Travel report

Magical and the superlative of authentic

The Ashok hotel, Ashok beer, Ashok curries, Ashoka, the Indian emperor who lived about 300 years before Christ is still popular. He was against violence and for tolerance and vegetarianism. Lentils and chickpeas are often used alternatives.

Our tower of strength, guide Vikrant, is well-grounded in history and tells us interesting stories about the history of his country and the background stories of the 1001 curries of his country. Madras curry is for example the speciality of the people from Chennai, the former Madras. And Jalfrezi is as a matter of course spicy, because Jhal means to eat spicy!

We travelled quite a lot through India, especially by train, to discover the tastiest flavours of India. What a wonderful, authentic country. The small streets, the rickshaws, that are still doing their services, the unmetalled side streets, the magnificent historical palaces, the beautiful colour of the sky. 

India is a magical country where the people were very curious about what we found so extraordinary concerning their culture, where Mustakee still bakes his bread in the traditional oven. India is also the country of the herbalists, as for example Ali, who mixes his herbs self-assured; the result is a fantastic spice paste for Tikka Masala.

In India you still find the ancient romance of the colonial period and a unique, pure cuisine.

Will China be able to touch these experiences?