It was Wild Frontiers' 10th anniversary of spending Christmas at Castle Bijaipur and it definitely did not disappoint. The day started off with yoga on the rooftop for those who felt inclined, followed by a leisurely breakfast. Two groups went off riding in the morning; a beginners group followed by the more experienced riders. Both groups came back beaming.
A spectacular leisurely Christmas lunch followed, kicked off with champagne and then a feast of curries by the pool before we all collapsed on the sun loungers for a gentle snooze.
Later that afternoon a few people went back and did some more late afternoon yoga with our lovely yoga teacher Kulwinder, while some of us went for a walk through the fields to work off a few calories. It was not a particular fast walk as eagle-eyed KP was pointing out birds in practically every bush and tree, as well as stopping to say hello to some old friends; Bollygram, who was busy tending to his fields and delighted to see us with his big toothless smile, followed by Ratun Raika, the camel man with his two-year-old camel who insisted on giving us big sloppy, if somewhat smelly, kisses – the camel that is, not Ratun! Our final stop was a cup of chai in the village at my favourite chai stand where my old friend Maharaj was busy making numkin, a savoury snack, which he insisted we all tried – very yummy.
The evening was spent enjoying gin and tonics around the fire in the inner courtyard with local dancers from Chittor, who have spiced up their routine with a mixture of local music and some Bollywood numbers. All in all everyone agreed it was a lovely way to spend Christmas and the weather was perfect.
