Day 10 Jaisalmer to Delhi

We thought this was our last morning before heading home. We had a lovely breakfast overlooking the city and for from our hotel.

We noticed all over town these images on the buildings with dates. They were wedding invitations inviting the entire city to the wedding! We learned from our tour guides that it was normal for a wedding to include 5 days of festivities with up to 2,000 people! We walked over to the Jain Temple within the Jaisalmer Fort. It had intricate carvings of the yellow testament which shows the incredible craftsmanship during those times. It had a spiritual and peaceful atmosphere

After shopping and the temple we headed back to our hotel to grab our bags. No taxis or cars were allowed inside the fort so we walked outside to meet Mr. Jeet. He took us to his friend’s restaurant for lunch before going to the airport. We figured it would be much better than our options for later that day. We all loved the Butter Chicken and Garlic naan, our favorite foods of the trip. We headed to the airport for our flight back to Delhi. Mr. Jeet our driver looked like he was going to cry saying goodbye to the boys.

Connor is holding the arrow which was complicated getting home! He always loves buying weapons in these foreign countries. Our flight to Delhi had no issues but we arrived hours early before our American Airlines flight home to JFK. We got in to Delhi at 4:30 after the 1 1/2 hour flight. We arrived in the domestic terminal and walked over to the international one. Our flight was supposed to leave Delhi at 11:55pm and arrive JFK at 6:20am on Monday. They wouldn’t let us into the international terminal because we were so early. We sat outside and watched shows / read books as we waited. Finally, we were getting ready to wait in line to go in…. It started showing our flight was canceled with no explanation! We started freaking out but went to get in line and called American Airlines at the same time. Jack started checking what was happening on his flight trackers. Our incoming flight had turned around over Turkey and then landed in Rome. We later found out this was due to a security threat~ so scary!

We were lucky to rebook through Dubai for late Monday night / Tuesday morning. We had to transfer through Dubai and tried to get there earlier to explore. We couldn’t do that but many were delayed until Thursday! The airline was going to give a comp hotel but it was awful since we had coach seats even though they were bulk head which we loved. JJ booked a nice hotel for 2 more nights in Delhi. We arrived and had Japanese for dinner which tasted amazing! Such a long travel day…but we will make the most of it in Delhi since we had no control of the situation!

Day 9 – Jaisalmer

We had a great night’ sleep glamping in the desert. After breakfast we checked out and the hotel gave us a camel salt & pepper shaker as a souvenir~ so cute! We headed to Jaisalmer the city which was about 1 hour away. Our driver had recommended a guide for the day but we felt there wasn’t as much to do in this city. It was all about the intricate carvings and sand stone buildings. There were the most cows here of any place we had been just wondering the streets with their poop everywhere which was gross!

cows everywhere on the streets….they are holy so no one kills them or eats them

intricate sandstone artwork and details with all of the buildings

We stayed at a cool small hotel within the fort. It’s the largest active/working fort in the world.

We went to a nice lunch which had a beautiful view of the skyline/fort and then shopping. Our hotel in the fort had such a nice staff especially the owner who recommended our favorite store of the trip which was really hard to find. We went for drinks at another spot for happy hour to watch the sunset and then to a different spot for dinner. We took our driver Mr. Jet since we thought it was our last night.

There were some gorgeous sunsets and amazing desert vibes. But, it was the dirtiest city we saw with trash everywhere on the streets and the cows eating it which was sad.

Day 8- Jodphur to Jaisalmer

We left our oasis in the country after breakfast for the desert. It was supposed to be a 5 1/2 hour drive but things always took longer than expected due to road conditions with traffic, cows, camels, unmarked lanes, etc. We skipped lunch & tried to push through to get there sooner.

We were glamping in the desert. The tents had ac and our private bathroom/showers which was nice. The restaurant was basic and hard when we arrived hungry but we were most excited for the camel safari. We spent a few hours in the desert after a long Jeep ride, loved riding camels which felt so funny being so high up! Jack was freaking out a bit when the guides had his camel running :). We watched a beautiful sunset and the boys went surfing on the sand & we all went sledding. The evening entertainment with belly dancer, live music was incredible!,

The food was a little rough because I was done with Indian by this point and it was a buffet.

Day 7 Jodphur

we had a delightful breakfast overlooking the grass fields with lots of peacocks

set off on full day tour around jodphur. Our guide was great! Street food of samosas and lassis drinks. They were so cheap and yummy!

almost attacked by monkey

We went with our guide to visit Jayant Thada, it is a beautiful spot with gorgeous views of the city. It’s supposedly a cremation site for the royal family. Connor and I spoke to a monkey that then came running after us! It was a bit scary! We then went to the Mehrangarh fort which had a museum inside about past kings. It was fascinating to learn about how they were carried to formal events.

Our guide was excellent and it was our favorite city with all of the beautiful blue buildings.

We went to the city center clock tower and Sadar market. We shopped and bought a few souvenirs including a blanket, scarfs and box from one store. We ate yummy street food _ samosas and lassis. Jack tried Masala tea. We loved the city and headed back to our favorite hotel for a little shopping and drinks with our driver overlooking the gorgeous countryside

Day 6 Jaipur to Jodphur

We loved the pink city despite the traffic. As we checked out of hotel we saw they were setting up fora wedding. We were bummed to miss because people said all foreigners are invited. They are so exorbitant

dances with the wedding band then hit the road for jodhpur. It was an 8 hour drive. I was so sick the night before so slept most the way. Lots of cows and decorated trucks. We arrived at Mihr Garh which was an oasis in the desert.

the private small pool & larger Infiniti ones felt like heaven after such a long drive. We showered & enjoyed an incredible dinner with live music

Day 5- Jaipur

We started early again today

we went to the Hawaiian Mahal (palace of the windows). It’s the most picturesque in Jaipur Which is considered the pink city. It’s actually the back side of the building.

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we then went to the amber fort and loved seeing the details of the mirrored room, decorative ceilings that looked like rugs bit of rain which was only time during trip

Shopping

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Day 4 – Agra ending in Jaipur

We had a great night’s sleep at the Aman Home Stay and woke early for our tour at the Taj Mahal. Our tour guide picked us up at 6:20am to walk over – we then jumped in a golf cart & he helped us get through the lines quickly. We were outside looking at the Taj Mahal by 6:50am in time for sunrise.

We felt so lucky to be at the Taj Mahal – it’s such a majestic building! It was a gorgeous morning & our guide was fantastic. We learned all about the history of the Taj Mahal – how the king built it for his favorite wife (his third one). Everything is symmetrical & all of the elements have a meaning. He was so sad after his wife died giving birth to their 14th child so he built it to honor her. There are over 20 precious stones within the detail of the inside. It took them 22 years to build. Our guide took so many fun pictures and the boys loved it!

We then headed back to our hotel for a home cooked breakfast. It truly felt like you’re at someone’s home. Lots of backpackers, it felt like a hotel the boys will stay at when they travel with friends after college. We headed over the Agra Fort which was fascinating.

After Agra we left for Jaipur – the trip took much longer than expected…probably 5 hours vs. the 3 1/2 we expected. We stopped at the same well as Mimi & Poppi which was fascinating during the drive.

Traffic here is insane no matter what time of day. Its sad to see how dirty the sides of the roads are – they don’t pick up any trash. You see lots of skinny cows which are sacred, crazy drivers on mopeds with young kids and tuk tuks. We arrived around 7pm and had a delicious kebab dinner at our hotel. We had veggie/lentils, naan & rotti bread, chicken and lamb. We ate our first 2 desserts – a banana ice cream and donut type dessert…both were great. The boys are not allowed inside the bars since they are under age 25 so we played cards outside by the pool for a bit and went to bed.

Incredible India – Day 3 – Delhi to Agra

We started the day with mass at a Catholic Church in English. JJ loves going to church in foreign countries. The music was amazing – it actually felt like a rock concert at times!! We were all tired especially from the malaria pills that have tough side effects on sleep. We went back to our fabulous hotel for brunch then played tennis at the hotel.

Lodhi Hotel

We then visited the Lodhi gardens which were right next to our hotel and such a beautiful oasis from the craziness

Lodhi Gardens

We’d heard from everyone that you didn’t need to go to the red fort given the damage it’s seen and forts during the remainder of the trip. It was such a busy spot & hard for the drivers/tour guides. Jack & I still thought we had to at least see it given it’s on the top of every list for destinations in Delhi…after some convincing we got there. Everyone stares at the boys and they made a new friend who was fascinated with them

Red fort

New friend at the fort

We then headed to Agra which was around 3 1/2 hours and planned to arrive in time for dinner. We were all worried about the Aman Homestay which was our hotel. The staff was very friendly and you’re actually sleeping in their house – so some staff was dressed in their PJs when we arrived. JJ later figured out we should have eaten dinner there but he also wanted to leave some hotels for dinner off property. We headed to Red Salt Cafe- it was an outdoor bar with loud music & a wedding outside! An early bedtime given we need to be up tomorrow for sunrise at the Taj Mahal!

!ncredible India – Day 2

We woke early for a full day Delhi tour. After a yummy breakfast at the Lodhi Hotel we headed out around 9am. Our guide first took us to the XXX tomb which was fascinating. There is so much muslim architecture and we learned a lot….

Our highlight of the day was the Old Delhi tour. It was chaotic & scary in our rickshaw tour. Connor loved the chaos of the streets, people everywhere. We saw lots of kid begging which was tough – they are so cute. There were monkeys climbing on the building and jumping around which Connor thought was fun. We saw so many power cords everywhere

Rickshaw ride

We visited a Hindu Temple which was fascinating