​Relax Asia Tour 2015 - India - Rajasthan & Beyond

First of a 12 Part Video Series highlighting our 2015 travels in India. This video was shot in Kolkata over 3 days prior to the tour commencement in Delhi.  It features the area south of Park St., The Hooghley River Ferry, Flower Market and the 'movie set' streets of North Calcutta.

​Part 2 of Relax Asia's 2015 tour of India. This video, shot two days before the commencement of the tour, features the chaos of Old Delhi.​

​Tour group arrive from Melbourne and almost immediately are confronted by culture shock as we dive into the chaotic, labyrinthine streets of Old Delhi.  This is the third in a series of travel videos highlighting an amazing month spent in India. From Calcutta to Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur & Mandawa. This video features Old Delhi and Sarnath.  Next video - the mind-blowing Varanasi. ​

The most intense day I've ever experienced throughout all our travels. This video features part of one day in Varanasi and includes a manic Rickshaw ride, a crowded walk to the ghats and an Aarti on the banks of the Ganges.  Frenetic, emotional and an overwhelming assault on the senses.  Have included no music on this video as the natural sounds are an integral part of the mayhem.  In the next video, the evening continues with an unforgettable Rickshaw ride back to some breathing space. ​

​India 2015 part 5 - following on from Part 4 and the evening Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges, we make our way back to the hotel on foot and Rickshaw.  When much of Varanasi was affected by a power outage, the streets became totally jammed with pedestrians, cyclists, rickshaws, motorbikes, cows.  We finally made in back around midnight for a short sleep before hitting the streets again at 5 am for a walk down to the river and a spectacular sunrise boat trip. ​

​Visiting the temples of Khajuraho and taking 4-wheel drive vehicles out in the surrounding countryside and villages.  We stopped at a waterfall/rapids and then spent some time interacting with very welcoming locals who ( I hope? ) invited us into their village. ​

​2015 Tour of India continues.  Returning to Khajuraho from the surrounding villages in 4-wheel drive vehicles.  Procession of young devotees on the road leading to Jhansi.  Train to Agra where we visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.​

​The road to Jaipur, night-cap at a Maharaja's Palace, The Wind Palace, Agra Fort and then an incredible parade along the main street of Jaipur.  This parade happens one day each year and we jagged it. ​

​Trishaw ride through the streets of Jaipur.  We stop en route to Uduaipur to visit an ancient cemetery,  then check in to the beautiful Retreat Resort.  Video includes lively street scenes of Udaipur town.​

​Udaipur - Jodhpur.  We visit the fort at Udaipur before a boat ride on Lake Pichola.  Drive to Jodhpur stopping at the Jain Temple in Ranakpur.  In Jodhpur we explore the Fort & Palace before walking through some of the old streets.​

​The road to Jaisalmer from Jodhpur.  In Jaisalmer we visit the fort,  walk around town and then travel out toward the Pakistan border for a camel ride in the desert.​

​We travel from Jaisalmer to Bikaner and then on to Mandawa.  Staying in a magnificent Palace we wander around the once opulent Haveli and explore the vibrant main streets of Mandawa. ​

​Drive to Delhi from Mandawa.  The group visit the Delhi Jama Masjid and Red Fort.  We fly to Kolkata,  visit the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial,  Mother Teresa's House and then take a cruise on the Hooghly River ( The Ganges ).  From the Kolkata Railway Station we cross the Hooghly Bridge ( busiest pedestrian bridge on Earth ),  walk around the exotic Flower market and wander the frenetic streets of North Kolkata.  The Group depart Kolkata for Melbourne.

I conclude that there are two types of people in the world - those who have been to India and those who haven't.  

An extraordinary country,  a sensory overload that leaves you both exhausted and exhilarated.​