this region too. Please call me for advice.