Khajuraho

When Claes Oldenburg said “I am for an art that takes its forms from the lines of life itself, that twists and extends and accumulates and spits and drips and is heavy and coarse and blunt and sweet and stupid as life itself” it is unlikely that he had been to Khajuraho, but it is evident when you visit the town, that this is precisely what he was talking about.

The temples are exquisite, and that is much praise coming from someone who is not a fan of architectural or historical monuments (I’ve oft been chastised for not holding my breath when I visited the Taj Mahal). Intricate carvings on each face of the temples, and one of the best maintained sites in the country. The town is peaceful and charming and welcomes you in a manner that warms the cockles of your heart. The food is scrumptuous at many of the restaurants, especially Raja Cafe with it’s waffles and pancakes, and Mediterraneo (which advertises an Italian chef under Dutch supervision) with the most authentic Pizzas this side of the Tropic of Cancer.

What is less known and equally beautiful is the reletaively unexplored surrounding areas including the 500 odd square kilometre Panha Tiger Reserve and the continent’s only canyon which hosts three score kilometres of the Ken River.

Doesn’t deserve to be missed. A probable new candidate on the retirement wish-list.