a taste of the raj in rajasthan, india

Amber Fort, Jaiselmer

I had a fantastic time exploring Rajesthan in India. Its a beautiful place with incredible architecture, an eye opener with an incredible desert to sleep under the stars in and interesting people to learn from. The palaces, the camels, the remnants of an empire that was so powerfully abundant before the British colonisation still permeates aspects of the culture and ways of being.

My tips for traveling anywhere are to surrender to the flow and follow your heart, things will happen, interesting opportunities unveil themselves and the more local the experience, in my humble opinion, the more real your appreciation for it. If you find that; rejoice in that rare and beautiful opportunity.

Let it all wash over you. 
Don't get all righteous if someone rips you off. It can happen to the green travellers. Rickshaw drivers love taking you on a ride but if you're lucky you'll have a cool dude who plays funky music or will share a tale or two and make you giggle.

I travelled with my 'gay jewish husband' Farrel through a lot of Rajasthan and, as one might imagine, enjoyed it immensely despite needing a few breathers from one another every now and then. Solo time's important co-pilot or not.

Here is a skeleton guideline for anyone passing through:

New Delhi
Gandhi museum
Stay in Bahar Ganj.
If you're brave enough, go and sample some of the local street food in the food market nearby.

friendly police in a jaipur palace

Ranthambhorne
National Park · Tigers + wild life
If you're crazy, try a bang lassy for the first time with a friend before doing the safari.

Bundi 
Hire a bicycle and get out to a remote temple. Watch the sunset from the palace. Get chai from the chai place next to the bike place. You will know what I mean once you are there.

Pink City Jaipur 
Just wander around the city and get lost down back alleys and see what the locals are up to. Check out the Amber Palace, stay all day and watch the sunset glow reflect off the incredibly ornate building. There are a few more palaces worth checking out, one on water, the other you'll hear about.

Pushkar wedding ladies in the street

Pushkar 
Sunrise and sunsets at the temples. Make prayers at all the random temples. Check out the amazing lake.

Jaisalmer 
Explore and camp in the desert. Stay within the city walls. Walk around bare feet on the warm sandstone and be in love with the crafts, textiles and beautiful golden glows. 
I stayed and ate at Shiva's Restaurant. It was magical.

I repeat again: let it all wash over you.