Field notes: Abandoning myself to India's energy

Jenny, our US-based India specialist, recently visited Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on a research trip. Here, she talks about her experience – from how India’s colourful and chaotic energy is a joyful assault on the senses, to how Indian hospitality makes all the difference.

A large part of why I enjoy travelling so much is to get out of my head and really tune into the basics: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. It’s a chance to feel like a child again – only with far more freedom and a deeper appreciation of my surroundings. That’s why India is the place to go for anyone wanting to be fully present in every moment – no other place hums with so many calls to the senses.

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Connecting with “Maximum City”

Mumbai is known as “Maximum City”– so I was expecting full-on intensity: and the heat, crowds, food, history and architecture were truly all at full volume from the moment I arrived.

When you visit somewhere with as much going on as Mumbai has, it takes an amazing guide to turn it from a place you pass through into somewhere you actually connect with. And our guide, Aditya Pai, did just that. He made navigating Mumbai’s strength of character not just enjoyable, but easy – showing us facets of the city we wouldn’t have discovered on our own.

At every turn, we were met with smiles – vendors at the Sassoon Docks, newspaper sellers, flower market traders – and greetings that felt genuine, rather than transactional. In a refreshing contrast to my first budget trip to India, where “guides” sometimes led me straight to their cousin’s carpet shop (!), with Aditya, I could let my eyes and feet wander, confident I was in good hands.

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Experiencing “The Venice of the East”

From Mumbai, we headed to Rajasthan – arguably one of the most beautiful states in India. Udaipur, nicknamed “The Venice of the East,” is the kind of place I can confidently recommend to anyone. It’s timeless.

Skimming my hand across the cool waters of Lake Pichola on a boat ride to the Pleasure Palace, inhaling the incense and marigolds in the lanes of Gangaur Ghat, watching fruit bats pour from the mango trees at sunset – it was in these quiet moments that I felt the most grateful, lucky to witness a different corner of the world and its own, unique beauty. At night, I collapsed into a plush king-sized bed, content and comfortable.

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When places defy the camera lens

Known as the Blue City, Jodhpur sits on the edge of the Thar Desert and is best visited in the cooler months. Take it from me – I was there in May, the hottest month of the year, with temperatures sitting around 35°C. While I definitely felt that heat, I still became completely enamored with the city’s architecture and rhythms of life. Overlooking it all is the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, which defies the camera lens – something you simply have to see to understand. Down below, the bazaars around the Clock Tower were buzzing with the sale of leather goods, garam masala and tie-dye sarees. A tuk-tuk ride through the maze-like streets brought a burst of chaos and the rush of wind in my face. It was exhilarating, and I loved every second.

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The importance of rest and recovery

As this was my second time in India, and as a classic Type A over-planner, I came prepared. But part of the fun of travelling is that there are things you can’t plan for! Arriving at our beautiful 5-star hotel in Jaipur, I felt unwell – and couldn’t have been more grateful to the staff who promptly arranged for a doctor to visit my room. It’s services like this that travelling with a tour operator can open up, and I was feeling better in no time.

India’s pace and energy is intense, and that’s when knowing when to rest and recover is important. In my experience, that’s made all the easier when hotel staff, drivers and guides are all well-versed in looking after guests kindly, quickly and with genuine care.

Recognising the need to take things slowly, I found ways to take in Jaipur’s magic, visiting the dazzling Hawa Mahal, or “Palace of Winds” – an architectural attraction that I think is absolutely worth the hype.

Built by wealthy merchants and nobles centuries ago, havelis are traditional townhouses where the building’s history plays as much a role as its multi-generational owners. For me, staying in one was a real highlight. It felt like my own personal showcase of the intertwining of Indian art and history: colourful frescos, large courtyards and museum-worthy masonry and woodworking.

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The Taj Mahal – and a pad thai

Feeling buoyed by people’s warm hospitality, I couldn’t have been more ready to visit Agra. There, I got to see the Taj Mahal for the second time – and even with the crowds, it still moved me to tears – marvelling at a structure inspired by love. I spent a couple of peaceful days in Delhi and took a break from spicier dishes to help reset: pizza, sandwiches, and a surprisingly excellent pad thai (yes, better than some I’ve had in Thailand). My final night in India was filled with laughter among colleagues and a real sense of contentment.

Did my trip go perfectly to plan? No. But did that ruin it? Absolutely not. I never felt unsafe, never felt alone, and never once regretted being there. India is intense – but it’s also incredibly generous.

Will I go back? Of course. I was bowled over by its beauty. The draw of India is far too strong. And I know I have the support of InsideAsia to hold my hand whenever I needed some assistance – just as all our customers do.

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