Our magical trips to India - Part Two
I felt that just one trip to India in my lifetime was more than I could have dreamed. As luck would have it, the director of the American Embassy School in New Delhi that had us visit in 2003 was promoted and transferred to the AES in Mumbai. Three years after our first trip to India, we were kindly invited back and spent two weeks in December 2006, with time in Mumbai working at the school and then a week off exploring Matheran and Udaipur. More fairytale locals to experience. It is hard to describe the pulse that is Mumbai, so I will show you through images.
Our view from our hotel in Mumbai. We saw an amazing wedding of some TV stars from this window. It was a spectacle like I've never seen before.
This was the wedding evening and what a fascinating event it was!
Lunchtime at the AES, Mumbai with the lovely librarian, Annie Krembs. Annie and her family are so interesting and are living an exciting life, currently based in Hong Kong. Check out @krembdelakremb on instagram. xx
Lifelong friends!
Annie and Kevin were the most amazing hosts. Ann blogs at krembdelakremb.com
After our time at the American Embassy School was done (and what a great time it was!) we were off on an amazing experience to Matheran, a hill town in the Sahyadri Hills with no cars and gorgeous Colonial architecture. We chose to walk the 5km walk in through a monkey filled jungle and opted for a rickshaw ride out. It was thrilling to say the least.
Our beautiful suite, where monkeys felt free to try to break in the windows and look for food.
Candlelit dinner in the dining room in the evenings, just the three of us (and several lizards).
Our charming guide, Terrace, and body guard against a rather unpleasant monkey encounter.
These little gifts were stolen and very nearly eaten by a fierce male bonnet macaque!
Thank goodness the monkey that snatched the bag from my hands was unimpressed and tossed them aside.
I don't think I could do this now, but at 51, I was brave I guess. We travelled down some very steep switchback roads. Yikes!
Victoria was on the biggest adventure of her young life.
The rustic peacefulness of Matheran was a wonderful foil for the opulent beauty that was Udaipur.
I had just had the most magical facial at the Taj Lake Palace Spa. That is sandlewood paste on my third eye and a garland of marigolds around my neck. I felt incredible as we embarked on a boat tour of the Lake Palaces.
This table where we ate all of our meals has a spectacular view. Actually, since the hotel is actually in the middle of the lake, all the views were sublime.
David played his Native flute with this gentleman every morning! Our room was on the left and opened onto this scene and the courtyard below. Magical!
On the street in Udaipur. It's a long story but that is David's briefcase!!
Sunrise over the City Palace, Udaipur
Unbelievable architecture everywhere, and this right outside our window and across the lake.
Our luxurious ride to the airport in a vintage Cadillac with our charming driver, Prem.
A few final pictures from the car window as we rode to the airport.
It's hard to articulate the sadness we felt leaving. Visiting India twice in our lives was a dream come true and the chances of it happening a third time were slim and we were well aware of this. Never say never....xo