I didn't spend 35 years in the travel industry to plan a five-week tour of an interesting country that only includes things every other tourist goes there to see, did I? That's why, when I realised that our journey from Roopangarh to Jaipur would pass within a few miles of the largest salt lake in India and that this was also home to some prolific bird-life, I knew I had to take the 'Grey haired nomads' and their binoculars to see it. Anyway, I was curious to find out how the powdery white stuff I sprinkle on my fish and chips was produced. So it was that we wound our way along dusty roads, passing occasional herds of goats on the way to their day's grazing, and through villages with little owls dozing in ancient trees, ... read more

Camels are not cute. They're not even pretty. In fact, some might say they're downright ugly. They're cantankerous. They regurgitate their food and chew it with protruding teeth, sideways. And they don't smell good either. Nevertheless, we thought Nagaur, home at this time of year to the second-largest livestock fair in India, would be a good place to break our journey north from Jodhpur. So, our itinerary included a brief stop to see the camels, cows and horses and to find lunch before driving another few hours to our pre-booked night-stop at Roopangarh. What we didn't know until we met Devendra at the Maharani Bagh in Ranakpur (see: ) was that her father, Karan Singh Bhati, was in charge of the Royal Tents - a fabulous tented hotel currently pitched, especially to cater for visitors to ... read more

Sixteen years ago, on a tour of Rajasthan with my wife, we stopped for lunch at a hotel near the Jain temples at Ranakpur. There we met a boy named Lajpal. Little did I know then that this chance encounter would drastically change my knowledge and understanding of his fabulous country. The first blog which featured this boy - now a young married man and known to me by his familiar name of Pintu - was in 2005 (my blog explains all). I’ve returned to India several times since and, on each occasion, have been introduced to more and more of his family – so much so that it’s almost as if I’ve become an honorary member of it. They are all so kind, considerate and welcoming. Their thoughtfulness and generosity are humbling and often quite ... read more

Do you have some favourite places in the world? I certainly have – and it’s a long list! Near the very top of that list, however, is a city in India that’s like no other. It has a character you can’t quite put a finger on. It’s brash, it’s beautiful, it’s beguiling - much like many other big Indian cities really, but this one has lakes and mountains on top of some terrific and typically Rajasthani sights. It’s also a relatively clean and tidy place – fortunately, because one of my friends here is the senior officer responsible for the beautification of this ancient city, the wonderful lake city of Udaipur. Last year, I spent five days in the hotel next door and I now had great pleasure introducing the Grey haired nomads to the colour, ... read more

Bhārata? Some know it as Hindustan - but Bhārata, the Sanskrit name of the country we know and love as India, sounds somehow more intriguing, doesn’t it? I think the map of our route may have given you a clue though! (Incidentally, did you realise that the panorama at the top of the page is actually part of a slideshow? If not, scroll back now to watch it!) Three TravelBloggers? It probably won’t get a mention in the Guinness Book of Records but, yes, three TravelBloggers will be travelling together. A short explanation follows: If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home. James A. Michener My wife really only rejects the food, spicy and otherwise. Indeed, her body rejected it so violently on ... read more