Every nook and corner had a story, had magic, then our time at Reggie’s Camel Camp would be its culmination, the showstopper!

This is located at Osian, a small desert town close to Jodhpur.

The car stops at the Gate and you ride on a camel cart across a massive field of sand to reach a second gate, a mini reception, and then you cross over a large courtyard with seating all around, to reach the living room with a massive bar in the center, photographs of past and present and silver trophies all around that tell tales connecting the past to the present!

There are many poignant moments in Reggie’s Camel Camp.

And one of the important ones perhaps is this feeling of a constant connect through the ages.

Mr. Reggie Singh belongs to the Marwar Royal family. His lineage is from the famed Rajput Maharaja Tahkat Singh ji. Maharaja Tahkat Singh ji is about six to seven generations ahead of the current custodians of the House of the famed Marwar Dynasty.

To say that guest is treated like a king in Reggie’s Camel Camp, would not be exceptional. What does stand out however is the feeling that you are very much here and now and yet you are part of a deep culture and heritage of what used to be and still is and may we always retain this ethos.

I have often found myself wondering how does one make heritage and legacy come alive.After all to keep it going it needs to be alive. Not just in Museums and Archives and Grand old Houses which become difficult to retain.

But in people and in a way of life.

This camp gave me a slice of living legacy.

We arrived to banners of “Magic under the Sky”

The massive Mahindra Conference has just got over. A visibly tired and happy Mr. Reggie Singh greeted us as we entered his camp and we got chatting immediately on this and that and on Calcutta where he has spent many years.

Hungry after our long drive, we were led to another beautiful internal courtyard. A massive table was laid out under a shaded section and we were treated to a wonderful lunch, made more appetizing by the warmth and graciousness of service. Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Singh dropped by for some more warm and chatty conversation before they went back home to Jodhpur

Each and every staff member here is cultured to be warm and helpful and yet completely non-intrusive and that takes a fine balance.

There are eight permanent tents here and a hundred more can be set up at notice, as is done for large conferences.

The tents are elegantly done up with a beautiful bed and dresser and the washroom has all modern conveniences. Comfortable luxury in the middle of the desert.

We set out on a jeep for a ride over the rolling dunes to watch the sunset. A bumpy joyride later the car parked on top of a dune even as the sky turned orange.

Silence.

Except the quiet shuffle as the jeep driver and one more person who had accompanied him lay out the gin and tonic and the accompaniments in silver bowls on a picnic table on the sand.

Silence



Photo credits: Inside 1: whatshot.in; Inside 1A: qz.com As you sip your gin and stare at the beauty unfolding.

Silence

As you see a large beetle crawling near your glass of gin that you have perched for a moment on the sand as you gather this sheer moment of mystic wonderment.

Silence

Because these moments need nothing more.

Even at a time that the sun was going down and the moonrise filled the other sky.



Inside 2: osianresortcamps.com; Inside 2A: riffdiaries.com

We came back to the camp to an enthralling performance of Rajasthani folk music and dance.

Set out in the large courtyard with a central sigree, a huge bonfire in the middle as we sat and got encaptivated by the songs and dance and the sounds of local instrument like morchaan.

For an hour and half Babu Khan and his group had us spell bound. A Hindu Muslim group of musicians who Babu Khan introduced as his family. And indeed the bonds of music, language and their livelihood is far stronger than their modes of connecting to the Almighty.

They worship through their Music.

We were gently led to a fine candlelit dinner under the stars. A ten-course affair with continental and Tandoor items.

And then finally tuck into our cozy tents.

Not before playing with Ruby, Khan and Sultan the fierce but friendly dogs of the Camp. Indeed an evening to cherish.

Reggies Camel Camp of its huge courtyards, wonderful portraits and photographs, its comfortable and elegant luxury and its complete veneration and regard for nature and culture stands out in its warmth of hospitality and sustainable and living legacy and heritage.

The morning broke over the sand dunes.

After a spectacular evening.

The sound of Morchaan still ringing in my ears as I went for a sand-dune walk.

Soft sand and mellow sunlight before the sunrays went ablaze.

Sultan (that delightful guard dog) decided to let down his guard and managed his way right inside my tent.

It was a little too soon to say goodbye.

Yet we needed to start off for our long drive to Jaipur.

Banner Left: camelcomposian.com; Banner Center: camelcomposian.com; Banner Right: curlytales.com

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Every nook and corner had a story, had magic, then our time at Reggie’s Camel Camp would be its culmination, the showstopper!

This is located at Osian, a small desert town close to Jodhpur.

The car stops at the Gate and you ride on a camel cart across a massive field of sand to reach a second gate, a mini reception,