I have been itching to document this very special set of memories on the blog, lest the only other digital location they reside on - Instagram - goes AWOL because of an attack on the electric grid, Meta’s evolving success strategy or some other new insane-but-very-plausible cause of doom that’s just part of life in 2022. It’s why I always make the time to write on my blog, even if Instagram captions are so much easier, which makes the fact that I didn’t immediately blog about our sisters’ staycation at a bucket list worthy destination nuts. Nuts, I tell you!

It was just about a year ago in March 2021 that we spent a glorious weekend at the incredible Neemrana Fort Palace in Alwar, Rajasthan. After a few nights in Delhi (that blog post needs doing still!🙈), we booked a cab for the short 3h drive across state borders into Rajasthan, the one Indian state that’s probably captured most of my imagination for pretty much most of my life. While cities like Jaipur and Udaipur have claimed rights (and deservedly so) to an international audience now, Alwar is proof to me that there’s so much more of the state to enjoy and explore. If you’re in Delhi with a few days on your hands, the ~5h drive or the short flight to Jaipur is entirely doable. But if like us, a quick R&R weekend steeped in Rajasthani culture is all you need, Neemrana Fort Palace hit the spot to say the least. Even more so if there’s a special occasion in mind! Call me selfish, but my sister’s engagement had just been scheduled then and I knew that it was my last opportunity to plan any sort of bachelorette-y thing for her before the wedding. I’m so grateful now for the memories we made on this trip, and I hope she’ll hold on to them as dearly as I know I will.

My March trip to India was special for another reason- it was my first time going after 7 long years. As anyone relying on US visas for education and/or employment will know, the freedom to travel internationally, even if it is the country of your citizenship (🤯), lies at the center of a complex maze of rules & procedures often beyond one’s control. Add the pandemic into the mix, and my own personal maze had been an unsolvable gridlock for 7 years prior to 2021. That first week in India in March ‘21, as we traipsed through Delhi and then luxuriated at Neemrana Fort Palace, my eyes would repeatedly well with unbidden tears and I’d have to blink very rapidly to compose myself in public. The longing and the homesickness that had become a part of me was dispelling at long last.

Since this trip, I’ve been able to go back a second time for my sister’s wedding and I’m SO grateful for it, but thinking about that March-April visit when I could reclaim my motherland will always make me emotional. If you happen to be living through a similar frustrating situation, I know what you’re going through and please accept my virtual love.💗 If you know someone else who is, reach out and give them a hug; I know first hand how lonely and triggered one can feel underneath the semblance of normalcy.

Okay, moving on. The main thing you should know about Neemrana Fort Palace is that it’s a preserved 15th century fort palace turned into a heritage luxury hotel, making the entire property a historical dream to experience. Second, the town of Alwar is nestled in the Aravalli Hills and the Fort Palace is built right on it, which made walking through the sprawling hillside grounds a diverse and unique feast for the senses. I also want to note this for readers with physical challenges- make sure to select rooms thoughtfully upon referencing the map, as stairs are the only way to access higher levels and certain amenities. Third and finally, the food, service and amenities were all top-notch. We thoroughly enjoyed the daily buffet-style Indian spreads that always included local specialties, positively fainted at the sight of the two beautiful pools and while some of the hotel-run activities like camel rides and excursions into the main town were suspended last year because of COVID-19, they all seemed well-reviewed during healthier times.

And now, please enjoy this photo album with some of my favorite travel moments of all time! I hope you get the chance to visit this gorgeous part of Rajasthan sooner than later.☺️