I arrived in Varanasi by car, and my driver navigated the streets until we reached the gates of the Taj property. As we approached, a necessary security measure, prompted by the tragic bombing incident at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, involved checking the car's undercarriage before granting entry. After confirming our reservation, the car continued along the winding road, eventually encountering a fork that presented two options: one leading to the Taj Hotel and the other to the Nadesar Palace.

Upon my arrival at the Nadesar Palace, I was greeted by an entire team of attentive staff, who welcomed me with a refreshing beverage and promptly offered a tour of the premises. As they guided me through the property, I learned that the Nadesar Palace boasted only ten exclusive rooms, comprising four elegant rooms and six luxurious suites. The staff emphasized that I should treat the palace as if it were my own home, encouraging me to make myself comfortable in the shared sitting rooms, lounge areas, and the grand dining room. The idea of leisurely exploring the palace's nooks and corners filled me with excitement, especially when they mentioned the inviting balconies overlooking picturesque views.

The palace was set within 30 acres of well-maintained gardens, featuring mango and guava orchards, a pool, pond, and even a mini golf course. To help me get familiar with the expansive estate, they suggested taking a ride in the royal carriage, which was gifted by Queen Elizabeth II to the Maharaja.

The staff's warm hospitality and the opulence of the palace made me wonder if I had made a mistake in my currency conversion. The surroundings were far more luxurious than what I had expected, and I felt like royalty myself.

After my brief introduction to Nadesar Palace, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Vikas Nagar, the Operations Manager. He reiterated that the palace would be my home for the next few days and offered his assistance with anything I might need during my stay. I expressed my interest in visiting Ramnagar Fort and requested help with transportation. Additionally, I couldn't resist asking about the possibility of meeting the Maharaja, sharing the story of my journey and Karl's encounter back in 1901. Mr. Vikas Nagar kindly agreed to inquire about the meeting but mentioned that the Maharaja was currently out of town and staying in Delhi. I appreciated his kindness in indulging my request and felt that I had definitely given my best effort to set up this meeting.

Then I was shown to my room.

My room on the second floor of the Nadesar Palace was lovely, and I couldn't help but notice the old photographs hanging on the walls, probably of the Royal family and past guests. It excited me excited to take out my camera to capture those memories and experience the upcoming carriage ride.

Every room in the palace was stunning, with high ceilings, four-poster beds, clawfoot baths, and the nice touch of offering fresh nuts and snacks along with tea and coffee. But what I loved most was the location of my room. It had a massive porticoed balcony just outside, connecting to the central entryway and another room. I knew I'd be spending a lot of time there, enjoying the view of the extensive grounds, sipping tea, reading a book, and watching kites soar in the sky from the nearby village.

After enjoying a cup of tea and a handful of almonds, I continued my exploration within the palace grounds and booked a time for my carriage ride. The entire palace was filled with antiques and various art pieces, which beautifully reflected the history of the Royal family. The walls adorned with portraits of the successive Maharajas, including the one Karl had met, exuded the local heritage. I couldn't resist capturing the essence of that history through numerous photographs of those images.

Soon, it was time to meet Naseem Mohamed, the carriage driver. With a warm smile and an air of ease and joy, he guided me on a tour of the property. Naseem came from a long line of carriage drivers, being the fourth generation to proudly hold this role. The carriage slowly meandered through the manicured gardens, passing cultivated lands and orchards. We paused occasionally for me to snap some photos of the peacocks and monkeys that inhabited the property, Naseem sharing that in his grandfather's time there had been elephants and tigers!

Once the carriage ride concluded, I set off on my own to explore the grounds. My first stop was the garden, where I admired the marble busts.There were two busts, one of H.H. Prabhu Singh and his son, but not his grandson.

The beautiful property of Nadesar Palace, the carriage ride, photographs, and marble busts were all unexpected surprises for me. As I experienced them, I felt like I was surrounded by the spirit of the Maharajas from the time of the British Raj. The atmosphere was truly enchanting and made me appreciate the rich history that permeated the Palace, taking me back to Karl’s time.