India and the Magical Diwali Festival October 2024 - Hostess Roundup by Dawn Caputo

We were a small group of 6 that met at Tullamarine Airport and immediately there was a bond of friendship and the excitement of the adventure that was ahead.
Our tour began in Mumbai, India's 2nd largest city and the country's financial centre. Beginning our tour in the early hours of the morning we visited the busy
 Fish Market of Sassoon Docks, where the fishermen sell their catch the day before the city awakes. Onto the vibrant and colourful Flower Market, where garlands
 0f flowers, stalls of marigolds, roses and other exotic flowers are sold. Afternoon visit to the Mumbai Museum whilst enjoying the city with its mix of tall modern.
buildings, local architecture and magnificent colonial era. A short flight to the city of Udaipur and in the comfort of our stunning hotel we had a "girls night in"
where we had a private Mehndi /henna session, it was great to relax and have fun! Udaipur boasts the beautiful City Palace and the Lake Place on Lake Pichola, magical! 
Onto Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve, where we "glamped" in comfortable tents and cabins at the nearby Godwad Safari Camp. Late afternoon and we were 
off on our first Leopard Spotting Safari. Travelling through the rural countryside and the rough volcanic hills of the reserve we were greeted with the unexpected breathtaking
view of Jawai Dam.The sun had gone down, and the hunt was on! (leopards are nocturnal). Our jeeps drove and bounced over the hills and ditches as our guides searched
for leopards, the excitement of the 'hunt' was exhilarating as was the sighting of not one but two leopards. The following morning, we had a 4am start and a chance to see
the sunrise over the hills of Jawai Dam, we spotted a few monkeys, peacocks but no leopards, the 4 wheel drive and the views were still worth the effort.
Next destination was Jodhpur, known as the "blue city" as many of its buildings in the older districts are painted blue, visiting the impressive Mehrangarh Fort and the close
by white marble cenotaph of Jaswant Thaada. An evening visit to Jodhpurs Sardar Market/Bazar which was full of people, cars, bikes, lights, stalls, honking, beeping but it 
worked and had a strange calm to it all. Continuing north to Khimsar where our accommodation was Khimsar Fort built in 1523 and beautifully restored. Jaipur the 'Pink City" 
was getting ready for the Diwali Festival = Festival of Light, celebrating light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance" It is a festival celebrated all over India.
During this time houses are cleaned and painted, new cars and gifts are bought, homes and buildings are awash with colour. The streets are extra busy, flower stalls lined the
footpaths as people darted between shops buying last minute gifts and sweets for the evenings celebrations. We were privileged to celebrate Diwali in the home of our gracious
hostess Gitta and her family, who of course, is also a Bollywood dance teacher! It is here the " 6 Sensational Saree Sisters" came to life. We had a wonderful evening 
participating in the religious ceremonies and had a birds eye view of the city with all the buildings lit up with coloured lights and the night skies with fireworks. There was 'magic'
in the air as friends, family and strangers greeted each other with “Happy Diwali". Next was Agra, and the much anticipated visit to the iconic Taj Mahal, recognised as a symbol
of love and beauty. It is a mesmerising sight that takes your breath away with its magnificent beauty. Our tour was coming to an end and finishing in Delhi, India's capital and
largest city. It is a city of history and contrasts, busy, colourful, noisy but at the same time has its own special vibrancy that draws you in. Our accommodation was in a restored
traditional Haveli (mansion)located in the heart of Old Delhi near the Jama Masjid Mosque and the narrow laneways of the colourful bazaar of Chandni Chowk. It was the perfect
way to end our trip. I have not mentioned the food! - it was the BEST, not too spicy, not too hot, just right! Shopping! The shopping was excellent. After all, a girl can never have 
enough bangles or scarves!

The tour was indeed magical, India and its people have stolen our heart, we saw many wonderful sights and have made lifelong memories, but nothing beats the fun and laughter
shared with the "Six Sensational Saree Sisters"

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