Travel with Sanil
to...Rajasthan

Part 4 (read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3) of our Travel with Sanil series features another one of author Sanil Sachar’s favourite destinations: Rajasthan.  He is all set to release his new book, The Dark Side of Light, which features an exciting new travel story: ‘An Everlasting Travel, a Never-ending Journey’. Some excerpts from the interview:

First, the basics:

Favourite fort?

- I absolutely love Amer Fort and all the history and architecture attached to it. If only I got to learn history in school through such visits, I would have been much better at it!

Favourite Rajasthani food?

- Rajasthani kadhi and laal maas tie at first place.

Favourite place to stay?

- The Oberoi, Rajvilas, hands down! One of my favorite properties in India.

Let’s Dig Deeper

Rajasthan is steeped in history. Are you big on history? Does it influence your writing?

- I am not very keen on history as a subject. And considering the marks I got, it seemed like the subject didn’t like me either. Nonetheless, I’m always open to learning more.

If you had to write a medieval Rajput romance, where would it be set?

- In Rajasthan…haha! Ideally in Udaivilas, on Udaipur’s Lake Pichola. With the Jagmandir Island Palace only a boat ride away, even the wedding venue would be ideal and highly convenient.

One offbeat destination in Rajasthan that you’d recommend.

- A lot of people recommended that I go to the Pushkar Camel Festival. I haven’t had the chance to visit yet but I’ve heard it’s an absolute treat!

Tell us a favourite travel memory.

- I was on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver celebrating my 11^th birthday when I had the entire carriage I was sitting in sing me ‘happy birthday’. What made this even more of a cherished memory is that a lady sitting near us gifted me a keychain she had bought for her grandchild. I still have that key chain hanging off my shelf.

What’s the first thing you would do if you discovered you were heir to a royal throne?

- Go to the palace and reconfirm.

Speaking of which, what’s the most lavish vacation you’ve ever taken?

- I spent 7 days on a cruise to Alaska and although I have had some great holidays, cruising through icebergs at subzero temperature was a surreal experience.

What kind of traveller would you describe yourself as?

- I don’t check the time when I travel; when on holiday the sky is my clock.

And what kind of writer?

- Versatile, I hope. My upcoming book The Dark Side of Light consists of poetry, short stories and scripts.

What’s your one guilty pleasure while travelling?

- I eat with a ‘no-holds-barred’ policy.

What would be the title of a book about your travels?

- ‘An Everlasting Travel, a Never-ending Journey.

An Indian writer who inspires you.

- Ravi Subramanian. Along with his work, his persona and positive nature is very inspiring. I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with him, discussing literature and its place in India. His guidance was very generous and motivating.

Rapid Fire

Camel ride in Jaisalmer or jeep safari at Ranthambore?

- I’m not a fan of camel rides and I love the jeep safari in Ranthambore—I’d pick it each time!

Road trip through Rajasthan or a week on the Palace on Wheels?

- I’ve heard and read lots on the Palace on Wheels and would love to experience that.

Daal Bati Churma or Ghevar?

- Daal Bati! I might just go get some now!

One song that makes you want to travel

- I can name a movie that comes to mind straight away: ‘The Darjeeling Limited’.

Your favorite travel resource

- I’m more reliant on local recommendations than travel resources. 

Coolest travel souvenir from Rajasthan

- I got a couple of Rajasthani Turbans from the locals, which was very generous of them to give.

Pre-order Sanil’s latest book at http://thedarksideoflight.in/ and watch out for his exciting new travel story, only on the MakeMyTrip Facebook page. Have something to say? Tweet to him @SanilSachar