Last winter, I went on a very special trip with my mom to Jaipur – the Pink City of India. It was just the two of us, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the most beautiful memories I’ve ever made. We had been planning this trip for a long time, and finally, during my semester break, we packed our bags and left for a 3-day getaway.
We reached Jaipur by train early in the morning. The cool breeze and the sight of old palaces and pink buildings made us smile right away. We checked into a cozy hotel near MI Road and after freshening up, we were ready to explore.
The Royal Side of Jaipur
Our first place was the City Palace. It was enormous and full of palace charm. My mom is into history, and she was eagerly waiting to have a look at the royal outfits, weapons, and paintings. We took numerous photos near the stunning blue and pink gates of the palace courtyard.
We then walked over to the Jantar Mantar, which is right next door. It’s an ancient observatory, and although I know nothing about astronomy, it was fascinating to see how folks used to use those instruments to measure time and observe the stars.
We saw Hawa Mahal, the renowned palace with hundreds of windows, in the evening. It was enchanting in the golden light. We did not go in, but we loved having masala chai from a rooftop café in front of it. It was wonderful to see!
Forts, Views, and Rajasthani Vibes
The next day was all about forts. We hired an auto-rickshaw for the day, and our driver was very friendly and gave us fun facts about every place.
We started with Amber Fort, and wow—it felt like a scene from a movie. The fort was huge, and the carvings were so detailed. My mom loved the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace). We even took a jeep ride up the hill to reach the entrance. It felt like an adventure!
Next, we visited Jaigarh Fort, which had a great view of the hills and Amber Fort below. My mom and I sat there quietly for a while, just enjoying the peace and breeze.
Later, we went to Nahargarh Fort to watch the sunset. We laughed, took selfies, and ate samosas at a small café there. The view of Jaipur city turning golden as the sun set was unforgettable.
Local Colors and Shopping Fun
On our last day, we visited Albert Hall Museum, and then headed to Bapu Bazaar for shopping. This was my favorite part! We bought colorful bangles, printed kurtis, juttis (traditional footwear), and souvenirs for family and friends.
We also tried local food like dal baati churma, kachori, and ghewar. Mom loved the thali we had at a small Rajasthani restaurant. The flavors were delicious, and we both felt full and happy.
Concluding Thoughts
As we sat on the train back home, mom held my hand and said, “We should do this every year.” I smiled and nodded. Our Jaipur trip was more than just a vacation—it was a time where we laughed, explored, and created memories together.
I’ll never forget this journey—just me and mom, in the heart of Rajasthan. 💖
