Page 80 - LIN_December 2022

India Travelogue

PALACES, PEACOCKS AND PRANA by Lisa Spiller

Splice together the movies Octopussy, Aladdin, Crazy Rich Asians, our free hand. Here in the bush, under the glow
Monsoon Wedding and Slumdog Millionaire and insert yourself of fire torches, we were served a traditional
into the picture; this is what a blockbuster luxury vacation to Indian dinner of barbecue chicken with masala
India looks like. sauce, spaghetti with lamb, steamed vegetables,
On my custom guided Micato Safaris journey to India this naan, and rice.
spring, the magic began when our plane touched down in Delhi Our dinner conversation with our Indian
after a 15 hour flight. We were whisked off to the Taj Palace guide Hemendre Singh, turned to holy cows,
Hotel, where one easily finds an exotic mix of guests dressed in yoga, karma, reincarnation, and the caste sys-
saris and turbans, business suits, and sparkling cocktail dresses. After a sound sleep in plush tem. The Hindu believe that they have three
surroundings, we travelled to Jaipur where we checked into the iconic Taj Rambagh Palace, the mothers, Mother Earth, their birth mother, and
former royal residence of the most beloved Maharaja of Jaipur, Sawai Man Singh II. the cow. All three give life and are considered
We were greeted by ecstatic horns, ceremonial drums, and brightly dressed belly dancers swirling sacred. While India is home to many exotic
in circles around a handlebar mustachiode whirling dervish. Stately uniformed doormen in ruby animals including tigers, elephants, camels,
turbans and cross-body sashes greeted us “Namaste.” A dozen concierges in pink embroidered saris peacock, antelope, and wild boar, cows wander
welcomed us with fragrant flower leis and pink hibiscus champagne. They escorted us up a grand freely everywhere. You will find them gathered
staircase, past marble inlaid fountains, through sandstone arches and down gilded breezeways into in the middle of busy four- lane highways, in
opulent royal suites. My suite featured a four-poster bed, plump pink velvet pillows in a sunny doorways and on sidewalks. The cow has the
window box and French doors opening to a sprawling marble terrace overlooking manicured right of way while humanity toils around them.
gardens where dozens of wild peacocks and monkeys darted between roses and bougainvillea. Yoga is a way of life for the Hindu culture.
The royal executive chef prepared an Indian-Asian feast in the Gold Room, where otherwise “Yoga helps your flame burn slow.” Namaste,
important dignitaries have been entertained for decades. We were butler-served on 24K gold-plated “I bow to you” is used as hello, goodbye, and
custom Versace china, drank wine out of 24K gold goblets, and with each 24K gold forkful, we ogled thank you.
the three 150-year-old Murano glass chandeliers overhead. Karma serves as the compass from which
I visited the spa in the afternoon where I swam in the same pool as the honorable Maharani all kindness flows, “whatsoever you sow, so
Gayatri Devi did during her residency as the third wife of the beloved Maharaja. As I stepped from you shall reap” and “there is a consequence for
spa into lush rose gardens, exotic birds called from the flowering trees, the arid breeze rustled palm everything.”
leaves, and gentle, inquisitive resident peacocks curiously approached and allowed me to feed them Reincarnation is their belief that every living
right from the palm of my hand. creature goes through life cycles. The monkey,
A horse-drawn carriage rolled up alongside me and a dark bearded footman in a jeweled turban the ant, the peacock could all be beloved ances-
hopped off, pulled out a stepping stool, presented his white gloved hand and asked me if I wanted tors in another life cycle. The cow is the last life
a ride. With the clap of hooves and peacock calls, I was driven through the sun-dappled grounds cycle before humanity.
until the clock on the palace tower struck 5pm, at which time I ran inside like Cinderella to freshen In the Hindu culture, one is born into a
up for our evening adventure. caste and dies in the same caste. The caste
As dusk fell, we traveled to a private farm where one can go “glamping with the elephants.” system consists of warriors, brahmins, work-
Free-roaming elephants greeted us and eagerly devoured alfalfa, molasses, and bananas which we ers, and traders. Our guide was of the warrior
fed them with our bare hands. We trekked elephants through the bush until the exotic music of caste and was a step farmer. We suspected he
a snake charmer and snake dancers lured us into a forest glen. Mesmerized by the exotic ritual, had royal ties because he was invited by the
we let the elephants wander off and immersed ourselves in the magic of the moment. While they Maharaja to the royal box at the polo grounds
performed, henna artists tattooed our hands with intricate artwork, and we drank wine with the following week.

Lisa is a Luxury Travel Advisor with Preferred Travel of Naples.
To contact Lisa: Lisa@PreferredNaples.com I 239-450-1746 I www.PreferredNaples.com

80 Life in Naples December 2022