Today I woke up in a particularly good mood and with great excitement, as our first tour of magical Telangana awaited us. Ever since I arrived here, I had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to immerse myself in its rich culture that I had heard so much about, and to learn more about its traditions and history.
As usual, I started the day with breakfast at the Trident Hotel restaurant, where I took the opportunity to try chicken in curry sauce, an authentic flavor that truly delighted me.
For today I decided on a creation by our designer Jelena Vratnica, who took special care to prepare the dresses that I will wear throughout the competition.
During breakfast, Miss Colombia pleasantly surprised me with a gift that she had carefully prepared. As a token of appreciation, she brought authentic Colombian sweets, which she neatly wrapped and gave to all the girls. I was amazed by her attentiveness, attention to detail, and the warmth with which she presented the gifts. I took the opportunity to get to know her and Miss Brazil better, and both of them won me over with their energy, warmth, and positive spirit.
After breakfast, we returned to our rooms to prepare for our first joint tour. The plan was rich and varied and included a visit to Charminar, Laad Bazar, and dinner at Chowmahalla Palace.
We were given instructions regarding the dress code, which included long formal dresses and flat shoes. Since we had a formal dinner at the palace that evening, I opted for a designer dress. Natalia Urbanova, bright red with gold details, inspired by court princesses. I felt elegant, feminine and confident in it.
Soon we were on the bus to the first location. As we approached, the music got louder, the drums beat and the people gathered. When we got off the bus, we were greeted by a magnificent sight. The impressive Charminar towered before us, surrounded by a wide red carpet, cameras, journalists and gathered citizens who wished us a warm welcome.
As we walked down the red carpet, we were accompanied by notes of Indian music, and shouts of support and compliments were heard from the crowd. Cameras recorded our every step, as we posed in front of the Charminar for a group photo. It was truly incredible to feel so much attention and welcome.
We had the opportunity to learn more about this impressive building. Charminar is a symbol of Hyderabad and is featured on the official coat of arms of Telangana. It is over 425 years old, and its upper floor still houses an active mosque. It is surrounded by numerous local markets, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in India.
We continued our walk along the red carpet to Laad Bazaar, where we were amazed by the variety and rich colors of Indian jewelry and clothing. We entered one of the shops where they presented us with traditional Indian jewelry and saree pieces. Each piece was carefully crafted, rich, luxurious and in gold, decorated with colorful stones and zircons.
I was particularly impressed by the Indian bangles. They reminded me of my childhood, when Indian TV series were extremely popular in Montenegro, and when, as a little girl, I admired the richness of Indian costumes and jewelry.
As we walked through the bazaar, people showered us with gifts, calling us out of their shops and giving us jewelry. Each of us received a collection of colorful bracelets, which I enthusiastically accepted and immediately incorporated into my styling.
Full of impressions, we headed towards the Chowmahalla Palace. Upon exiting the bus, we were again greeted by the red carpet, cheers of support, and numerous journalists who had covered our visit. We walked through the wide courtyard of the palace, fascinated by its monumentality and exceptional architecture.
In the middle of the vast green lawn, the words “72nd MISS WORLD” shone, another warm gesture of welcome. As we moved towards the palace, ladies in traditional Indian attire danced along the path, accompanying us with their delicate movements.
We arrived at the palace, a warm-colored building that spans a vast area. In front of it were tables and chairs set up for all the contestants, and two large screens were showing a presentation about the history of the palace and its rulers.
We sat down, left the bouquets of roses we received upon arrival, and enjoyed a video presentation about Chowmahalla and the Nizams who lived there. Construction of the palace began in 1751 during the reign of Nawab Salabath Jung, son of Asaf Jaha I. It was the seat of power of the Asaf Jaha dynasty, and today it has been converted into a museum, still owned by the same dynasty.
It is a true pleasure to learn about such a rich and fascinating culture, especially when you have the opportunity to experience it in person.
After the presentation, we headed to the welcome dinner. Each girl had her own table, and we were joined by representatives of the Telangana Government, the people responsible for this unforgettable organization and the hospitality we experience every day. Each of the authentic experiences we had was carefully organized by the Telangana Government and the Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Miss World organization. They truly made an effort to make us feel at home. Thanks to them, as well as the wonderful people of Telangana, we sincerely enjoy every moment spent in Hyderabad, with the wish that this journey never ends.
I sat at a table with the beautiful Miss Gibraltar and a few ladies from the education field. We talked about our experiences, impressions of Telangana, dreams and ambitions, laughed and shared positive energy.
We had the opportunity to try delicious Indian cuisine, but also to watch the handmade making of Indian bracelets. I received a red bracelet as a gift, and a kind lady also gave me a traditional henna tattoo.
I hung out with the girls and wonderful people who came to meet us and wish us luck in the rest of the competition. I truly enjoyed every moment of this evening.
When it was time to return to the hotel, it was hard to say goodbye to all the wonderful people we had met. On the bus, we recounted our impressions and shared experiences.
And when we arrived at the hotel and opened the door to our room, a little token of appreciation from the Trident Hotel staff was waiting for us on the bed. Each girl received a gift package with luxurious skincare products, just what we needed to stay fresh and nourished during our stay. Once again, I was touched by the attention, hospitality, and warmth of the people who welcomed us here.
Bonus video:
