Royal Paws in Rajasthan

I am Theia Singh Thomas, and here’s my travel tale, which I enthusiastically share with you with a wagging tail!

If you ask me, life is all about new smells, soft beds, a little chicken now and then, my own stuff dog “doggo”, and ball. This trip had all of that and more. Mamma had planned to run something called the Spiti Marathon (whatever that is!). So, Papa planned a whole trip around it. But then there was talk about storms and danger. I don’t understand those things, but I do know, when they looked at me and said, “Change of plans,” I wagged my tail. Because plans changing usually means one thing, adventure.

The Journey is Better with your Furry Friend

First stop? Bikaner. We rolled into a place called Narendra Bhawan. I could tell Mama loved it from the way her eyes sparkled the moment we stepped in. Me? Oh, I was treated like royalty! Everyone bent down to greet me, scratched my ears, and whispered sweet things. I wagged so hard my whole body shook.

They brought me chicken and vegetables. A big bowl, just for me! Not the boring kind either. It was juicy, soft, and so good. Their own golden retrievers came over to say hello. We sniffed, we wagged, we did the polite dog dance. I felt like I had made friends in a new kingdom.

The humans ate something called a Marwari Thali. They kept saying words like “layers of flavour” and “what an experience!” I didn’t understand, but I understood their faces. Happy, full, glowing. Mama even whispered, “Ask for the methi ladoo.” I don’t know what a methi ladoo is, but it must be magical because she couldn’t stop smiling.

The best part? The rooftop pool. They didn’t let me jump into it. I got really mad at them for it.  Mama and Papa couldn’t stop talking about how pretty it was. “Yes, that’s why I wanted to jump into it.”

But then, at night, when the lights twinkled across Bikaner and a giant Ferris wheel glowed in the distance, I sat with them, nose in the breeze, watching it all. For a dog, that’s pure happiness: being with your pack, feeling safe, and breathing in new worlds.

The journey didn’t end there. One morning, Mama said, “Next stop, Jaisalmer.” I pricked my ears. More roads, more smells, more adventure! WOOF!

Love, Leash, and Landscapes

The road stretched forever, and I kept waiting for what they called a “desert.” Papa said it would come. But instead of sand, there was green everywhere! Trees with strange names (Khikar, Mama said) and fields dancing in the rain. I pressed my nose against the window and thought, So, this is Rajasthan? It smells like life after rain.

Then came the camels. Tall, funny creatures with long faces. Strange-looking dogs, I say. I sat quietly, just watching, wagging a little. No barking, I’m a well-brought-up, polite traveller after all.

Jaisalmer – Where Sand Whispers Stories

Like magic, we reached Jaisalmer. Humans call it the Golden City, and oh, it shimmered! The streets were so clean you could almost roll on them (but Mama wouldn’t let me). We finally reached, Suryagarh Palace. If a place could bark, this one would roar. It was massive, glowing like the sun had kissed every stone. But the best part, it was Golden like me.

The moment we entered, the drums started playing. People cheered. I swear it was for me. (Mama insists it was for all guests, but between you and me, I think they were celebrating me.)

Everything smelled of history, stone, spice and something chimmken! I can’t explain. Mama and Papa kept looking around like pups seeing the world for the first time. They pointed at ceilings and courtyards, whispered words like “detailing” and “architecture.” Me? I loved the cool stone floors under my paws and the endless space to run.

They gave us a room that smelled of comfort and sweetness. I even got a taste. Mumma opened the windows to show me my new kingdom. I curled up while Mama went to listen to a singer named Kaki. No mic, no fuss, just a voice that even I could feel in my fur. Later, Mama floated in the pool (yes, floated!) while peacocks strutted nearby. She laughed and said, “If Theia were here, those peacocks would be history.” She’s wrong. I’m a lady. Mostly.

Creating ‘Paw’some Memories

The gardens! Oh, the gardens! Wide open, green and soft under my paws. I ran till my ears flapped, till Mama laughed and Papa clapped. Horses watched me. Birds chattered. I met Nandlal, the turtle. He didn’t wag, didn’t sniff, just… stared and peed. I stared back. We understood each other. Quiet souls, you know?

Let me tell you about the food! More bowls of chicken and vegetables, served with love. I licked every last bit. Mama and Papa kept talking about something called Ker Sangri and methi ladoos again. Whatever it was, it made them as happy as a belly rub makes me.

At night, the palace glowed like the stars had moved in. Lamps flickered, music floated through the air, and I sat between my humans, warm and content. That’s what heaven must feel like, if heaven has belly rubs.

The next morning, sparrows hopped around our breakfast table while someone played music from above. Mama shared a tiny bite of bread (don’t tell Papa). And then, we met ducks. Yes, ducks! They flapped around like they owned the place. I didn’t chase them. (Okay, maybe I thought about it.)

By the time we left, my tail wagged slower, heavier. Not because I was tired but because my heart was full. We had come for adventure, for roads unknown. We found kindness, beauty, and a palace that loved dogs as much as it loved people.

As we drove away, Mama whispered, “This is what travel should feel like.” I rested my head on my seat and thought, yes, this is what home feels like, even when you’re far away.