Dogster's Next Adventure: India again. Draft Itinerary Unveiled!
 

Here’s my draft itinerary for part of next year’s travels. Some of it is a bit obscure so I guess response will be muted but I’d love to know any reports on the Rajasthan portion. I’ll be staying three days in most places. Longer in Udaipur. As you’ll see, I’m trying to connect some festivals and fairs. Doggie likes it slow.

Prior to this I’ll be in Kolkata, Raipur, the Bastar district of Chhatisgarh for three large local fairs, Indore then Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar and, if I can arrange it, a huge tribal mela in Chhotra Udepur during Holi. It’s all too obscure to canvas here.

Then:

Mar 15. AHMEDABAD: House of M.G.
www.houseofmg.com

Mar 18. ZAINABAD: Rann Riders or Desert Courses [website is down]
www.rannriders.com

Mar 21. DANTA: Bhavani Villa
http://bhavanivilladanta.com

Mar 23. POSHINA: Darbardadh Poshina
www.poshina.com

Mar 24/5/6: The Chitra Vichitra Fair is held at the confluence of three rivers near the village of Poshina. The fair is attended by tribals in great numbers, sometimes exceeding 60,000. The site is believed to date from the time of the Mahabharata, when Chitraveer and Vichitraveer are said to have repented at the Shiva temple, around which the fair is centred. This fair, one of the largest, purely 'Adivasi' (tribal) fairs is attended by around 60,000 to 70,000 tribal people. It takes place every year in the village of Gunbhakhari in Sabarkantha district, very near the borders of Rajasthan. It is held a fortnight after Holi, the festival of colours.

Mar 27. UDAIPUR: Devra,
http://www.mahindrahomestays.com/hom...?prpcod=RJ0006

Pahuna Haveli
http://www.mahindrahomestays.com/hom...?prpcod=RJ0005

Kankarwa Haveli
http://www.indianheritagehotels.com/property.asp?id=167

Mar 29 – 31 The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur and has a unique charm about it. The festival of Gangaur is very significant for women of Rajasthan. It is a time for them to dress up in their best clothes and participate in the festival. They gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession winds its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred to special boats amidst much singing and festivity.
Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fireworks display. Like other fairs and festivals celebrated throughout the state, there is a lot of activity, which keeps the participants in a joyful frame of mind, eager to enjoy every moment.

Apr 1. DELWARA: Devi Garh [off-season rates start today!]
www.deviresorts.com

Apr 4. NARLAI: Rawla Narlai
www.rawlanarlai.com

Apr 7. SODAWAS: Karni Kot
http://www.karnihotels.com/kk_about.htm

Apr 9. SADARSAMAND: Sadar Samand
http://www.welcomheritagehotels.com/...alace_pali.htm

Apr 11. ROHET: Rohet Garh
www.rohetgarh.com

Apr 14. JODHPUR: Still deciding. Suggestions?

Have fun clicking on the links.

nice....are you performing at each of these fairs?

Hi Dogster, I've just started working through the links - looks very interesting with lots of room for some Doggie adventures. Rann Riders looks good - I noticed the Camel safaris and had a mental picture there for a bit but then saw its actually camel cart safaris. Since they have gum trees you should feel at home but don't get too enthusiastic and chase those Ass. They look lovely creatures too.

I'll keep working through and drooling.

Mary

Just skipped to Devi Garh which looks absolutely wonderful - good job the low seasons rates are in!

Wow! What fabulous places! Great heritage boutique hotels and home stays and off the tourist track places to visit. I can't wait to read your adventures!

rhk: I see you have read of my enthusiasm for the performing arts and my particular talent as a thespian.

Yes, indeed, I will be taking my little Dogster Show on the road.

'Le Petomongrel', as he is known, is a fixture at these village celebrations. He sings, he tap dances and for a magnificent finale plays Advance Australia Fair without using his hands.

It blows them away.

so, it must be the drugs they take...

bravo...

Is India prepared for the next Dog and Pony Show? Who will the pont be this time? We avid readers await your journey with almost as much anticipation as you.

Might be a long wait, gpanda. That last lot of stories took me a year to earn. Now I'm back to zero. You'll have to content yourself with remaindered copies of The Dogster Chronicles #1 on Blurb.

Nice job! This is my favorite part of a trip, the anticipation while putting the itinerary together. You've got more than a couple little gems there.

Glad to see you'll be back in India Dogster. We're patient and will let your itinerary develop. It's nice of you to share it during the planning stages.

Be careful at Holi with all the paint and powder that some crowds may hurl at you.

I'm secretly jealous and wish I could enjoy a more leisurely pace when visiting India. That's where you come in. I can travel vicariously through your adventures. :)

Go Dogster!

...a faithful fan

Patient, Scmatient. We want the gory little details that go into the Dogster's Diary. Every stray thought or vision. Our lives are empty. Especially Bob's.

Ok, so maybe "patient" is not the best descriptive for everyone here, BUT I do agree with Gpanda (or Grandpa - LOL when people use that) that we want every juicy, naughty, tawdry detail!

dog - I am sure it will all be amazing as always but obviously can't comment on account of my modest travel experiences - can't wait to hear all about it and live vicariously through you when you post your next trip report (in 2010 perhaps?).

Jaya - it would not be an official dogster trip report without every juicy, naughty, tawdry detail.

I think Dogster is travelling Spring 2009 because Holi is in March.

Yes, but by the time he posts his report it will be 2010 unless he caves to Gpanda's penalty threats.

The penalties are fairly and equitably dispensed. One who writes promptly need not fear the assessment shame.

Dogster, I don't know what time zone you're in, but I hope it's morning soon so you can chime in here before speculation runs amok.

People will have panic attacks if word gets out that your next travel posting won't be until 2010!!!

Morning all. You woke me up. It's 1.15 p.m. here in sunny Melbourne. I'm just on the first cup of coffee. Out carousing? Nah. I wish. Working on my Blurb novel. I'm half way through. By New Year it should be complete. All those rambling reports have been cleaned up, re-written or added to. Now, thanks to Kristina's post, I have a way of finishing the process.

As for 2010. I can't guarantee I'll still be alive. I think you'll have something before then. Perhaps I could write the trip report BEFORE I go.

Juicy, naughty, tawdry details? Me? El Pooch? I am the soul of decorum in here. As I've said before, if the REAL story got out, Katie [Editor] would have me expelled! I'm getting so old and haggard now that only blind people find me attractive. Naughty bits are getting fewer and further in between..

But, of course, not all naughtiness is rudie-nudie naughtiness. On every other level I've become naughtier than ever.

No fear.

This is the great revelation of my last five years of Doggie travels. [Before that I was so career-obsessed I knew nothing but myself. Look at ME! look at me! Look at ME, ME, ME! ] I thought I was travelling the world - but I was only travelling in the country called 'Dogster'.

I got bored with that place.

We don't want you to catch the ire of Katie the Editor either (although I bet she secretly likes your stories too), just remember to toss us some crumbs along the way. An occassional juicy morsel is appreciated.

But actually...the real treat is when you throw in tidbits about yourself!

Glad you're travelling how you are now. You've gained quite a following here.

yes, I'm glad I'm travelling this way too. It's been quite a revelation. Actually, the process has only really come together thru this board. You've seen the history. Unless someone had asked me in the first place, I never would have written a word.

And the writing gives me the eyes to see. And the eyes to see give me the writing. And the writing...

I've been secretly congratulating myself for stumbling upon this odd combination of character, India, idiocy and adventure. It makes travel a dream. Literally.

As for titbits: I've been at some pains to remove them. Unless they reveal me in my essential stupidity. I reveal those bits 'cos they make me laugh. Mostly I'm trying to be a participant witness with attitude - I fail, of course - but I try.

Looking forward to your return to India, and the stories that will come out, dogster style.

I know, India has a wealth of history, many customs, many religions, all sorts of things tried over the years, many old traditions still abound, and dogster to fathom all this.

I am already fascinated by the list of places you are planning to visit. And enjoying being part of the planning, vicariously.

How long are you planning to be in India this time?

Three months, magical. That's why I do it so slow. I've found that three days is the perfect length to stay somewhere. One day to arrive and let everybody adjust to you, one day to do the normal tourist things and the last for adventures. Three days is enough to get a whiff of whatever juicy local scandal is in the wind. Mostly I'm tumbling in to somewhere I've never heard of.

I also build in holidays from travelling. Six day gaps, like at Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar, my idea of heaven. I might spend a fortnight getting to know Kolkata more. My word, it's an interesting city.

By the end of it I'm happy to do not very much at all. It was in that zone I dropped in to Siem Reap last time. That's when the best stuff comes.

You have the first month sketched out. What are you thinking for the other two months for countries? Stay in India or move about to others?

All India, Jaya. Incredible India. The first month I have sorted, I'm just waiting on details of three fairs/festivals in Chhatisgarh. Dunno where I'll be for Holi. Last year I was in Goa. I'm over paint.

The last few weeks I might go back to Maheshwar and chill. Ahilya Fort. www.ahilyafort.com
I dream of it.

I'm very mew to these pages, & I really don't like spending the hours on the net that I can see already would be required for a full appreciation of the dogstyle canon - however, this latest itinerary tells me you've got it (travel in the widest sense) right. But you don't need anyone else to tell you that! Still it's great to tune in to these inspired ramblings (in widest sense) from time to time.

Don't need to exhort you to enjoy the trip, because that's pretty guaranteed. Don't get too cocky, we just won the series.

Good on ya.

Heya leon! Good to see you back in here my friend. I enjoyed our last exchange. Been checking your comments re your eventual itinerary. I haven't tried Cochrane's so I'll be interested in your report. Where are you staying in Darjeeling?

So cool you're hitting Yangsum Farm - tell the guy Hi! from the man who got lost. [I'm the only guest that EVER managed to get lost up around the monastery after evening puja - something you gotta do BTW] He'll tell you about Doggie.

Best room at Yangsum is the honeymoon suite, separate cottage. Trust me. And the food at Yangsum! Lordy! Stunning. Boggling. Fresh!!!! Organic. Lordy! Lordy!

Go see the lady with 16 children.

Where else are you going up there?

Goa: You'll probably pass thru Panjim. Within a block of the Panjim Inn are two excellent restaurants. One is old style Portugese. The other is the coolest little dive about 300 yards from Panjim Inn. Forgotten the names.

Old Goa is totally boring. lol. And prepare yourself for pale, Russian package tourists. Basically - don't do ANY of the classic tourist things, make your own err... entertainment, and you'll be fine.

A slow waddle thru the Anjuna beach area should provide you with anything you need to help you on your way.

But I want to know more leon.. I have my eye on you. Lol.

Now this is WOW! The homestays look & sound amazing, as does everything else. In addition to being our teller of tales, you are also our trip planner. I'll never have 3 months, but I can dream...Thanks for posting.

"Old Goa is totally boring." - not during the St. Xavier day festival, believe me! Then it's mobbed by loads of people in their best clothes, first attending mass, and then the street fair. But that's in December.

Great programme!! Jodhpur suggestions -
Balsamand - www.welcomheritagehotels.com
Ajit Bhawan - www.ajitbhawan.com
Ratan Vilas - www.ratanvilas.com
Pal Haveli - www.palhaveli.com

Youve skipped Mt Abu..have you been there already and stayed at the Jaipur House? - www.royalfamilyjaipur.com/

Since youre headed back to Maheshwar at the end, you could consoder -
Dungarpur - www.udaibilaspalace.com
Dhar - www.jhirapalace.co.in

Finally managed to work my way through all your links. It looks great and I'm green with envy. How's the rest of the planning going or are you too involved in the books still?

Thanks again nik. Yeah, I had those last two places on the list. I'm feeling pleased with myself, I've just managed to find a tent city in the Chhota Udepur area for their mela/fair/whatever it is 7/8/9/10 March.

Now, I'm trapped in the furtherest, darkest, deepest corner of Gujarat, on Holi - not knowing where to go. Lol.

I'd love to know your suggestion for the grooviest, boutique-iest, oddest, most unexpected place to stay in Jaipur, BTW. In the middle of it, fantastic food, a little bit crazy. I bet you know just the place.

Hi mary, I didn't see you there.
I'm right in the middle of planning. Being screwed around by changing dates of obscure tribal festivals in Chhatisgargh and Gujarat, but I'm making progress. Right now I'm thinking of dropping Ahmedabad [where I've been] and going to Bhuj and this place

http://www.hodka.in/shaam.htm

I'll blow out the Little Rann of Kutch and go to the big one instead.

I've decided to blow out logic and follow my intuition. As we both know, there's many ways to swing a cat. I'm going to go to as many tribal festivals, melas and religious celebrations as I can. In between I'll sit, solitary, on my heritage balcony and dream of tomorrow.

That looks good too. Seems fair to blow away those ass. I like the idea of the crafts but then I would.

The whole trip sounds wonderful - just what I imagine you doing - lots of festivals and dances. Hope you are taking the blundstones.

Do keep letting us know whats in your mind - well the travel bits anyway.

Hi Dogster, I'm enjoying watching your planning develop. March is coming quick isn't it?

It'll be mid-February, I think - if these Bastar Festivals will make their mind up about dates. I'm on the edge of drawing a line under the planning now. I have availability at most places where I need to secure it. I've ditched the people who have screwed me around, sent a couple of terse E-mails and dumped those who just thought I was a walking wallet.

Soon the great day will come when I drink too much and book it all in one go. Three, four days, I reckon. Then the fuse is lit.

When you venture into non-touristy/off the beaten path areas, how do you go about eating without getting sick?