FLO Ahmedabad’s Annual Retreat to Bikaner

The FLO Ahmedabad ladies were excited and looking forward to the annual retreat which was scheduled from 8th to 11th January’23 to the enchanting city of Bikaner located in the northern part of the state of Rajasthan and surrounded by glorious deserts.

The short flight to Bikaner from Delhi on the tiny ATR 72-600 was an apt beginning to the adventure that Bikaner was to be. We landed at Bikaner Army airport, late noon on the 9th, after weathering the dense Delhi fog, and were immediately escorted to the gloriously luxurious Narendra Bhawan Hotel. We were greeted by an impressive façade of the building and a sumptuous lunch.

Post lunch we were quickly ferried to the Darbari Lake for the sunset and dinner. The theme of the evening was White Bohemian. Each FLO member outdid the other in their interpretation and execution of the theme and it was one dreamy evening with local folk musicians and dancers and some talented members adding to the repertoire of songs. The members danced the evening away and had to be pulled away from the warm bonfires for the elaborate sit-down Marwari dinner.

The next day after partaking in a heavy breakfast we headed for the Junagadh Fort and were taken around by the guide who regaled us with the stories of the valor, beauty, generosity, and opulence of the royal family. And of course, everyone used the grand setting for some picturesque pictures. The museum adjacent to the fort houses some beautiful textiles, royal costumes, jewels, silverware, enamelware, an armory, and a collection of assorted arms and warfare ware.

Back at the hotel, post an elobarate lunch, a local bazaar was set up at the lovely Diwali chowk on the first floor for the members to get easy access to the local handicrafts, food items, and other nick-nacks. The ladies splurged on the goodies with gay abandon.

The night being the grand finale to the retreat was a sundowner on the hotel rooftop. The romantic décor, the night skyline of the city of Bikaner and a rocking DJ made for an awesome party. Everybody let their hair down and had the time of their life. The dancing, the music, and the food elevated the mood to epic levels.

The next day we started the return trip in high spirits with wonderful memories and warmth of new friendships forged and kudos to Dr. Rachna Gemawat, Chairperson for the personal attention she extended to each one further cementing the lovely FLO bonding.