Blogs from Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India, Asia

Orchha, meaning ‘Hidden Place’, is a town in Madhya Pradesh on the banks of the Betwa River. This medieval town seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original grandeur. Orchha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of Central India. At heart, Orchha is nothing but a tiny, agricultural village that shouldn't really be of much interest to anyone, but it was blessed by history. For nearly 300 years it was one of the most important urban areas in this part of India. Orchha owes its glories to the Bundela clan of Rajputs, who set up their headquarters here in 1531, though Orchha reached its zenith under Bir Singh Deo who reigned from 1605 to 1627. He was on good terms ... read more

Day 34 - after effects of the fall, a day off Oh what a night! The party continued whilst I slept. I kept waking up intermittently. Every now and then, I popped outside to see how the party was progressing! It was in full swing! I was still in bed. The party moved away from the tent front to the platform over to the left! I popped out, then went back to bed. I am walking as if I am completely drunk, but slightly better than last time. Back to bed. The next time I get up for a drink, venture out to evaluate my situation! They are all sat on the wall with a river view, taking pictures of the sunrise. I joined in, took a couple of photos, then wobbled straight back to bed. ... read more

I woke up at 0930 after a good 9 hours sleep. My earplugs were still intact, and I'd only briefly heard Molly Brown once. It was quite light in the tent though so I don't know if it was this or the snoring that stirred me but I soon fell back to sleep and didn't even hear my room buddy shower and leave. I felt so refreshed, and hopefully that may have been the last of the Jetlag on its way out. I managed to catch the end of the breakfast buffet, where only Raghu was dining so I joined him and was offered a cup of Masala tea. He told me it was very gingery which made me think of Reuben and I resolved to call it a Reuben brew from now. It was really ... read more

After a couple amazing days in Agra it was time to wind down a little and just absorb it all. It was such a great place to get to and see the Taj!!! Just the fact that we got to see it and get right up close to it after reading about it and seeing pictures of it in magazines, it was beyond anything I could possible try to write down in words. There are certain moments or certain things that you see if life that you just can't put into words. It's just one of those 'Ya had to be there' moments. The best part was we got free time to walk around and just soak it all in and sit and try to comprehend that you are in a place that is really old ... read more

Orchha March 16th 2014 “Rivers are roads that walk and carry where you want to go” Blaise Pascal “..To be on your own With no direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone” Bob Dylan The river Betwa flows lazily through Orchha in Madhya Pradesh, dropping polished stones on its banks. While taking a sunrise bath, I chance upon and pick up a small stone, place it back, pick it up again, feel it feeling me, how it fits so snug and right somehow in my hand, its cool and smooth surface against my skin; and decide that here is the perfect travel companion for making my morning chai. Beb had given me this simple idea while travelling together in Gujarat weeks earlier, but we had not found quite the right rock. It's so ... read more