Adventures in India: A dog, a lion and a kangaroo!

We continue soaking up the vibrant culture of India, and today was another delightful chapter in our journey. It began on a quintessentially English note—with a delicious cheese omelette paired with a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea. I must admit, it’s a comforting way to start the day, even in the heart of India!

Today was a bit cooler, with temperatures dipping to a refreshing 35°C instead of the usual scorching 38°C. Our first stop was a treasure trove where we picked up our ever-popular Buddha-fronted items. It was a relaxed start, made even more enjoyable by the company of our long-time friend. To my surprise, I found myself a quirky metal dog gift—because why not add a little randomness to the mix?

Next, we met up with another dear friend and his son. It’s heart warming to see how he’s grown and is now taking a bigger role in their family business. Here, we explored a variety of unique items, each with its own price tag, of course! I felt like I was on a roll when I contemplated buying a charming stone lion for my garden. To my astonishment, it was gifted to me instead! I joked that it seems I’m on my way to starting a zoo!

Our journey continued to a smaller supplier who recently invested in new premises. This place was impressive, showcasing some stunning large items, including the biggest mirror we’ve ever bought—approximately 8 feet by 5 feet! I’ll be sure to measure it tomorrow. As always, he didn’t disappoint with our choice of smaller mihrab and arch mirrors, and we randomly selected the same quantity of two different styles. Oh, and somehow I ended up with a “bamboo kangaroo” as another unexpected gift. A kangaroo? Only in India!

Finally, we visited a larger supplier specializing in ornate carvings, mirrors, and beautiful hand-painted pieces. You all know how much I adore hand-painted items! We picked up some small exquisite doors, our ever-popular hand-painted elephant side tables, mirrors, and some more gorgeous hand-painted trunks that I simply couldn’t resist buying all of (though we really don’t need that many!). A stunning tree of life cabinet caught my eye as well, adding to our growing collection.

By the end of the day, we had each downed a swimming pool worth of water, and we were completely worn out. We returned to the hotel, relaxed by the pool with a lovely gin, enjoyed dinner, and now, it’s time for bed to recharge for another exciting day ahead!

Thank you for joining me on this adventure. Stay tuned for more updates from our travels!

Unique items bought today. Take a look.