Feeling and experiencing India 7 times

India in one word? Variation!

India is vast and every region is worth visiting. Nature ranges from dry deserts in the northwest to the high peaks of the Himalayas, from plains around grand rivers such as the Ganges to tropical forests and exotic coastal areas. Variation in nature is accompanied by differences in culture and thus gastronomy.

Kolkata or Calcutta

We spent our vacation in Kolkata. Kolkata is the Bangladeshi name for the "City of Joy," located at the mouth of the Ganges River in the state of West Bengal. The city evolved from fishing village to capital of India under the British, who renamed it Calcutta. Now it is a modern metropolis with a rich history and a huge variety of cultures and traditions. In this city you will find today's modern India but also the colonial charm of yesteryear. By the way, did you know that Kolkata is the city of Mother Teresa? Here you experience the soul of India like nowhere else. It is safe, the people are hospitable and curious, and the dishes are full of flavor and aroma. Kolkata is an experience in superlatives and a unique destination.

Colors and scents

I look around me and a wealth of colors and smells greet me. In modern suburbs, in old city centers or in the countryside, among rich or poor, it doesn't matter. You feast your eyes on the shiny saris and the colorful flowers in the temples.

I close my eyes and an array of scents overwhelms me. In the markets and in the streets, everywhere I see fresh fruits and vegetables, stalls with street food, and bowls of spices. Colors, tastes, smells, sounds: in India, your senses work on overdrive.

Masala chai  

You can't travel to India and not taste masala chai. The drink is wildly popular. Vendors brew and sell the tea on every street corner. It is creamy, spicy and sweet and every family makes their own version of it. An absolute must-try!

Masala chai

No dish without bread

Indians love bread and eat it with every dish. There is naan, puri, chapati, paratha, roti. All forms of unleavened bread with their own specific preparations and customs. And all incredibly delicious.

Dosa, beloved breakfast

And then there is dosa, a kind of pancake, eaten mostly for breakfast and even lunch. Dosa is eaten with various chutneys, sambar and aloo masala. Sambar is a kind of soup, while aloo masala is a preparation of spicy potatoes.

It takes me a while to keep the different terms apart but I immediately become a fan of this combination of flavors. The entire dish is called masala dosa and it is eaten all over India, even though its origins are in the south.

Masala dosa no longer has any secrets from me. I am happy to share the recipe with you.

Dosa

Divali, a spectacle of lights

Happy Divali! During our visit, the Hindu people are celebrating the light. Everyone is in a festive mood. The women wear their most beautiful saris, the children are off from school and music sounds in the temples. Good triumphs over evil and a new year is upon us. A good reason to spend a week celebrating and honoring all the gods separately.

The sixth day of the festivities is Chhath Puja. The unique celebration of Surya, the sun god and his consort. We move among the faithful and get carried away with the crowd. Finally, we end up on the banks of the Ganges and share in the joy of entire families asking for Surya's blessing.

Our addresses in India

Hotels

Looking for a hotel? I can recommend the following:

• The Lalit Great Eastern - Kolkata
• The Claridges - Delhi
• The Oberoi Amarvilas - Agra
• Rajmahal Palace - Jaipur
• Mihirghar - Rohet / Jodhpur
• Jawai Leopard Camp
• The Oberoi Udaivilas - Udaipur

Must-do

• Visiting the Taj Mahal.
• Eating dosa at The Chutney Company in Kolkata.
• Going shopping in the bazars: scarves and other textiles in Jaipur and Jodhpur, kitchen utensils like thali and balti bowls in Kolkata.
• Doing a village safari in Jodhpur.
• Enjoying a romantic dinner under the stars in the Thar Desert.
• Going on a leopard or tiger safari.
• Visiting the many forts and palaces of Rajasthan.
• A ride in a rickshaw through Delhi's old town.
• Visiting the Gandhi memorial in Delhi.
• Visiting a temple.