I recently wrote about the Laws of Attraction and the overwhelming desire I have to visit India.
Well, I am beyond excited to let you, my readers, know, that I am making that dream a reality.
This Christmas, I fly out to Delhi for a 15 day trip to India.
Whilst there, I will visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, Mumbai, and last but certainly not least, Goa.
I am travelling with a company who came highly recommended by a friend, and will meet my fellow travel companions on the day I arrive in Delhi.
The trip is basic, so rather than staying in modern westernised hotels, I wanted to do things the Indian way, to get a real sense of the country and Indian life. This means I’ll be staying in traditional Indian hotels (some without hot water!), taking traditional transport (including the odd rickshaw or two!) as well as eating with the locals.
In order to visit Mumbai and Goa, I’ll also be getting two overnight trains! What better way to mix with the locals and to get a real feel for Indian life!
Why am I going at Christmas I hear you ask?
I love Christmas. Or at least I used to. I loved the magic of it. Yet, the last couple of years, I feel as though I’ve lost my Christmas spirit. Part of me hopes that by escaping the chaos of a traditional western Christmas, my festive spirit will return home with me.
It’s also a great time to go from a work point of view. Our office closes down over the Christmas period, which means that for a 15 day trip I will only need to take around 5 days annual leave…
It’s also much cooler throughout India in December and January. With temperatures currently peaking at 48 degrees Celsius in parts of India, there is no way this gingernut would survive in those temperatures!
Although the trip feels a long way off with just over 6 months until I fly out there, I have a lot to organise before I leave.
With visa’s to arrange, travel insurance to buy, vaccinations to brave, a suitable Indian wardrobe to buy, and a home for my furry four legged friend whilst I am away (which isn’t going to be easy over Christmas!), there will be plenty to keep me busy over the next few months.
I still have another flight to book too! Whilst flying to Delhi is easy (a 8.5 hr direct flight from Heathrow), flying back from Goa is looking slightly more challenging, with no direct flights back to the UK.
Whilst I should probably get the return flight booked soon, there is a part of me that is far too excited about the thought of having a one way ticket to India…
This is by far the biggest adventure I will have been on.
It will certainly be a trip of firsts:
- My first group travel trip (there could be up to 15 other people on my trip)
- My first long haul flight on my own
- My first trip to India
- My first overnight train
- My first authentic Indian curry (I can’t wait for this!)
- The first time I will be sharing a room with a stranger (it was much cheaper to risk sharing with someone else on the trip than paying the single person supplement…and anyhow, part of the experience is about making new friends…)
- My first Christmas in another country, as well as my first New Year on foreign soil
I’m sure these won’t be the only firsts either.
My only hope is that I don’t become an India bore over the next few months (please tell me if I do!).
I’m looking forward to gaining a better understanding as to why India is pulling at me, and why everything seems to be leading me down this particular path…
I can’t wait to take you all on this Indian adventure with me 💕🇮🇳✨✈️
