Heya Crew, Jin and I are off again this week. I’ll be reading all your comments but might take a moment to reply in spotty Indian WiFi. This year Jin wanted to get back to India to see Ghats and Ganges in Varanasi and the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Who am I to say nay? It’s been many years since seeing either. I’m very excited to see the changes wrought over 20+ years on Varanasi and maybe 15 years since visiting Amritsar. I really wanted us to do both Bhutan and Nepal. Sadly, timing does not allow such lavishness so we are doing India and Nepal. Bhutan will have to wait.
We are also going to see my last longterm partner Varun. For his 50th birthday a couple of years ago, Jin, our mate Rose and I went and celebrated the week before his big day. He and Jin got on like a Maison en Flambé. We have been invited to stay in his family home. I think we are going to stay in one of the family’s hotels. Jin is not comfortable staying with people. I’d have liked to stay in the house. It’s a big old three story cement edifice with a beautiful garden. Maybe one day.
India and Nepal 2025 (Travel Perfumes)
There will be a wide variety of warm temperatures on our travels. Expecting tops in our visited sites from 25-43°C (77-109f). Evenings substantially cooler, especially in the desert areas. So high summer and mostly pretty dry. We will need to have liters of water on hand at all times. It also presents fragrance related problems. So many just burn off in the heat in moments.
So this is my line up for India and Nepal 2025
Eau de Campagne by Sisley
Yes, another FragNet 8ml. A basil and tomato leaf led chypre floral from 1976 that ends in a dry grassy patchouli.
Eau Folle by Le Galion
A ginger spiced aromatic aquatic. Perfect wear to cut through the heat of an Indian summer.
Un Jardin Sur La Lagune by Hermès
Cold salt water and lily with a very interesting trajectory that many found too disjointed but I love.
Pichola 2022 by Neela Vermeire Creations
The 2022 remake of Pichola, even greener and more sparkling. Cut through with gorgeous white florals and ylang.
Santal Blanc by Serge Lutens
Honestly, this is the perfect sized box to keep the rest from bouncing around too much.
Don’t you love the Surrender To Chance boxes? They come full of decants and then when you travel they fill back up perfectly!
What do you think of the selection? What fragrances would you pack for India and Nepal?
Portia xx
Here are some farers I’ve loved in India before
2013, 2017 and
I haven’t a clue what I would pack for India. Maybe something Penhaligon (the old stuff) or AG?
I agree those StC boxes are great..
So happy you guys are having such a great trip!
Heya Tom,
One day you will let us return your generous tour guide adventures in LA by taking you somewhere we love.
I know you’d have a lovely time.
Portia xx
I hope you are enjoying yourselves. I know how much you love India and it seems Jin feels the same way. Pay close attention to events in Nepal. Be safe!
I like the perfumes you have chosen. I didn’t know NVC Pichola changed in 2022. The original was one of my favorites from NVC – now it’s Mohur Extrait. I’m very curious about the new Pichola. You make it sound very good.
Hey Maya,
We are back, safe and sound. We love India and Nepal so much. It was transportive in so many ways.
All the fireworks were done the day before we got to Nepal. All was calm and all was bright. It was an adventure and the people were amazing.
Portia xx
Bon Voyage to you and Jin! May it be a lovely journey full of smooth travels, delicious meals, and beautiful views. I like your scent line up. That Pichola 2022 is another that I need to add to my “To Be Sniffed” list!
Hi DinaC,
It was all that and more. We are home safe.
Oh yes, Pichola 2022 is definitely worth looking for.
Portia xx
I’ve seen on Insta you’re both having a great time. I’m sure your perfume picks are perfect as you know the country so well.
When I travel I buy at Duty Free. What I’ve done previously is order in advance to get a wider choice via Club Avolta. Then I wear that one scent to anchor it to those memories.
I think I’d do that. Take very little and shop there. But I ahve been told that the duty-frees of today aren’t the TJ Maxx style bargain they once were.
Only the sugar spew is really cheap in DF now. Ordering through Avolta Club means you have things like the Hermessence range are available without VAT. A 17.5% discount at those prices is very welcome
You know Andy Warhol used to wear a different fragrance every month so that he would be transported back to that time with one sniff Alityke? Very cool but I could probably never do it.
Portia xx
So cool. I would have loved a good nosey around his fragrance cabinet
Omgosh! Scent Twins on Pichola ( though mine is the original). Absolutely gorgeous in extreme heat!
I’d definitely take the Amouage attars, as they are designed to bloom in extreme heat and last for the entire day, and well into night
Have lovely, safe travels, my darlings!!!
I’ve still got a few pls of the OG Pichola Musette, it’s magical and really does feel like the light hitting Pichola Lake in Udaipur.
I have an STC sample set of those attars and they are bloody divine.
Home now.
Portia xx
I don’t have any ideas of travel perfumes; right now my cosmetic case has G&B Ingenious Ginger and an Ondes Positives rollerball from Yves Rocher as a “freshen up” scent. I haven’t swapped those out for months – perhaps for winter. Have a safe and lovely trip.
I miss Yves Rocher brick and mortar stores – there used to be one in Chicago’s near-western ’burbs… it always smelled like the pharmacy on Lido
Sigh
How do you like Ingenious Ginger MMKinPA? I’m thinking to buy a small bottle myself.
Portia xx
Isn’t there a coup going on in Nepal right now? Be careful. Personally I’d skip it and go to Bhutan instead. But safe & happy travels to you. I’d love to see Varanasi.
I thought about that, too, then I remembered that you can be in peril here… just going to the grocery store
So… ( shrug emoji)
Hey TaraC,
Yes we arrived two days after the revolution finished in Nepal. We went to Pokhara first and the riots were smaller there but we saw burnt out cars and buildings there, one still smoking slightly. We were able to talk to many of the kids who were rioting and they had some real common sense ideas that they hope the new woman Prime Minister will bring into effect. I have great hope for GenZ in Nepal. We were also able to attend a memorial for the rioters who were killed and talk to a couple of the parents who were both heartbroken and proud.
We were going to Bhutan but could not make the timing work. Next time.
Portia xx
What a great sounding holiday! Look forward to seeing more pics when you’re back.
That’s quite an interesting mix of fragrances. The Hermes in particular makes a lot of sense.
I don’t usually plan trip perfumes that well but for my next one I’m going to try. It will next year at some point (I hope — I am beholden to the timing of the Stolpersteine people’s schedule). I don’t plan to take more than a couple for what I anticipate will be around 10 days in southern Germany and Paris.
I’m jealous! I’m going to Peoria.
I’m even jealous of Peoria.
Thanks Cinnamon,
Sadly the phone got stolen with all my pics that were yet to be uploaded.
WOO HOO! For Germany and France. Are you doing a driving or train journey?
Portia xx