With sensory overload in everything, from fragrant spices to vibrantly coloured saris, there’s certainly no forgetting India
Dosa was a rightful start to our trip through India. In a hotel as palatial as the Oberoi in New Delhi, it was unusual to begin our day with such a humble breakfast—basically, a tangy rice crepe made from fermented batter, perfect for swabbing up the chutneys it’s often served with. The dosa itself was majestic. Like India’s history, it has passed through countless mouths since 1 AD.
If anything, our simple breakfast readied us for a full day of sightseeing with our trusty guide Prem Shukla. Passing the remarkable India Gate, a quick walk from our hotel, we found ourselves at the Red Fort, just a 15-minute drive away. Within the red sandstone walls of this architectural wonder once walked Mughal emperors. You can spot the influences of its marble, domes and floral ornamentation in the contemporary landmarks that make up New Delhi. Beyond its stately design, it also inspired a feast fit for kings at Indian Accent, what many consider India’s best restaurant. Behind the restaurant’s inventive Indian fine dining is Chef Manish Mehrotra, who’s given his country’s beloved spices a global fluency. Most memorable was the sweet refrain of Daulat ki Chaat, a traditional dessert that offers foamy lightness, nutty crunch and the chef’s cheeky spin care of the fake money fanning from its bowl.
While Indian Accent fed our appetite for what’s sparking new excitement in the local restaurant scene, travelling south through India the next few days took us further into its rich history. At the Taj Mahal, we strolled through an emperor’s enduring testimony of love to his favourite wife. In Jaipur, we travelled like kings once did. On elephants, my mum, my sister and I rode up to the opulent Amber Palace Complex that once housed the Rajput maharajahs. Each stop revealed sights once shared by rulers—or in the case of the sunken Jal Mahal palace, a partial view.
