Mohan, Janet and their kids Djimon, Amelie and Manisha recently returned from an extensive trip to India. Here is their report:
"India had always been a travel destination we wanted to explore with the kids, and now that they were aged 9, 7 and 5, we decided that they were old enough for us to brave it. We couldn't decide between the North and South of India, so we decided to do both! Quivertree organised a fantastic itinerary, which despite our apprehensions, proceeded like clockwork throughout.
We commenced our journey in Delhi, where the definite highlight was the nail biting cycle rickshaw ride through the chaotic narrow lanes of Old Delhi. We traveled through Agra, Rajasthan, Ranthambore tiger sanctuary, and Jaipur in our Northern Indian sojourn. Mostly everything was exciting (India is never boring!), and the highlights for us parents included the spectacular Taj Mahal at sunrise; the rural Rajasthan landscape with the women in their vivid multicolored dresses; and staying in the faded grandeur and opulence of palaces now converted into boutique hotels.
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| Don't try this at home! |
Our children's highlights were slightly different: buying and wearing sparkling iridescent Indian clothing; going on early morning tiger safaris into the magnificent countryside of the wildlife parks; tasting piping hot chai masala at every breakfast and afternoon tea stop; and learning to fly kites on the roof in Jaipur, amongst the hundreds of other kites flown from the neighboring roofs, and attempting to 'cut' your opposition's kite!
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| Impromptu dancing lessons |
South India was much calmer than the North. We loved the tranquility of the coffee estate in Coorg; the colors and sights in the Devarajah flower and fruit market in Mysore (where the girls got to try flowers in their hair Indian style); and bathing, feeding and riding the elephants in Dubare Elephant Camp.
Kerala was a beautiful and relaxing end to our hectic and exciting month. Cruising down the back waterways in a houseboat was the ideal way to unwind prior to heading home!
