My favorite country…
India!
Friday, February 21, 2025
at Mela Kothi, Chambal Safari
I enjoyed a “lie in” this morning, as Philippa - my beloved British co-conspirator would call it. For the first time in a couple of weeks of traveling, we have nothing on the agenda till later this afternoon when we’ll visit another spectacular off-the-beaten path sight.
My eyes filled with tears as I reflected on these recent two weeks as well as the past umpteen years of my life. I snuggled under the coverlet as my feet searched for the still-warm hot-water bottle they placed between the sheets last night at turn-down. I gave thanks for the blessings and opportunities I’ve enjoyed, as well as for the difficult lessons that helped me grow.
I love this country. It was exactly one month ago when I posted a blog entitled, “Goin’ Back to India,” which explained a bit about the Maha Kumbh Mela festival, which was the impetus for this particular journey at this particular time. I promised to share more about that - and I will … but not on this posting. That experience was many days ago - and I’ve seen and done and tasted and listened to SO much in the days since then.
On my walk to breakfast this morning I heard chattering the trees overhead. This area is renown for its birds so I looked up, expecting to see some variation of colorful feathers but saw nothing but large brown leaves all aflutter. Standing still for awhile, I realized they were large brown bats. I was absolutely fascinated - as I have been time after time after time on this journey.
Fruit bats on my morning walk to breakfast!
Whether it’s fruit bats, or alligators, or Black-Faced Langur Monkeys, or leopard - or any of the dozens of animal species we’ve seen; or whether it’s naked sadhus (holy men), or local ladies attired in a kaleidoscope of colorful saris, or curious kids wanting a selfie with a white-faced visitor - there is ALWAYS something to witness and experience. I confess to having FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), hence there has been very little time to sit and reflect on all that I’ve seen. So this morning I’m sitting in a private, quiet place to record some thoughts and share some photos on this blog.
I hope you will get an inkling about why this country is such a special place for me!
I’m getting “blessed” by a naked sadhu during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival.
Our next destination - an idyllic lodge called Sarai at Toria -could not have been more peaceful and placid.
We made an excursion to the thousand-year-old temples at Khajuraho, with their sensuous sculptures of beautiful women.
Highway drives were always a fun (and often harrowing) experience!
In Gwalior, there was a traditional Indian wedding at our hotel. I was invited to join the groom’s procession!
Again … highways provide lots of amazing sights. Gratefully, this was NOT our bus!
We enjoyed a river safari on the Chambal River, spotting alligators, turtles, river dolphins and lots of bird life.
In the village of Holipura, once-resplendent “hovelis” (grand homes) were built by members of a prominent merchant clan over the centuries. Many are abandoned, but some are still occupied by descendants. We were invited to enjoy a cup of chai (tea) in one of the homes.