A Symphony of Cultures: David’s Thrillophilia Review for a Trip to Golden Triangle
To travel in India is to embrace the chaos, the colors, and the contradictions that make life extraordinary - Anita Desai
Our family has always been fascinated by the variety of cultures around the world. So we decided it was time for us to explore one of them up close. After talking about several countries, we felt India was the perfect place for us. It had everything we were looking for - vibrant festivals, historical significance, and rich traditions.
As we were checking out various tour packages online, I stumbled upon an advertisement for Thrillophilia. The vibrant images and detailed descriptions grabbed my attention, sparking my curiosity about the unique adventures they offered.
I was amazed by how things worked out - traveling to India with an Indian travel agency...what a pleasant coincidence!
A Tapestry of Experiences
As our flight was about to land in Delhi, the chatter and laughter of fellow passengers erupted. My wife, and our two boys, were practically bouncing on their seats.
During our sightseeing tour in Delhi, our first stop was Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, which was one of the most peaceful places we'd ever visited. My wife loved how the golden dome dazzled brightly against the clear skies.
Later that day, we paid a visit to Jama Masjid, where we got a chance to admire its stunning architecture. Moreover, I particularly enjoyed how the aroma of street food filled the air in the area surrounding the mosque. We also visited the Lotus Temple, where all of us got a chance to experience a moment of quiet reflection.
I must say that the Delhi trip was quite fulfilling for us.From learning about the iconic historical events at the Red Fort to strolling in the lush green garden of Humayun’s Tomb - everything was just mesmerizing.
I had only read about these places before and visiting them for real with my family was a special experience.
Exploring India’s Timeless Wonders
It was now time for us to visit one of the most popular places in India - The Taj Mahal.
We had heard a lot about it back home and even came across several pictures that I found interesting. But watching it up close was an entirely different experience for us.
As we stood before the Taj Mahal, we felt awestruck by its architectural beauty. The sunrays reflected off the shining white marble and made it look heavenly. My wife held my hand and shared a smile that said we were both fascinated by the sight of it. Our kids raced ahead, as their laughter echoed against the iconic mausoleum.
We enjoyed a relaxing walk across the lush green gardens that surrounded us - the scent of blooming flowers was simply hypnotizing.
My wife and I watched our boys marvel at the historic carvings on the Taj Mahal, with their eyes widened in amazement. Our guide for the sightseeing tour told us how the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built it in memory of his wife - Mumtaz Mahal.
We captured many moments together and took many selfies with the iconic building in the background. I loved how I could click some funny pictures of my boy posing in front of it. In that moment, I knew it would always stay in our memories, a lovely chapter in our family story.
Chasing Tigers and Historic Tales
Being the big wildlife enthusiasts that my wife and I were, we couldn't help but include a wildlife safari in Ranthambore. Our boys were buzzing with excitement as we headed out in a jeep to explore the national park.
“Are we really going to see a tiger?” my kids asked, looking at their mother.
“Let's keep our fingers crossed,” she said, delighted at their curiosity.
As we navigated the rugged terrain of the park, we spotted deer and other animals, but tigers couldn't be seen anywhere.
Just a few minutes later, I saw something moving behind the trees - and there it was! A tiger moved with grace, quietly trailing its prey, about to catch its meal. The boys had their eyes glued to the sight, they couldn't believe the majestic creature.
But that wasn’t all of it. There was more to our adventures - Next, we headed for Jaipur, 'The Pink City' of Rajasthan. My wife was particularly excited to visit the Amer Fort which was among the most historic forts in the entire state.
As we explored Jaipur, the cultural capital of Rajasthan, we were spellbound by its historic beauty. Visiting the Amer Fort was a fantastic experience, as we got a chance to learn more about the historic heritage of Rajasthan. It truly felt like a dive into the vibrant culture of the state. Nahargarh Fort offered stunning views of the city, while Hawa Mahal's stunning architecture left us in awe.
From Majestic Forts to Serene Lakes
It was an incredible feeling - the more we explored India, the more curious we got.
I guess the official tourism board of India found the perfect words to describe the nation on their website - Incredible India.
Having covered Jaipur, we couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement about the towns we were going to visit next in Rajasthan.
The Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur was mesmerizing - with huge walls and ceilings covered in years of history. I particularly liked how our driver for the sightseeing tour shared several interesting stories with us along the way. He told us that Jodhpur is also known as 'the Blue City' - And I realized why when we explored the blue-painted houses in the old town.
During our time in Jaisalmer, we explored the Jaisalmer War Memorial where we paid our respects to martyrs. Another site that we explored was the Jaisalmer Fort, which, to our surprise, still served as a residence for many locals.
We also had a great time in Udaipur, 'the City of Lakes', where we admired the breathtaking views of the City Palace. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life, gliding across the calm waters of the lake with my family during a sunset.
We spent around 2 weeks in India, and the experience was so outstanding that we were left wanting more.
Thank you, India, for being such a fabulous destination. Hope to see you again...soon!
Read More: Thrillophilia Golden triangle Reviews