India is full of surprises, twists, turns, highs and lows.  Aside from a constant supply of sweet Masala tea, there is very little that you can rely on or even see coming in the magical country. Travel can go from awful to epic in a heartbeat and this mysterious untravelled town in India really captured just that!

We arrived in the sleepy, rarely frequented town of Alwar late in the afternoon and were unable to find accommodation.  Rather strangely, most buildings that resembled a promising institute of sorts, turned out to be a school or hospital; so clearly Alwar is the place to head if you get sick.  At first locals were of the particularly unhelpful variety that take no shame in staring but doing very little in the way of helping.  After much searching, a guest house that originally claimed to be full, changed their mind and gave us a particularly impressive room for a grand total of 300 INR (3 GBP / 5 USD). mysterious untravelled town in India

This same evening we went walking around the fort and met a couple of friendly Indian’s who seemed perfectly pleasant and so naturally we swapped Facebook details.  Sadly, this lead to the first time I have had to block someone on social media.  My slightly deranged Indian stalker committed to messaging me over 300 times and calling around 60 times within a couple of days of meeting.  Cool your boots! I’m all for making new friends, but this just got out of hand!

So, Alwar did not get off to the best start, we had very little hope for what the following morning could bring.

We awoke, a bit disillusioned with where we had come to, but decided to brave the strange little town anyway.  Unable to find breakfast of any description we set off to find City Palace. Eventfully we came across a rowdy courtyard of people dressed unusually smart for such a place. We spotted some reliable Masala tea and eagerly grabbed it for an energy boost as we sat down. Promptly, a particularly well spoken gentlemen asked us what kind of assistance we needed, to which we responded none, thank you. He pressed the issue, at which point we realised we had sat down in what was a makeshift lawyers office and that the ruckus in smart suites was indeed a square dedicated to finding legal advice for the rather loud courtroom we could hear in full flow in the adjacent building.

An unexpected day in India

Bemused and feeling like we’re truly not in Kansas anymore (though, we have never actually been to Kansas…) we moved on…

mysterious untravelled town in India

We found the beautiful palace and stunning emerald lake, full of wildlife.  No, I mean FULL of wildlife! This place not only have the usual array of cows and dogs, but was teaming with donkeys, deer and stags! A truly surreal place. There were also some eerie looking giant catfish slithering through the lake which just gave me the heebie jeebies. But I just kept out their way and enjoyed being surrounded by deer and stags!

Then it all changed. 

Whilst exploring the ghats and temples a sweet lady beckoned me in, at which point I then met her daughter and son. This beautiful family lived in a bright blue temple that had a surreal Disney charm to it. As we joined them, they eagerly offered us tea and an Indian almond and fruit filled shortbread by the name ‘churma’. mysterious untravelled town in India

Very sweetly, the beautiful daughter named Kajal was eager to show me how to wear a Sari and thus we spent the afternoon dressing up, taking photos and learning about each others cultures. As Pete joined us, they brought rotti, pickle and of course, more Masala tea.  The kindness and love filled hospitality was both overwhelming and inspirational.  As the time to leave drew close, Kajal and her Mother gave me the Sari they had been teaching me to wear. A family I had only come to know as a result of their kindness and hospitality were now choosing to bless me with a beautiful gift. Humbled and inspired I accepted the gift as a way of remembering the family, my favourite day in India and some of the most inspiration hospitality I have ever come across.

This unexpected day in an unlikely little town has challenged me to aspire to a new level of hospitality. Whether we ever have a home or have to learn to apply this on the road, we left their home knowing there is always room to be that bit kinder and make the world seem the bit sweeter for those around you. mysterious untravelled town in India

It is hard to capture this place, but here are a few more photos to help …

Greater Rajasthan

Rajasthan is our favourite area in India for for connecting with the deep vibrant culture of India. This is the ultimate guide to Rajasthan if you are wanting to fully explore the region. The famous colourful cities, staying in palaces, exploring the desert and of course all the very best food is found in Rajasthan.

Going to Alwar??

We were really lucky that the people who owned the strange guesthouse / non-guesthouse actually let us stay.  Alwar is really spread out and It was really hard finding somewhere that wasn’t really pricey.  I wouldn’t rely on just turning up here and you can get some pretty cheap beds in Alwar through Agoda. (I just checked!) mysterious untravelled town in India

Looking For a Place to Stay ?

From hostels to palaces, India really has it all! There are many really impressive well thought out hostels AND some dreamy fairytale palaces where they greet you with garlands and shower you with petals! It is well worth browsing and booking a few in advance.

Agoda have great deals on hostels, guest houses and hotels if you book in advance.

Book your stay in New Delhi HERE (One of the most eclectic culture rich capitals on the planet!)

Book your stay in Varanasi HERE (Pilgrimage to the holy shores of the Ganges River )

Book your stay in Agra HERE (Perfect base to explore the beautiful TAJ MAHAL! )

Book your stay in Jodhpur HERE (The beautiful blue Instagram friendly city of the west)

Book your stay in Jaipur HERE (The pink city is rich in culture and part of the golden triangle)

Book your stay Jaisalmer  HERE (Ride out into the sunset on camel back, camp in the desert)

Book your stay in Leh Ladakh HERE (Home to some of the world’s most breathtaking trekking)

Book your stay Mumbai HERE (Bollywood shows, shopping, extreme sports)

Book your stay in Goa HERE (Dance on the beach and relax in the warm Arabian Ocean)

Book your stay in Kerala (Kochi) HERE (Explore the backwaters and discover the wildlife )

First Time in India ?? 

Up-to-date blogs (like this one, ahem!) will be a great source of info for exploring India  But If it’s you’re first time visiting, you will probably want to grab a travel guide too. I always think you don’t need more than a ‘Rough Guide‘ as it is about making it your own adventure! They have a cheeper kindle copy as well as the actual book.

mysterious untravelled town in India