We live to travel To be passionate about exhilarating destinations is as necessary as breathing for those who wish to attempt to satisfy their otherwise insatiable wanderlust. It has been said by many a poet that what lies behind us and before us is not as significant as what lies within us. In the middle of a sacred valley in Ajabgarh in Rajasthan, India lie the ancient hunting grounds of a royal family. The Maharaja Jai Singh camped here in the 19th century during his hunting expeditions in the dense jungles of Sariska where the wilds provided abundant game for his pursuits. During the cool, crisp seasons of the year, the high and mighty echelons would converge in Ajabgarh.

Rajasthan is after all known as the Land of Kings—a kingdom of fortresses perched high above the mountains or at the edge of the arid expanse of the Thar desert. The colors that epitomize this sartorial sanctuary are hues of pink, salmon, gold, and white. In this land of juxtaposed contrasts, every corner radiates eclectic color and culture. Beautiful varieties of fabrics, jewelry, quilts, clothes, beddings, dwellings, linens, and even ancient art proliferate here. From Jaipur, which has earned the moniker the “Pink City” for the color of its impressive walls, monuments of preserved wealth, and palaces built in pink sandstone, we took a three-hour scenic drive aboard a Land Cruiser driven by the friendly Amanbagh chauffeur. Amanbagh belongs to the illustrious Aman properties. Just a few kilometers away is another glorious Aman property called Aman-i-Khas, a royal tented camp in the middle of the wilderness.

This is Amanbagh, where all clocks seem to stop as we surrender to the enigmatic assault on the senses. A veranda of Indian art, a welcoming ceremony with angelic singing, and flower wrist bands gently tied around our wrists made us feel as though we truly belonged to one special family. This is how you are treated at Amanbagh, with this signature hospitality, gracious and sincere. It is the magical experience that truly counts. This modern innovation to the nobleman’s mansion epitomizes the glory of Mughal architecture far from the crowds that gravitate toward Rajasthan. At Amanbagh, my sisters Michelle and Jaqui, together with my childhood friend Rita Trinidad and our Miladay Jewels creative consultant Mike Mina, fell in love with their respective posh two-bedroom Terrace Haveli suites and refused to leave their rooms because they felt so attached to such beauty and grandeur. The executive chef was looking for all of us in the dining room since a special dinner had been prepared.

The delightful cuisine included red pepper pineapple soup, a trio of prawns, croquettes, and samosas with mango chutney, followed by the most flavorful aubergine curry and succulent lamb basmati. Peals of ecstasy filled the air as my sisters declared that the lamb biryani served to us was the most succulent and delicious they had ever tasted. For a sweet ending, we had homemade crème brulee and local delicacies like kulfi and gulab jamun.It was a cool afternoon when we departed from Amanbagh by open jeep for a tour of the charming community where villagers welcomed us with genuine smiles and warmth. Just 15 kilometers from the resort lies the 17th- century Bhangarh, a national heritage site that includes an entire city of bazaars, palaces, gardens, temples, and bathing pools supposedly deserted overnight due to a curse. No wonder Bhangarh is known as the “Abandoned City.” Traditional Indian tea was served at the top of the Queen’s Palace overlooking the whole of Bhangarh and the valley beyond.