If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen that a couple of weeks ago I finally booked flights to India, somewhere I have dreamt of visiting since I was 12!
Recently I have been so desperate for an adventure. Constantly researching where to go whilst trying to still be sensible and save money, it's difficult to get a good balance! So I thought that my travels this year would be restricted to Europe...luckily I was wrong!
Enjoying an ice cream in the Cornish sunshine
In my second year of uni I shared a house with two really lovely girls one of whom was a Masters student and had travelled all the way from India to study in a cold and windy Cornish town. Gauri and I got on from the beginning, I always had such admiration for her travelling all the way to England to study having never left India before. Such a huge step.
England was waaaay to cold for her - something I've really understood since travelling to South East Asia myself, no wonder she was wearing a thick coat in June!!
England was waaaay to cold for her - something I've really understood since travelling to South East Asia myself, no wonder she was wearing a thick coat in June!!
Their traditional Hindu engagement
Anyway Gauri and her long term boyfriend got engaged in November and myself and my family have been invited to her wedding which is taking place 6 hours away from Mumbai. We had always said that when Gauri got married that of course we would attend her wedding.
I feel just so incredibly lucky to actually follow that promise through and attend.
I feel just so incredibly lucky to actually follow that promise through and attend.
As a wedding-addict (comes with the job territory!), it has been absolutely fascinating researching all about the different elements of the THREE day wedding. I just cannot wait to submerge and kind of loose myself in a completely different world! I'm imaging that the brain will be bulging with inspiration by the time I leave!
The more I discuss all the traditions with Gauri the more excited I get, I honestly couldn't tell you what I was most looking forward to the henna party the night before the wedding, choosing a saari or learning some true Bollywood dance moves (polishing the light-bulb and patting the dog anyone?).
Most of all I cannot wait to meet all of Gauri's family and of course watch my friend marry the man of dreams. Happy happy days.
The more I discuss all the traditions with Gauri the more excited I get, I honestly couldn't tell you what I was most looking forward to the henna party the night before the wedding, choosing a saari or learning some true Bollywood dance moves (polishing the light-bulb and patting the dog anyone?).
Most of all I cannot wait to meet all of Gauri's family and of course watch my friend marry the man of dreams. Happy happy days.
Our little travel group consists of my mum, dad and boyfriend Sam - couples holiday (ha)!! Our itinerary so far begins in Kochi, Kerala where we will arrive and stay for a few days before flying to Gauri's for a further 4/5 days. We will then end our trip in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
We have made the controversial decision to skip the Taj Mahal, possibly a decision we may live to regret? But with such a short amount of time in this beautiful country we were looking for a more chilled break, and fighting our way across the streets of Agra/Dehli didn't really fit the bill.
But I have a feeling that me and Sam will definitely be back in the future, so need to squeeze everything into one trip.
We have made the controversial decision to skip the Taj Mahal, possibly a decision we may live to regret? But with such a short amount of time in this beautiful country we were looking for a more chilled break, and fighting our way across the streets of Agra/Dehli didn't really fit the bill.
But I have a feeling that me and Sam will definitely be back in the future, so need to squeeze everything into one trip.
We haven't planned any true trips yet whilst we are there but a float through the backwaters on a house boat will be happening for sure. Would love to know any recommendations anyone might have?
Can't wait to plan all the details our exciting Indian adventure!
Follow my India Pinterest board.
Can't wait to plan all the details our exciting Indian adventure!
Follow my India Pinterest board.
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