Dear Friends,

Last December, Mark and I enjoyed a wonderful Journey to South India. You may wonder why just one year later we are returning to both North India and South India, and why no less than 6 of the people who were on that Journey unhesitatingly decided to join us this year in our Journey to North India.  Let me tell you a little about South India last year and our new North India program.

 

With superb Indian guide Sanjay at our side all the time in South India, fabulous temple sites sprang into life. For the first time I could understand a sentence from the Bhagavad Gita 4.1 "Whenever a devotee wishes, with unwavering faith, to worship me in a particular form, I take that form." Hinduism has no savior, no fixed dogma of belief and no specifically prescribed ritual. Everything is based on the spontaneous connection between the individual and the divine. It is known to its people as Santana Dharma, the eternal religion for it remains eternally alive in the hearts of those who seek to know themselves. Hindu Gods are the Spirit of the Divine. The gods are gifts from what Hindus call nirvana, the state of absolute freedom. Kept alive in the hearts of Hindus through centuries of storytelling, these gods breathe humanity and humor into an everyday religiousness. As we traveled to the most exquisite temples in three Tamil Nadu cities, Sanjay breathed humanity and humor into his stories.

 

As we drove ever further south, Sanjay became a magician who offered surprises everywhere we stopped. We walked into cashew forests, sipped "mile-high" hot chai with milk and sugar in local tearooms, meditated in abandoned shamanic temples or admired mansions adorned with magnificent carved teak and century-old charm. As we comfortably traveled in the luxury of an air-conditioned bus, Sanjay made us laugh as he chanted in strange languages, told stories and taught us about his country. He whispered, "Carol, next time, you must go there, or stay here, eat that, or try this." I jotted everything down and silently vowed to return this year when monsoon is over and the mild weather is at its very best. He promised to be our guide again and I felt totally blessed and delighted to allow him to draw India further into our hearts and soul. An excellent guide makes an incredible country even more exciting and dazzling.

 

The state of Kerala is resplendent with its own traditional intricate temples dotted along the countryside, with smiling people steeped in humility, yet passionate about life. As Mark recently wrote, Kerala is the most literate state in India yet one would never know - so understated are the people busying themselves in the rituals of the day - be it the morning meditation, followed by Yoga, healthy incredibly delicious vegetarian meals; or reading the scriptures, visiting the temple.

 

Surrounded by green plantations and tropical forests, we stopped to walk or sip Kerala's black tea laced with ginger, turmeric and aniseed. Feeling close to Mother Earth we explored and photographed incredible spice gardens and walked through famed Indian jungles hoping to see a tiger. Multi-talented, well-versed and educated Sanjay entertained and surprised us every step of the journey.

 

We arrived at staggeringly beautiful backwater canals and lagoons that lie inland in Kerala and connect sheltered villages. Peace shrouded our group relaxing on the luxurious decks of overnight barges that took us through tropical waters.  We had the privilege of taking a peak into the lives of the Keralans living along palm-studded banks. Two carefully chosen luxury eco-lodge resorts with splendid pools and gardens welcomed us. We enjoyed delicious South Indian cooking in buffet style and were served by men in crisp white shirts and dhotis and exquisite girls in flowing white saris.

 

Kerala is the land of Ayurveda. We made sure to benefit from the source of that ancient science of balancing the microcosm within a human being to the macrocosm that exists externally in the universe - the science of life known as Ayurveda. We indulged in daily yoga led by the resident doctor and signed up for a variety of massages. I long to once again receive warm drops of oil on my forehead in a Sirodhara treatment, and I still feel the magical hands of two beautiful therapists dressed in white. While I lay there, I felt like a Goddess. For less than $35 a session, we all indulged in daily sessions of health, ecstasy and rejuvenation. At night we slept like babies.

 

Our Magical Journey to the South came to a close in the Southern capital Kochi, (formerly known as Cochin). A trading port for more than a 1000 years, Kochi has a unique culture. We celebrated the end of our dream journey in this fascinating capital filled with unique buildings, antique shops, fabulous theatre and restaurants. The well-traveled Magical Journey group decided that Sanjay was the best guide imaginable. In Kochi, I met with his agents who flew in to entice me with a program to North India. They promised me it would thrill our kind of group as much as the South, if not more. I asked Sanjay to accompany us on both programs this year and the agents agreed. November is the most pleasant month to travel in North India.

 

India is so vast and vibrant one has to divide it into two separate journeys. Mark and I explored the North five years ago. In North India, the spiritual energy is palpable, almost visceral at times. The extrovert nature and vibrancy of North India is epitomized by the Rajasthani men and women and the colorful clothes they wear. This desert state is littered with incredible palaces built by the fearless Rajputs over 500 years ago. Pink is the Rajput color of hospitality and Jaipur, India's "Pink City" is a worthy home for Hawa Mahal, the five-story salmon-pink "palace of winds," a facade adorned with floral motifs and filigree windows.

 

In the desert towns the salmon-rust color of the sandstone palaces take on a special glow. On my first visit I was most taken with the brilliant hews seen throughout the North and I could not stop taking photos of working women wearing dazzling saris. The exotic blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal architecture executed by master craftsmen feeds all the senses.

Jaisalmar, with its tiny winding lanes and hidden temples is straight out of  "The Arabian Night". Life has changed so little there. It is the only fortress city still functioning in India and it is easy to imagine yourself back in the 13th century. A quarter of its population still lives within the original walls. Far off the beaten path, it has been spared the worst ravages of tourism.

 

In both North and South India there is the deep belief that all that happens is for the best. It follows a perfect accounting system enshrined in the Law Of Karma - as you sow, so shall you reap - and that is the secret behind why the poorest of the poor in India smile ever so readily despite possessing none of the wealth that the West aligns itself with - fancy house and clothes, cars, iPod phones and Blackberries.

 

There are many secret surprises in store for both programs. I am not sharing them at this time for I would rather wait to see your faces when you experience them for yourselves.

If India is o

n your dream list of places to visit, do join us this year.

Our India agent asked me this week to let him know how many "rooms to warm up". Since we are booked to go in the high season and have chosen to stay in the most unique and sought after places, I have promised to send him names right away.
In case you missed our previous newsletters, it is now time to register with a deposit due. If you need to pay in installments, please contact Theo at info@travelperu.com
 
Mark and I have our air tickets booked. We are looking forward to seeing all our friends in India. For the full itinerary and costs of the North program in November, or the South in December, please contact Michele as soon as possible at  info@magicaljourney.org
I am happy to answer further questions. Once registered, participants will receive detailed information sheets. We are putting together a reading list of books that may enhance your journey. Due to other Magical Journey programs planned for 2011 and 2012, Mark and I will not be repeating this program for a few years. We are excited and hope you can join Sanjay and the two of us, this year.
Namaste,
Carol and Mark

 

Note: In order to do justice to Delhi, Taj Mahal and Rajastan state, the program is longer than South India, and therefore it is more expensive. In both the South and North programs, staying in authentic luxury Indian hotels is very costly, but well worth it. We include fabulous buffet dinners and breakfasts and most lunches. I believe that you will not find a better luxury program at this price. Additional scholars will join us in each area we visit.

 

Please check a similar program to the South by National Geographic in 2009 at double the cost and without meals included. Their  programs cannot compare with ours. Their itinerary to North India this year is more expensive, six days shorter and without meals. Also their offerings cater to bigger groups. We guarantee that nothing in the program will match what you will experience and receive with a Magical Journey. Past travelers attest to that. So far we have that unique like-minded, Magical blens of participants registered to come from five countries.

 

Six of us who traveled to South India last year will be on the program to the North. Others who have already traveled with us to Bhutan, Nepal, Peru and South Africa have also registered and so far we have that unique like-minded Magical blend of participants from five countries. Treat yourself now! Let Michele know of your interest right away please.
 

 

Nicki, from South Africa wrote:

Hi there Carol,

I woke up this morning thinking about my glorious experience and decided I would like to write this.................

In Southern India ................

We sat spellbound, like six year olds at our grandmother's knee, as we listened to Sanjay, a master story teller and our guide -  tell us stories from Hindu mythology.

We marveled at the intricate and colourful carvings on the temples

We stopped at tiny roadside stalls to drink sweet refreshing chai

We were bedazzled by a myriad of colours as we watched families shopping for bridal saris

We visited spice farms and tea plantations

We explored the rain forest looking for tigers

We were blessed by elephants

We learnt about the culture of the slums

We cruised the back waters of Kerela, gliding along gently, watching village life unfold on the banks as we passed

We ate spicy, fragrant, nourishing food - and were taught how to cook it for ourselves

We learned about and watched traditional martial arts, music and dance

We were guests of honour at a village school

We learnt about Ayurvedic medicine and experienced wonderfully authentic and powerful treatments

We came to understand the magic of a country and her people

 

All this in sixteen days, traveling with a group of like minded people, and with time to spare for yoga, meditation and quiet reflection.

No-one but Magical Journey could put such a package together. I can't imagine traveling with anyone else.

Northern India beckons - I will be there!