A lifelong dream, the trip of a lifetime
Madhya Pradesh eluded me for years
Finally a March week happened and a solo trip to Khajuraho came true
A tiny airport, small town, filled with foreign tourists and silence
Freak unpredictable weather, brought power cut, dark night and torrential rains
Luckily the sky cleared up enough the next day for a day exploring the temples
A guide is forced upon you, but worth the talking!! They are skilled storytellers and bring to life the lives lived by the kings and queens and the lust and se depicted on the monuments
The sun disappeared and the clouds took their place, the wind blew hard and the leaves were swirling in front of us
But my friendly driver insisted we visit the Raneh Falls and drove fast against the wind.
The Rain Gods were not patient, it came down in sheets along with the wind the auto was now swaying.
We reached the canyon and waited for rains to abate and the government appointed guide to accompany us on the 1km trail
The waterfalls are naturally formed, while the canyons are shaped by volcanic eruptions
Thanes to the rains, Ken flowed peacefully and calmly.
The trees washed clean and gorge shining.
Rushed back to the hotel to avoid getting stuck in the dark and potholed roads
Next day took me to a safari at Panna
I hoped for a tiger sighting, the stories of having seen one the previous evening kept the anticipation high
we drove through the jungle and stopped at the Ken river. A beautiful sunset treat
We smelt the rain far away, the hoped it would stay there and not ruin our safari.
After a long wait, drive and plenty of sambar deer spotting, we turned back.
Though we did not see or hear the tiger prowling, the green dense forest, the vast grassland, the excitement and company made for a fun drive.
Back at the hotel for the night, with a plan to travel to Gwalior the next day.
Gwalior speaks history
The forts, palaces, cenotaphs all sing a song of yonder
I climbed narrow run down stairs, tread passages where kings and queens had, marveled at the architecture and ingenuity of the builders of yesteryears
The rains played spoilsport again and made me rush back to the hotel for the night.
Next day was a relaxed day, with just one flight departing from Khajuraho, I waited it out, spent the day in silence, observing the yoginis, absorbing the clean air and being at peace.
A memorable vacation, solitude is a blessing.
No one stared, no one questioned, traveling alone was a pleasure.
My pace, My dream place.
