It’s been a few months now since our trip to Rajasthan, and before it becomes a memory too distant to remember, I wanted to spend some time writing about this crazy country. I’ve been to many places in my life, but very few, if any, had me so torn. India, but more specifically Rajasthan, is without a doubt the most difficult destination I’ve ever traveled to. There aren’t many countries that have made me think, have we made a mistake? Should we fly home early? But months later, once you’ve taken some time to look back on India, you find yourself having an urge to go back. 

It was late August and I was already jobless due to the actors strike, when I receive a text from my girlfriend, Georgie, saying, “I’ve just been made redundant - effective immediately.” Well, that’s not good. What do we do now? Quite quickly, an idea springs to mind, and it begins with “I”. We don’t waste time, and with just a week’s notice, flights are booked, and we’re heading to Delhi. Having had an idea of what to expect after hearing from friends and family, we think we’re ready and well-equipped for the journey ahead. Little did we know, India would be the most divisive place we have ever been. 

Love it or hate it, India is perhaps one of the trickiest places to travel. Somehow, you feel like an entire country is trying to beat you up. At almost every turn, there’s another curveball, a mind-blowing degree of chaos and an unnerving level of discomfort, but at the same time, incredible beauty - it’s a living juxtaposition. As soon as you arrive, it’s a sensory overload. 

It takes some time to get used to it, if ever! But sure enough you become acclimatised. Once you take a step back, a deep breath, and perhaps some time to comprehend it all, you see a staggering country. Absolutely mental, but staggering. The food - scarily addictive, the wildlife and nature - eye-wateringly pretty, the architecture - an encapsulation of pure mastery, the culture - hectic, controversial, and immense, the history - fascinating but scary (like everywhere!), and finally, the people - I’ll just say tricky but wholesome and passionate. 

Our route was simple - tackle Rajasthan, the “Land of the Kings,” the largest state in India. Over three weeks, we would be driven from the capital city of Delhi to the home of the Taj Mahal - Agra, then onto “The Pink City” of Jaipur - famed for its textiles. From there, we headed southwest to the small holy town of Pushkar before heading even further south to the famous “City of Lakes,” Udaipur, said to be the most romantic spot in all of India. Heading north, we briefly stopped off in the jungle village of Ranakpur before arriving in the sprawling “Blue City” of Jodhpur. From there, we drove five hours north again to the “Golden City” of Jaisalmer in the stunning Thar Desert. As we made our way back east toward Delhi, we briefly stopped off in Bikaner and the unique town of Mandawa.

The photos from this trip aim to encapsulate the chaos, beauty, and joy of life in Rajasthan. For a place not seen by many, I want to transport you into these scenes, helping you connect with a world that is so difficult to fully grasp. The vibrant colours, diverse textures, and captivating people of this region are what contribute to its unparalleled uniqueness - an experience unlike any other.