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Sunday, December 28, 2008
IMG00057.jpg
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Friday, December 19, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
More pictures from India
If you click here you will be directed to John and Nancy's pictures from the India Trek. John had a great camera and eye. I'm glad he shared! He also has a nice picture of the spiky vegetable...
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Rishikesh back to Delhi 11/1/08
Our last leg of the journey was a long drive from Rishikesh back to Delhi. And this concludes my trip journal and the last of the pictures.
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| Rishikesh to Delhi |
Auli to Rishikesh 10/31/08
I felt a bit like Gilligan, in that our 8 drive was more than 12. We spent a little extra time in Joshimath looking for beer to take with us and found three of the boys from the crew. And the road was less than 'roadly'. Needless to say we did not get to see the Aarti ceremony.
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| Auli to Rishikesh |
Gailgargh to Auli 10/30/08
Gailgarh (11061') to Auli: I cannot tell you how high my heart rate went on this last day of walking. The view of Nanda Devi and the path along the edge both thrilled me, only in different ways.
Auli put us in ski resort. Sort of. Our much awaited hot showers had to wait for the water to be turned on. Our as much awaited beer was not really encouraged. We got both and it was worth it. It was also hard to believe that a trip that took forever to arrive, a walk that seemed to go on and on, was suddenly done. We now saw other people that weren't working or walking. We now had to ready for riding out from nowhere to somewhere.
Auli put us in ski resort. Sort of. Our much awaited hot showers had to wait for the water to be turned on. Our as much awaited beer was not really encouraged. We got both and it was worth it. It was also hard to believe that a trip that took forever to arrive, a walk that seemed to go on and on, was suddenly done. We now saw other people that weren't working or walking. We now had to ready for riding out from nowhere to somewhere.
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| Gailgargh to Auli |
Kuari Pass 10/29/08
Today the wind was frantic, but the sky was clear. It's time to cross the Kuari Pass. Kuari = unmarried woman. There are actually two humps to the pass, hump 1 was at 11995' and hump 2 was at 12606'. Not as high as in the brochure. Whew!!
We walked along a ridge in the sun and wind. When we stopped for lunch we were able to get out of the wind and lounged in the sun like lizards until we got the Joom Joom from the boys to get going.
The last tent night was spent at Gailgargh. I had thought I would dream of beer and showers, except Bsim said we'd be walking along a cliff that the ponies could not go along. What do you mean the ponies can't go there? Ahhhhh!!!!!!! Not fair...
We walked along a ridge in the sun and wind. When we stopped for lunch we were able to get out of the wind and lounged in the sun like lizards until we got the Joom Joom from the boys to get going.
The last tent night was spent at Gailgargh. I had thought I would dream of beer and showers, except Bsim said we'd be walking along a cliff that the ponies could not go along. What do you mean the ponies can't go there? Ahhhhh!!!!!!! Not fair...
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| Kuari Pass |
Diwali!
Today we go to Dakwani (10869') and tonight is Diwali! Dakwani is at 10869' and is the last camp before the pass.
Everyone that had bought fireworks laid them on the table at tea. The boys's eyes grew really wide at the sight of BOMBs. Yes, I think they really were bombs!
A great time was had by all when the boys sang what we think was a Diwali song followed by blowing things up. Then they set up an offering in the dinner tent complete with Laxmi.
Everyone that had bought fireworks laid them on the table at tea. The boys's eyes grew really wide at the sight of BOMBs. Yes, I think they really were bombs!
A great time was had by all when the boys sang what we think was a Diwali song followed by blowing things up. Then they set up an offering in the dinner tent complete with Laxmi.
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| Panarani to Dakwana |
Jhenjipani to Panarani
Panarani was at 9008'
The toughest part was the dust on the trail, but once we camped at Pana it was worth the work for the view. This is the evening I get to learn about Conkers. The guys found chestnuts on the trail and collected the biggest ones they could find.
At tea they put cords through them and the idea is to conk your opponent's nut until it cracks. Funnier than heck to watch.
Fiona and I had our tents two levels below the obstacle course. It was a little gruesome to run in the dark because of the rocks that were hiding waiting to catch you up. The next morning I was a little wobbly on my tent exit and two little girls stopped to watch. Apparently I was so entertaining they had to sit down for the show, and didn't go until we did.
The toughest part was the dust on the trail, but once we camped at Pana it was worth the work for the view. This is the evening I get to learn about Conkers. The guys found chestnuts on the trail and collected the biggest ones they could find.
At tea they put cords through them and the idea is to conk your opponent's nut until it cracks. Funnier than heck to watch.
Fiona and I had our tents two levels below the obstacle course. It was a little gruesome to run in the dark because of the rocks that were hiding waiting to catch you up. The next morning I was a little wobbly on my tent exit and two little girls stopped to watch. Apparently I was so entertaining they had to sit down for the show, and didn't go until we did.
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| Jhenjipani to Panarani |
Ghunni to Jhenjipani 10/26/08
Up and down to 7195' for the day. We saw Langur monkeys and waterfalls, were 'buzzed' by buzzards. Did they think we were going to make their day?
We were able to look across from the notch we walked through to see the Kuari Pass in the distance. It actually didn't look too bad from here.
The obstacle course for this stop involved hopping over a rock wall and monkeys watching from the trees.
We were able to look across from the notch we walked through to see the Kuari Pass in the distance. It actually didn't look too bad from here.
The obstacle course for this stop involved hopping over a rock wall and monkeys watching from the trees.
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| Ghunni to Jhenjipani |
Sateal to Ghunni 10/25/08
This was definitely up through the village across the river from where we had camped. Thankfully we had to break for people, animals, and the ponies. We walked through a number of villages on the way and saw amaranth fields growing and being harvested.
By this time more people of the cold.
We arrived at camp in good time, because the clouds closing in carried hailstones. Pretty large ones that I wouldn't have wanted to be pelted with them.
After the afternoon nap, I got up to wander around before dinner. Nigel and Jane were in the eating tent playing Pass the Pigs. Yeah! I had no idea they had gone international.
The obstacle course took us above the tents and over rocks. Not the worst, but a little danger involved...
Ghunni was 8018'.
By this time more people of the cold.
We arrived at camp in good time, because the clouds closing in carried hailstones. Pretty large ones that I wouldn't have wanted to be pelted with them.
After the afternoon nap, I got up to wander around before dinner. Nigel and Jane were in the eating tent playing Pass the Pigs. Yeah! I had no idea they had gone international.
The obstacle course took us above the tents and over rocks. Not the worst, but a little danger involved...
Ghunni was 8018'.
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| Sateal to Ghunni |
Kanol to Sateal (?) 10/24/08
Today we walked along the Nanda Kini river and saw many people living their lives. Which was amazing: women cut grass on hillsides that I cannot figure out how they are balancing on.
The camp was along the riverside, which meant vigourous washing of clothes and bodies. Then we went to town. Lynne bought a scarf from one of the vendors and cook found something called kerella. A green, spiky, vegetable with quite an interesting taste. We were to see it a lot after this, not to be joyful about.
The obstacle course was very easy on this stop!
At our evening pow wow, Bsim told us the next day was going to be all up. Yeah! Since we had descended to 5995' of course we had to go back up.
The camp was along the riverside, which meant vigourous washing of clothes and bodies. Then we went to town. Lynne bought a scarf from one of the vendors and cook found something called kerella. A green, spiky, vegetable with quite an interesting taste. We were to see it a lot after this, not to be joyful about.
The obstacle course was very easy on this stop!
At our evening pow wow, Bsim told us the next day was going to be all up. Yeah! Since we had descended to 5995' of course we had to go back up.
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| Kanol to Sateale |
Bedni Bugyal to Kanol 10/23/08
This day we went back up the ridge to a high point of 13,465. Thanks to Nancy for talking to me the whole time we crossed the exposed ridge. Grins to Bsim who kept saying they were 'little ups', of course to those that are from Nepal... We walked 9.90 miles per the GPS from high up to down and down until we reached Kanol at 9,009 feet.
We got to camp to find it not quite ready. Apparently some of the ponies decided to detour and it took the guys time to find them and make it to camp.
The obstacle course involved walking through the pony herd.
We got to camp to find it not quite ready. Apparently some of the ponies decided to detour and it took the guys time to find them and make it to camp.
The obstacle course involved walking through the pony herd.
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| Bedni Bugyal to Kanol |
Bedni Bugyal 10/22/08
This is the day we were supposed to go to Roop Kund, but the snow issue and the distance made it clear that this wasn't going to happen. So our goal was the ridgeline.
The 'obstacle course' for this stop wasn't so bad. However, for two days I felt like a bag lady trying to wear almost everything I had with me to stay somewhat warm. I also felt like my companions were kleenex and alcohol hand cleaner. My goblet cells were in overdrive.
We had bed tea and breakfast and took off for the ridgeline. Lunch was at a 'y' in the trail. Today was to the right, tomorrow would be to the left. An amazing view was enjoyed by all, I believe. After lunch we took off again. The cloud cover was closing in at the top of Trisul, so when Fiona gave us the option for return I took it. Along with Nancy and Jane. Ming Temba went with us and I'm pretty sure he was coughing too. So I wasn't the only virus carrier in the camp. Although the scientific minded of us thought we should chart the progress of the virus through the camp.
Once back to the tents the weather definitely deteriorated. I stood and watched the shepherds bring in two fairly large flocks and waited for the others.
The 'obstacle course' for this stop wasn't so bad. However, for two days I felt like a bag lady trying to wear almost everything I had with me to stay somewhat warm. I also felt like my companions were kleenex and alcohol hand cleaner. My goblet cells were in overdrive.
We had bed tea and breakfast and took off for the ridgeline. Lunch was at a 'y' in the trail. Today was to the right, tomorrow would be to the left. An amazing view was enjoyed by all, I believe. After lunch we took off again. The cloud cover was closing in at the top of Trisul, so when Fiona gave us the option for return I took it. Along with Nancy and Jane. Ming Temba went with us and I'm pretty sure he was coughing too. So I wasn't the only virus carrier in the camp. Although the scientific minded of us thought we should chart the progress of the virus through the camp.
Once back to the tents the weather definitely deteriorated. I stood and watched the shepherds bring in two fairly large flocks and waited for the others.
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| Bedni Bugyal |
Wan to Bedni Bugyal 10/21/08
This is when we first get to find out what Bsim means by 'the trail is up up'. Because it was up, up to 11,656 feet to Bedni Bugyal. We walked up through amazingly large rhododendron forests. Yes, rhododendron forests. Where we were the rhododendron grow to the size of big pine trees here. I can only imagine what it looks like in the spring. This is also a hard day for me because I woke up with a head cold, and a dodgy tummy. Bed tea came at 0645 and Fiona was directly behind checking on us.
Walking along we come across a flock of sheep and goats and sit for a snack. I was watching the guys take particular interest in members of the flock, when it occurred to me they were picking out dinner. Indeed we had mutton two nights in a row.
Walking along we come across a flock of sheep and goats and sit for a snack. I was watching the guys take particular interest in members of the flock, when it occurred to me they were picking out dinner. Indeed we had mutton two nights in a row.
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| Wan to Bedni Bugyal |
Kausani to Wan 10/20/08
We had to leave our comfortable and warm beds to drive to Wan. The views of the mountains in the morning were spectacular since the clouds had cleared during the night. Fiona kept exhorting us to drink as much water as possible to be ready for the altitude that was coming.
Our driver took off down the 'road'. We saw tea terraces and trees that were scarred for gum harvesting.
At Lohojang (sp?) we moved to jeeps. Our jeep picked up everyone on the way and we kept getting just a little more cozy.
At Wan we got out and geared up to go to the tents and lunch. We made it to where lunch was supposed to be, in the rain, but found no tents. So we had some dal while Fiona and Bsim tried to figure out what happened. In the meantime a very smiley fellow appeared to tell us he was our 'horse member'. Eighth grade joking aside we were happy to see him because he knew where the tents were. Up!
In the waning light we walked to the ridgeline where our tents were set up waiting patiently for us. This is the first night that I found out the latrines were going to be a moving obstacle course. This night they were on the down side of the ridge line. One wrong move and it would have been a straight shot to the river far below. I actually had an easier time getting to them in the dark with my headlamp than I did the next morning with daylight. Go figure!
Our driver took off down the 'road'. We saw tea terraces and trees that were scarred for gum harvesting.
At Lohojang (sp?) we moved to jeeps. Our jeep picked up everyone on the way and we kept getting just a little more cozy.
At Wan we got out and geared up to go to the tents and lunch. We made it to where lunch was supposed to be, in the rain, but found no tents. So we had some dal while Fiona and Bsim tried to figure out what happened. In the meantime a very smiley fellow appeared to tell us he was our 'horse member'. Eighth grade joking aside we were happy to see him because he knew where the tents were. Up!
In the waning light we walked to the ridgeline where our tents were set up waiting patiently for us. This is the first night that I found out the latrines were going to be a moving obstacle course. This night they were on the down side of the ridge line. One wrong move and it would have been a straight shot to the river far below. I actually had an easier time getting to them in the dark with my headlamp than I did the next morning with daylight. Go figure!
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| Kausani to Wan |
Kathogodam to Kausani 10/19/08
We exited the train at Kathgodam to get into three vehicles to travel to Kausani. Along the way we had our first views of the Himalaya in the distance with Trisul (7120 m) and Nanda Ghungti (6310 m)being the most evident.
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| Kathgodam to Kausani |
Delhi 10/18/08
I met Fiona (the trek leader) the day before. The group for the trek were:
Fiona
Darryl and Lynne
Hugh and Viv
John and Nancy (from France, but she's a native of Canada)
Nigel and Jane
Lance
Jerry
and me.
They all had a vast traveling experience and were a varied lot.
We went sightseeing in Delhi before heading to the train station. The train station and the night train to Kathgodam were interesting to say the least.
Fiona
Darryl and Lynne
Hugh and Viv
John and Nancy (from France, but she's a native of Canada)
Nigel and Jane
Lance
Jerry
and me.
They all had a vast traveling experience and were a varied lot.
We went sightseeing in Delhi before heading to the train station. The train station and the night train to Kathgodam were interesting to say the least.
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| Delhi |
Friday, November 7, 2008
Agra
The day in Agra started at 0800. Sanjay and Tarun picked me up to go to the Taj Mahal. I had wanted to go the evening earlier because of the full moon, however my impromptu eye infection and a rain storm precluded it. The good news is that 0800 is after the sunrise people and before the train from Delhi arrives, so I think I got some pretty good views of the Taj. We also went to the Agra Fort. Then drove back to Delhi.
Here are those pictures:
Here are those pictures:
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| Agra to Delhi |
The drive from Jaipur to Agra
I drove with Sanjay from Jaipur to Agra. On the way we stopped at Fatehpur Sikri and met Tarun. Tarun would be my guide to Fatehpur Sikri, the Taj Mahal, and the Agra Fort.
Here are the 77 pictures that go with this day.
Here are the 77 pictures that go with this day.
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| Drive from Jaipur to Agra, Fatehpur Sikri |
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Jaipur Day 1 pictures
The second day in India took me to Jaipur, if you click on the title above it will take you to the Wikipedia entry for Jaipur. It is the capital of Rajasthan, and was my favorite city of the ones I saw. While there were only 52 pictures for this day, it is more of an indication that I relaxed and watched people living their lives more than I hid behind the camera.
Hawa Mahal = is the palace of the winds. My guide says the big facade was how the harem moved around. Because they would have been in purdah, they needed to have airy walkways that still hid them from view. They would have been able to look down at the bazaar but not be seen.
Jantar Mantar = the observatory. My pictures did not do the justice to this place that I feel it deserves. The huge, hugely accurate, sundials were awesome. Everyone who has asked me what to see in Jaipur I have recommended that they spend time here.
Hawa Mahal = is the palace of the winds. My guide says the big facade was how the harem moved around. Because they would have been in purdah, they needed to have airy walkways that still hid them from view. They would have been able to look down at the bazaar but not be seen.
Jantar Mantar = the observatory. My pictures did not do the justice to this place that I feel it deserves. The huge, hugely accurate, sundials were awesome. Everyone who has asked me what to see in Jaipur I have recommended that they spend time here.
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| Jaipur Day 1 |
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Pictures from Udaipur
There 121 pictures from Udaipur. The link above is for Wikipedia that does a great job of explaining the places that I went and what makes them spectacular.
Also, my rug from Jaipur arrived today. It is just as beautiful here as it was there.
Also, my rug from Jaipur arrived today. It is just as beautiful here as it was there.
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| Udaipur |
About traveling to India
I left early in the morning of October 10 for India. Took a taxi to the airport, and as outlined earlier, spent the next 24 hours traveling around to the other side of the Earth.
Once I collected my trek bag from the carousel I headed out the front door of Indira Gandhi International airport. I was inundated by the noise and the heat almost immediately. Thankfully my trek bag made me stand out to the person sent to collect me, he whisked me away quite quickly. The first night out I stayed at the Florence Inn:
Since I was only going to be here for a couple of hours, the room was adequate. Everything was marbeled. I was to find out that this is de rigueur for the country fairly quickly. I repacked for my traveling so that all I carried was my backpack and left my trek bag in the care of the hotel until I returned to Delhi. This became cause for questions because the later hotels kept looking for more bags.
Once I collected my trek bag from the carousel I headed out the front door of Indira Gandhi International airport. I was inundated by the noise and the heat almost immediately. Thankfully my trek bag made me stand out to the person sent to collect me, he whisked me away quite quickly. The first night out I stayed at the Florence Inn:
Since I was only going to be here for a couple of hours, the room was adequate. Everything was marbeled. I was to find out that this is de rigueur for the country fairly quickly. I repacked for my traveling so that all I carried was my backpack and left my trek bag in the care of the hotel until I returned to Delhi. This became cause for questions because the later hotels kept looking for more bags.
Travelogue beginning
I have voted and started laundry. I think I have squared my bills and I don't feel like crap today. I can't get to my work e-mail as yet, so I figure today will be a good time to start uploading pictures and posting an actual travelogue to go with them. In all I have almost 1,000 pictures and some movies on two cameras. That's without editing and down right deletion of some that I know will happen.
I did take two cameras with me: a Canon Powershot S5IS and an Olympus Stylus 1030SW. The Canon came out when I had time to set things up. The Olympus was either in my pocket or the waist belt of my back pack. The Canon has a powerful zoom, the Olympus has a better panoramic view and is a hardier camera. One thing I wish I would have thought of earlier is to change the dates and times on the cameras and GPS to India time. When I thought of it, it was too late. What I intend to do is split all of the pictures into their time and space batches and then write what happened on that day or at that time. I hope it is somewhat enjoyable to view, because it sure was enjoyable to do!
I did take two cameras with me: a Canon Powershot S5IS and an Olympus Stylus 1030SW. The Canon came out when I had time to set things up. The Olympus was either in my pocket or the waist belt of my back pack. The Canon has a powerful zoom, the Olympus has a better panoramic view and is a hardier camera. One thing I wish I would have thought of earlier is to change the dates and times on the cameras and GPS to India time. When I thought of it, it was too late. What I intend to do is split all of the pictures into their time and space batches and then write what happened on that day or at that time. I hope it is somewhat enjoyable to view, because it sure was enjoyable to do!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Almost home
After 3 days of travel I am almost home. I can't begin to describe how much I want to take a shower and wear something that wasn't washed in a sink. Now if I could figure out how to continue getting bed tea...
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Saturday, November 1, 2008
Leaving India
I am now at the indira Gandhi International airport waiting for boarding in 90 minutes. Hard to believe that it is time to leave my new friends already and go home. Even though I've taken lots of pictures I don't think they will be nearly adequate to show what I've seen, heard, or learned. I'm glad I went ahead and came on this trip. See you all soon.
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Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Last day in India
We are traveling to Delhi. And its quite interesting being back with the noise and pollution. I fly out tonight to make the long journey back
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Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Thursday, October 30, 2008
IMG00044.jpg
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Friday, October 17, 2008
IMG00043.jpg
I think I will repack now and then find lunch. Ciao or in Hindi: namaste.
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Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Electricity
We take it for granted that the electricity will work when we want how we want. Power was interrupted yesterday and many times since checking into my new hotel. How do I know I am spoiled? I look up at the interruption whilst everyone else just keeps working like nothing. So be happy you have power when you want it.
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Agra 10/15/08
Yesterday was a day spent in whole in Jaipur. The morning started with me once again entertaining the restaurant boys because I was the first guest in the hotel to be up and about. 0600 is sleeping I tell them, and I waited until 0615 to come down for breakfast! Again, they pointed me to a local treat and showed me how to eat it. Note to self: if it's red it's hot, if it's green it's not.
At 0800 guide #2 and Sanjay picked me up to take me to the Amber (Amer) Fort. Yes, one location has two names. We get to the drop off point and it is just loaded with touts. Luckily I know how to put on my sunglasses and saunter like a Maharani that I am really supposed to be... So that I can wait in line in the hot sun to get on an elephant to go up a hill... guide #2 drops me at the end of the line and takes off to chit chat with his other guide buddies. I'm standing there looking around when I realize the chaps in front of me sound like me. Voila, I was temporarily adopted by a clan of four from Arizona! It made the line go so much faster listening to their exploits all over the world. The patriarch, Louis, retired two years ago and he and his wife Bonnie are living all their dreams. Well, Louis is anyway. Bonnie had both knees replaced recently and was dependent upon a wheelchair, but she was definitely being a good sport. The two boys, Reed and Ryan, were of an age that they could join their father on many of the voyages, from the Antarctic to India. And I believe they were moving to Africa after Bollywood...
Anyway, guide #2 loads me onto a baby elephant with a crazy mahout to go up the hillside. Baby elephant felt a need to blast all oncoming elephants (and me and the mahout) with water. A lot of water. I don't know where the hell she was getting the water. Anyway, the mahout was singing to the elephant so I made him teach me the words. So about halfway up the mahout and stupid ferengi (that's me) were singing. Apparently that was unheard of because people stopped trying to sell me things from the ground, or maybe it was my singing. Hmmmm....
Once in the fort we walked around and tried to stay either in the shade or on the ramparts. It was quite hot, I'd say it was 90 or more before 10. Very interesting history and amazing art. The fort seems to have been in some decline, but is now being restored. My guide let me wander and nothing appeared to be off limits. I was able to chat with some of the restorers working on wall painting before security got a hold of me and sent me in a different direction. Which included stairs. Speaking of stairs, they have beautiful buildings and crappy stairs. I'm sure the stairways led to many broken bones. The risers were too much even for me on some of them, followed by one that looks like a stair but isn't.
After the fort we went to a museum that housed many of the artifacts that had been removed from the palaces and forts. They aren't quite in display format as yet, but you can tell they are working on it.
Then I spent a leisurely evening at the hotel. The Trident Hotel in Jaipur is the bomb! Because the one in Agra is not so much... but I get ahead.
I went shopping for some pashtoosh and found many. The shopkeeper and I looked like we had opened every box and had displayed every scarf he had available. While not really, it was quite close. After my shopping foray came getting courier service to send them all home since I need to travel light. Three hours later and finally I think everything is on its way.
Dinner had dancing girls around the pool. Someone asked for Jeannie (he shall remain nameless) but he'll have to settle for pictures of dancing girls instead. And a boy that breathed fire.
Today Sanjay and I drove from Jaipur to Agra. En route we picked up guide #3 Tyrone. We collected him at Fatehpur Sikri. This is a palace/fort that was abandoned by the mughal ruler for either a water problem or because the sufi priest kicked him out. It is all carved out of sandstone and all though a little downtrodden is an obvious work of art. The archaeology institute of India is trying to restore it, but how will they get what was looted by the British back?
The three of us then traveled to Agra. I'm sure the Taj Mahal will be worth it, but so far I'm not dazzled. It is raining and the full moon I was looking forward to looks to be a hidden gem and not worth leaving the hotel.
So until later... I'm going to sit by the pool and read.
At 0800 guide #2 and Sanjay picked me up to take me to the Amber (Amer) Fort. Yes, one location has two names. We get to the drop off point and it is just loaded with touts. Luckily I know how to put on my sunglasses and saunter like a Maharani that I am really supposed to be... So that I can wait in line in the hot sun to get on an elephant to go up a hill... guide #2 drops me at the end of the line and takes off to chit chat with his other guide buddies. I'm standing there looking around when I realize the chaps in front of me sound like me. Voila, I was temporarily adopted by a clan of four from Arizona! It made the line go so much faster listening to their exploits all over the world. The patriarch, Louis, retired two years ago and he and his wife Bonnie are living all their dreams. Well, Louis is anyway. Bonnie had both knees replaced recently and was dependent upon a wheelchair, but she was definitely being a good sport. The two boys, Reed and Ryan, were of an age that they could join their father on many of the voyages, from the Antarctic to India. And I believe they were moving to Africa after Bollywood...
Anyway, guide #2 loads me onto a baby elephant with a crazy mahout to go up the hillside. Baby elephant felt a need to blast all oncoming elephants (and me and the mahout) with water. A lot of water. I don't know where the hell she was getting the water. Anyway, the mahout was singing to the elephant so I made him teach me the words. So about halfway up the mahout and stupid ferengi (that's me) were singing. Apparently that was unheard of because people stopped trying to sell me things from the ground, or maybe it was my singing. Hmmmm....
Once in the fort we walked around and tried to stay either in the shade or on the ramparts. It was quite hot, I'd say it was 90 or more before 10. Very interesting history and amazing art. The fort seems to have been in some decline, but is now being restored. My guide let me wander and nothing appeared to be off limits. I was able to chat with some of the restorers working on wall painting before security got a hold of me and sent me in a different direction. Which included stairs. Speaking of stairs, they have beautiful buildings and crappy stairs. I'm sure the stairways led to many broken bones. The risers were too much even for me on some of them, followed by one that looks like a stair but isn't.
After the fort we went to a museum that housed many of the artifacts that had been removed from the palaces and forts. They aren't quite in display format as yet, but you can tell they are working on it.
Then I spent a leisurely evening at the hotel. The Trident Hotel in Jaipur is the bomb! Because the one in Agra is not so much... but I get ahead.
I went shopping for some pashtoosh and found many. The shopkeeper and I looked like we had opened every box and had displayed every scarf he had available. While not really, it was quite close. After my shopping foray came getting courier service to send them all home since I need to travel light. Three hours later and finally I think everything is on its way.
Dinner had dancing girls around the pool. Someone asked for Jeannie (he shall remain nameless) but he'll have to settle for pictures of dancing girls instead. And a boy that breathed fire.
Today Sanjay and I drove from Jaipur to Agra. En route we picked up guide #3 Tyrone. We collected him at Fatehpur Sikri. This is a palace/fort that was abandoned by the mughal ruler for either a water problem or because the sufi priest kicked him out. It is all carved out of sandstone and all though a little downtrodden is an obvious work of art. The archaeology institute of India is trying to restore it, but how will they get what was looted by the British back?
The three of us then traveled to Agra. I'm sure the Taj Mahal will be worth it, but so far I'm not dazzled. It is raining and the full moon I was looking forward to looks to be a hidden gem and not worth leaving the hotel.
So until later... I'm going to sit by the pool and read.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Greetings from Jaipur, India 10/13/08
Today I flew from Udaipur to Jaipur. After about 10 hours of sleeping like the dead last night I finally felt like a new woman ready to take on the world. Which was a darn good thing. Raj and driver picked me up from the hotel at 6, when it was still dark and whisked me away to the airport. This time I knew what to expect and was able to navigate things much better. It also helped that the airport folks in Udaipur were much more friendly than the ones in Delhi.
At Jaipur I was collected at the airport by ? and Sanjay. Now the fellows in Udaipur were younger than me and all business. I could tell right off this was going to be better because Vikram and Sanjay (the driver is Sanjay, whom I spent the time looking at the back of his head) were a laugh a minute to the hotel. As I was checking in guide #2 appeared, he was early by 2 hours and we all had a great laugh at everyone's expense!
So my guide and Sanjay collected me from the hotel and took me back through the busy streets of Jaipur to the City Palace and Hawa Mahal (palace of wind, and not the wind Ray thinks of...). BUT next door is a huge astrology/astronomy place. It is noon and my guide, patient nice man that he is, walked through this huge place with amazingly accurate sun dials for over an hour. On his plus side we kept moving from one spot of shade to another. On the bad, he looked fresh as a daisy, I looked like a daisy that had been trampled by a herd of camels. Bastard!
The City Palace was all it was cracked up to be... but then we went to the bazaar. Again, my guide is a saint. Helping me to cross traffic that is coming from the wrong way qualifies him for beatification... We went to a temple to Shiva that was closed, but the Sadu's let us go up on the roof. We spent close to 30 minutes on the roof top watching traffic move through the center of town. It was like watching a river of people and animals perfectly choreographed. I took many pictures but unless you were to see and hear it you wouldn't get the full feeling of it.
Then--- shopping!!!! I got to see bangles, jewelry, stamped cloths and other crafts being made by hand. I have saffron, a camel hair rug, two pashmir shawls, and not so much money left in my accounts. So if anyone from Deaconess is keeping up with me --- I will still need to work when I get back.
Now I hear there is happy hour and so I'm going to see if I can get a mighty fine Gin and Tonic to cap what was a very lovely day in Jaipur India. K:)
At Jaipur I was collected at the airport by ? and Sanjay. Now the fellows in Udaipur were younger than me and all business. I could tell right off this was going to be better because Vikram and Sanjay (the driver is Sanjay, whom I spent the time looking at the back of his head) were a laugh a minute to the hotel. As I was checking in guide #2 appeared, he was early by 2 hours and we all had a great laugh at everyone's expense!
So my guide and Sanjay collected me from the hotel and took me back through the busy streets of Jaipur to the City Palace and Hawa Mahal (palace of wind, and not the wind Ray thinks of...). BUT next door is a huge astrology/astronomy place. It is noon and my guide, patient nice man that he is, walked through this huge place with amazingly accurate sun dials for over an hour. On his plus side we kept moving from one spot of shade to another. On the bad, he looked fresh as a daisy, I looked like a daisy that had been trampled by a herd of camels. Bastard!
The City Palace was all it was cracked up to be... but then we went to the bazaar. Again, my guide is a saint. Helping me to cross traffic that is coming from the wrong way qualifies him for beatification... We went to a temple to Shiva that was closed, but the Sadu's let us go up on the roof. We spent close to 30 minutes on the roof top watching traffic move through the center of town. It was like watching a river of people and animals perfectly choreographed. I took many pictures but unless you were to see and hear it you wouldn't get the full feeling of it.
Then--- shopping!!!! I got to see bangles, jewelry, stamped cloths and other crafts being made by hand. I have saffron, a camel hair rug, two pashmir shawls, and not so much money left in my accounts. So if anyone from Deaconess is keeping up with me --- I will still need to work when I get back.
Now I hear there is happy hour and so I'm going to see if I can get a mighty fine Gin and Tonic to cap what was a very lovely day in Jaipur India. K:)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
udaipur
I have arrive safely. I think security finally let me board the plane because I was obviously too stupid to be much of a risk. How was I supposed to know I go to the curtain in the corner rather than through the arch thing? FYI women do the security check in a booth. I'm sure I will look smarter tomorrow!
Scooters: mine is really for two or more! And kwyji's dirt bike fits three comfortably. Who knew?
Also, they drive on the left here. Unless they don't. I kept checking the seat belt just in case.
And yes, cows have been sited.
Well I need to get going. There are palaces waiting for me.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Delhi
Apparently I can email with the berry from Delhi. I arrived safely and am waiting for the plane to udaipur. Dogs rule the night and lines on the road are guides not rules! Namaste
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Delhi
Apparently I can email with the berry from Delhi. I arrived safely and am waiting for the plane to udaipur. Dogs rule the night and lines on the road are guides not rules! Namaste
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Delhi
Apparently I can email with the berry from Delhi. I arrived safely and am waiting for the plane to udaipur. Dogs rule the night and lines on the road are guides not rules! Namaste
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Friday, October 10, 2008
New jersey
I have made it to Newark. I get to be here about 4 hours before going to Delhi. I keep seeing kiosks for international phone cards. I might pick up one. But first I'm going to have one last peppermint white mocha at starbucks. It'll be grande to last for the next 24 days!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Seattle
Well my gear at least made it to Seattle. I saw the big bag come off the conveyor but wasn't quick enough to take its picture.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Mt Rainier 9/19/2008
This will be my last post before starting the tour of India tomorrow morning. A couple of weekends ago I took all my gear to Mt Rainier for a long weekend with a little altitude. As you can tell from the pictures there was a little visibility issue on Saturday. I stayed in the Paradise Inn, something I could recommend to anyone. It's a little expensive but worth the experience. The first pictures where I could see the mountain were taken Friday evening when I arrived. The Saturday pictures were taken from the Lakes trail below the Paradise Inn.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Hall Mountain 7/20/2008
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| Hall Mountain 7202008 |
Here's a couple of pictures from Hall Mountain. John, Elaine, and I camped at a Sullivan Lake campground and then did this little walk in the woods on a fine Sunday morning. Other than leaving my trekking poles behind it was an enjoyable trip.
Mt Hood, 7/1/2008
Mt hood from the parking lot at timberline lodge on July 1.
I have additions to this. I went to Timberline Lodge and then hiked as far up Hidden Lake Trail as I could until the snow got too deep. The rhododendron were beautiful and here are the pictures that were taken with my camera rather than my blackberry:
St Joe River 6/28/2008
I know, I'm running a little late. Here's the pictures from when we tried to go to Cedar Lake. Again. Yet another time Kwyjibo and I got skunked.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
New addition
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, July 28, 2008
Scotchmans peak
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Itinerary for the Trip to India
Some folks have asked about my itinerary, so here it is:
Itinerary
Extension: Lakes & Palaces
11 Oct 08 Arrive Delhi - overnight at the Florence Inn (on B&B basis)
12 Oct 08 Early transfer for flight to Udaipur. Sightseeing tour of Udaipur. Overnight hotel.
13 Oct 08 Early transfer for flight to Jaipur. Overnigt hotel. Sightseeing Jaipur.
14 Oct 08 Morning visit to Amber Fort. Rest of the day is free to explore the 'Pink City'.
15 Oct 08 Drive to Agra. Stop en-route to visit Fatephur Sikri. Evening visit to Taj Mahal. Overnight hotel.
16 Oct 08 Full days sightseeing of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Late afternoon drive to Delhi. Overnight hotel.
17 Oct 08 Day at leisure.
KUA/02/08: Curzons Trail and the Kuari Pass Trek Begins
Group arrive in the afternoon.
18 Oct 08 In the morning we have a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. In the early evening we transfer to the
railway station to catch the overnight sleeper train to Kathgodam.
19 Oct 08 Arriving in Kathgodam, we drive through impressive scenery to our stop at Ranikhet, a former hill
station. Overnight in a lhotel.
20 Oct 08 A long day of driving to Lohajang (2400m / 7875ft) but with fantastic mountain vistas, including Nanda
Devi. We meet our crew who will have already established camp.
21 Oct 08 Trek up to the Lohajang Pass (2590m. / 8498ft.) and descend into the Bedni Ganga Valley. We make
camp in the village of Didina.
22 Oct 08 Trek up through forest and open grazing land to the famously scenic camp at Bedni Bugyal (3500m /
11,484ft).
23 Oct 08 Leaving the camp in place, we make the tough return day-hike to the spectacularly located lake of
Roopkund (5000m / 16,400ft). Return to Bedni Bugyal.
24 Oct 08 An easier day, descending to the village of Wan and on to our camp on pasture at Kanol.
25 Oct 08 Trekking through forest of oak and rhododendron, we reach our camp beside the Nandakini River, close
to the village of Sutol (2290m / 7513ft).
26 Oct 08 A longer day, through farmland and villages with views of distant snow-capped peaks. Overnight at
Ghunni (2470m / 8105ft).
27 Oct 08 We climb up through forest and meadows to cross a low pass, then descend to camp at the small village
of Jhenjipani (2300m / 7546ft).
28 Oct 08 Another pleasant valley walk, crossing small rivers and passing many waterfalls. We arrive at our camp
in Panna in time for a late lunch.
29 Oct 08 A long day across the Kuari Pass (4268m / 14,000ft). After a steep start, the ascent becomes more
gradual through forest. Superb views of Nanda Devi. Camp on the meadows at Ghelgarh.
30 Oct 08 A final scenic day of trekking leads generally downhill, tharough forest to our overnight lodge at the ski
resort of Auli.
31 Oct 08 A long and spectacular drive to Rishikesh, where we check into a hotel. In the evening, we can watch the
aarti lamp ceremony by the Ganges.
01 Nov 08 Drive to Delhi, arriving in the mid afternoon. We have the use of day rooms at the group hotel. KE
group package services end after dinner. Airport transfers are provided on this day.
Itinerary
Extension: Lakes & Palaces
11 Oct 08 Arrive Delhi - overnight at the Florence Inn (on B&B basis)
12 Oct 08 Early transfer for flight to Udaipur. Sightseeing tour of Udaipur. Overnight hotel.
13 Oct 08 Early transfer for flight to Jaipur. Overnigt hotel. Sightseeing Jaipur.
14 Oct 08 Morning visit to Amber Fort. Rest of the day is free to explore the 'Pink City'.
15 Oct 08 Drive to Agra. Stop en-route to visit Fatephur Sikri. Evening visit to Taj Mahal. Overnight hotel.
16 Oct 08 Full days sightseeing of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Late afternoon drive to Delhi. Overnight hotel.
17 Oct 08 Day at leisure.
KUA/02/08: Curzons Trail and the Kuari Pass Trek Begins
Group arrive in the afternoon.
18 Oct 08 In the morning we have a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. In the early evening we transfer to the
railway station to catch the overnight sleeper train to Kathgodam.
19 Oct 08 Arriving in Kathgodam, we drive through impressive scenery to our stop at Ranikhet, a former hill
station. Overnight in a lhotel.
20 Oct 08 A long day of driving to Lohajang (2400m / 7875ft) but with fantastic mountain vistas, including Nanda
Devi. We meet our crew who will have already established camp.
21 Oct 08 Trek up to the Lohajang Pass (2590m. / 8498ft.) and descend into the Bedni Ganga Valley. We make
camp in the village of Didina.
22 Oct 08 Trek up through forest and open grazing land to the famously scenic camp at Bedni Bugyal (3500m /
11,484ft).
23 Oct 08 Leaving the camp in place, we make the tough return day-hike to the spectacularly located lake of
Roopkund (5000m / 16,400ft). Return to Bedni Bugyal.
24 Oct 08 An easier day, descending to the village of Wan and on to our camp on pasture at Kanol.
25 Oct 08 Trekking through forest of oak and rhododendron, we reach our camp beside the Nandakini River, close
to the village of Sutol (2290m / 7513ft).
26 Oct 08 A longer day, through farmland and villages with views of distant snow-capped peaks. Overnight at
Ghunni (2470m / 8105ft).
27 Oct 08 We climb up through forest and meadows to cross a low pass, then descend to camp at the small village
of Jhenjipani (2300m / 7546ft).
28 Oct 08 Another pleasant valley walk, crossing small rivers and passing many waterfalls. We arrive at our camp
in Panna in time for a late lunch.
29 Oct 08 A long day across the Kuari Pass (4268m / 14,000ft). After a steep start, the ascent becomes more
gradual through forest. Superb views of Nanda Devi. Camp on the meadows at Ghelgarh.
30 Oct 08 A final scenic day of trekking leads generally downhill, tharough forest to our overnight lodge at the ski
resort of Auli.
31 Oct 08 A long and spectacular drive to Rishikesh, where we check into a hotel. In the evening, we can watch the
aarti lamp ceremony by the Ganges.
01 Nov 08 Drive to Delhi, arriving in the mid afternoon. We have the use of day rooms at the group hotel. KE
group package services end after dinner. Airport transfers are provided on this day.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Stonehead Mountain, June 7, 2008
Before I pick up the pack to go out to the wilds of middle north Idaho, I thought I'd put up about my trip to Stone Mountain. An interesting park just outside of Atlanta. Now, I was on a work trip so I didn't rent a car. If you go to Atlanta there isn't much you can't do without the use of public transportation and bipedalism. We stayed in Buckhead so I caught the MARTA train to downtown, changed to a different train then changed to a bus to the village of Stone Mountain. It is best if you are visiting to just pony up the $13 bucks for a seven day visitor pass so you never have to think about transfers and such. Otherwise I would have had to pay for two passes for this trip: one for the train and one for the bus because the transfer was not viable. If anyone decides to do this on the low, wait until the bus gets to the 'shed stop' in the village rather than one of the street side stops. It saves you a couple of blocks to wander. I didn't know that so I left the bus at the first stop that was in Stone Mountain Village. The advantage was I got to explore the village a little bit. There really aren't any signs I could see to tell you which way to go, but I picked what looked like a main street with a sidewalk going towards the big rock in front of me. It worked. If you want to walk to the top of the rock, turn right when you walk through the park gate (free if walking, pay if driving). If you want to use the tram turn left and go to the parking lots. I chose the correct turn and went right. Although I do have to wonder about the wiseness of walking to the top of a stone of granite at 1100 in 98 degree weather when coming from the land of forever winter (it had snowed before I left home and it snowed when I came home). In all, I felt it was a worthy day trip. I did take the tram down so that I could experience that and then I wandered through the museum and the park grounds most of the day. I happened to be there during SoulFest, so some interesting outside music was playing. When I got tired of the whole thing I just retraced my steps back to the bus stop in the Village and went back to Buckhead.
There are 15 pictures from the top and side of the big rock.
I did find the carving awesome. Now I need to have Mt Rushmore on my list of trips to make so that I can see what the original carver might have done if he had stayed and finished. However the original vision might have been, the finished product is a sight to see!
I also went to the little theatre in the park that was 4 dimensional. I had not been to something like that before. Very interesting, one of the items was a big snake that hissed. It caused air to blow in my face, I nearly put in a skylight to their little theatre...
Anyway, I need to get on the move and cause more pictures. And get ready for my big trip. (I leave 14 weeks, 6 days from now: not that I'm counting or anything)
 |
| Stone Mountain |
There are 15 pictures from the top and side of the big rock.
I did find the carving awesome. Now I need to have Mt Rushmore on my list of trips to make so that I can see what the original carver might have done if he had stayed and finished. However the original vision might have been, the finished product is a sight to see!
I also went to the little theatre in the park that was 4 dimensional. I had not been to something like that before. Very interesting, one of the items was a big snake that hissed. It caused air to blow in my face, I nearly put in a skylight to their little theatre...
Anyway, I need to get on the move and cause more pictures. And get ready for my big trip. (I leave 14 weeks, 6 days from now: not that I'm counting or anything)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Georgia Aquarium
I went to the Georgia Aquarium on June 3. I paid extra for the backstage tour and really felt it was worth both the time and the money. This is a beautiful aquarium.
Hello!
This is Kim. And this is my blog. It's for my friends, and their friends, to keep track of where I might wander off to. Some of you already know I plan to wander to India, so I suspect for some time everything will somehow circle around that. But maybe other things, too.
So hello, and welcome.
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