Mandu, Ajanta & Ellora

Of course today involves driving and yep you guessed it more driving. Finally we stop driving and set up camp just outside the city of Mandu. We make a quick start in the morning to get a jump on all the other tourists that are aiming for fortress, excellent we are the first to arrive we have the place to ourselves.

Next day hidden in a rocky escarpment, are the caves at Ajanta. Due to the isolation of the caves it has helped contribute to the good state of preservation. There are 29 caves in total all nestling in the curve of a stunning deep gorge. The caves are beautifully decorated with paintings and sculptures tell the story of Buddha.

After spending our 2nd night bush camping it was down to Ellora we go. Ellora has 34 caves temples which are mainly Hindu and Jain. Cave 16 Kailasa Temple is AWESOME, it covers twice the area of the Parthenon in Athens and is 1 and a half times as high. It was carved out of solid rock from the top down, and is estimated that it entailed removing 200,000 tomes of rock.

From here Katherine and I decide to catch a flight to Mumbai to ensure we have the chance to see it all before Katherine goes home.

Diwale in Udaipur

Our drive continues to Udaipur, but it’s not without our fare share of trouble. Yep! You guess it we are having more troubles this time it’s not as simple as buying a new battery. We make a booking to get on a local bus leave our driver (Phil) behind to run repairs. We jump on the local bus to head to Udaipur only to find that there were not enough seats and we had to share the sleepers. All squeeze and hope it’s a quick ride.

After a few hours we see our truck driving past flag it down and move from local transport back to the comfort of the truck. UDAIPUR HERE WE COME!!

Unfortunately we arrived to our hotel late evening so its dinner and right to bed. Tomorrow is Diwale, which means we have all day and night to explore the now and celebrate with the locals well into the night.

I need to make sure I have covered all the major sights before I start celebrating Diwale with the locals, so first thing is first I am off to the City Palace, which towers over the rest of the buildings in the city, not surprising really as this is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. The City Palace sits on the shore of Lake Pichola, which has several royal palaces, the most spectacular of which is probably the floating Lake Palace, made famous in the Bond film “Octopussy”.

As I continue to explore the city I find myself walking through all the back streets umm... this was not part of my plan as I walk slowly trying to work out how to get myself back to the main street I start to notice all the families getting ready for the nights celebrations ahead. So no trimming of trees etc... like we would for Christmas, instead they paint/decorate the entrance to their homes. It’s time to meet the group and walk across the lake to sit at the waters front to have dinner and watch the fireworks. Katherine bought sparklers earlier that day so we could join in with the celebrations, Awe! It feels like I am 5 again. The city continues to celebrate as we make our way back to our hotel ready for another early start.

Pushkar

Up in the morning and ate a breakfast fit for kings (and queens).
We arrive in the afternoon to one of oldest cities in India. Pushkar is famous for its huge camel fair unfortunately we were 1 week to early for this event. Not to worry I will spend my time walking the ghats and looking around what appears to be a real hippie town.

Don’t worry I am not relaxing to much as I am getting up early to climb up a hill to get the city and lake view. 600 steps later and yep worth it I reckon.

I see sky’s are blue (and so is Jodhpur)

On our way to Jodhpur we stop at Sambhali Trust. It’s here we meet some local school children and learn all about their schooling, we also had a great deal of fun learning how to wrap turbans, saris and get our hands painted with henna (looks good right). We say goodbye to the kids and continue driving towards Jodhpur. We arrive at our guest house in time to sit and have a cooking lesson. Umm.... not sure if I can repeat these steps when I get home.

Jodhpur is affectionately known as “the blue city” because of the many indigo coloured housed in the old town. Up I go to Meherangarth Fortress to check this view out. Meherangarth is the largest fort in the whole of Rajasthan and has never been taken by force. From here I make my way to Sardar Market, it’s here I am hit by the overwhelming smells of spices and flowers. I stop and have a saffron Lassi to relax and cool down.

Its mid afternoon and we start to make our way to our home stays. Its here we spend the night with a local middle class family. The family we are staying with has a family history that goes back to Indian Royalty. Don’t worry mum I am on my best behaviour.

Jaisalmer and Camel Safari

We leave Delhi and head towards Bikaner, but as luck would have it the truck starts to have troubles and we need to pick up a new battery in Hisar. Back on the road but wouldn’t you know it issue still not fixed and we need to stop for a spontaneous bush camp, great introduction to the new people on the truck. I am sure they are wondering what they have got themselves into.

We are off to an early (push) start in the morning and need to make up for some lost time. So this means Bikaner and the Rat Temple are off the itinerary. We make it to Jaisalmer by late afternoon giving plenty of time to get the truck repaired and ready for the rest of the tour. While the truck is getting repaired I am off to the town centre to check out what this old Rajasthan capital has to offer.

With another fort, palace and bazaar viewed, I am sensing a theme repeating itself.

Another day and yes a new adventure. Today I am off to trek in the Thar Desert by camel. We have a 2 hour camel ride to our nominated camping spot. It is here we will be shown some local dancing and music, all while we sit and eat a traditional meal. Tonight we sleep on the sand dunes, I can only hope it does not get to cold during the night.

I survived the night, no desert dogs attacked us, with a hearty meal for breakfast we were back on the camels and heading back for home. Now back at the hotel I empty my boots from sand and have a quick shower before going back to the bazaar to nab myself another bargain.

Next stop on the itinerary is Jodhpur.

Delhi Belly

On our way out of Jaipur we make a stop at the Amber Fort, watch the elephants walk tourist to the top of the hill, (as for me I walked). Back in the truck and several hours, naps and toilet stops later we made it to Delhi in the late afternoon evening. No time to go out and explore tonight so tomorrow I’ll hit the ground running.

So what is one to do when in the capital of India. First it’s on the metro to the city centre, then down to Lok Sabha (parliament building), President’s Palace and India Gate its now lunch time I am hot and ready to pass out under a tree with a cold coke. We (Katherine and I) and a great idea, India and England are playing cricket off to the field we go. Purchase tickets from a scalper (ummm... not that was interesting) find our gate only to find out that we are not allowed in with bags cameras and a few other items. With plenty of time to spare we go back to our hotel and drop off our bags etc.... From here we try to get a rickshaw back to the grounds only to find that they were charging 300% more than normal. Bah!!! Not doing that so back on the metro to and a 10 minute walk and we are in. The atmosphere was amazing a great game played by India. Sorry better luck next time England. Time to leave and head back before the locals. Who knows what could happen when the game finishes, 2 girls travelling alone umm... not a good idea.

After a big day walking in the hot sun and watching the cricket I can see this is going to be a good night’s sleep.

Awesome Adventure #10 - Nepal & India - Part 2

I bid farewell to old group members and welcome the new, tomorrow the next adventure begins.

Delhi to Mumbai........

Jaipur the Pink City

We leave Agra with Jaipur in sights as our final destination for the day. Before we get there we make a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s ancient capital. Akbar’s Mogul Empire was built in 1574 because a holy man living there foretold the birth of Akbar’s only son, the city was abandoned only 14 years later, through to be because of water shortages. Here Akbar housed over 2,000 concubines as well as his many wives.

We continue on the road towards Jaipur no more than 15 minutes from our hotel and a small accident between our truck and a local hatch back. This was quickly resolved (4 hours later) and then it was off to the hotel for dinner and sleep ready for a day in the “pink city” of Jaipur.

Fun Fact: Jaipur is known as the “pink city” as all the buildings within the walls of the old town are painted a dusky rose pink. The legend goes that the Maharaja ordered that all the buildings should be painted pink to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth to the city in 1876, and the buildings have remained the same colour ever since.

  

We spend the day checking out the sites everything from the City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatroy and more ..... of course no day is complete without a Lassi and a spot of shopping. Now no shopping day is complete without bargain. My bargaining skills are still needing some work but hey I am getting there.

 

Tomorrow we make the long drive to Delhi.

Taj Mahal (Morning, Afternoon & Night)

After breakfast we leave our campsite and head towards Agra. Most of this day will be spent travelling we arrive early evening. Lucky we have 2 nights in Agra and will have all day tomorrow to check out the sights.

Early to bed, early to rise today we set off to be one of the first through the gate at the Taj Mahal for sunrise. With this icon described as one of the wonders of the world and giving off the sense of familiarity I cross through the gates and come face to face with this magnificent building. I can now see why people rave about this. As you walk around you hear the stories of love, betrayal, and hard work. All these stories are what make this place what it is today. Awe!!!! AWESOME!!!

We started to feel a little week at the knees and set off to the guides’ house for a local family breakfast. Now curry would not be my first choice for breakfast but my mother always said eat what is put in front of you (even if it’s only a little). From here we jump back into our rickshaws and make our way to a marble factory, it’s here they show us how they made\created the Taj inlay work. Wow!!! Such fine workmanship and to think this craft is still practiced today (Yep! 400 years later).

Still so much to see and I feel like half the day has gone, nope not quite it is only 11:30am. All back in our rickshaws and this time we visit the Red Fort admire the view of Agra city/Taj Mahal from the fort. Time for some lunch and then into the markets we go in the hope to bag a bargain.

Just before sunset we visit the Itmad-ud-daulah tomb also known as the Mini Taj. From here we make our way down to the banks opposite the Taj Mahal to watch the setset. Sunset was beautiful but from where I was standing the sun was not directly behind the Taj, making this sunset, eh!!! just another sunset.

It’s now dinner time and some of us head to Jonney’s for dinner and try the infamous Lassi’s and Malai Masala that they have on offer, yum, delicious on all accounts.

Now you would think I would be ready for bed by now especially since I woke up at 4am. Well your right I am tired but can’t let that stop me I have a rare viewing of the Taj Mahal under the Full Moon to view. Now it does look great at sunrise & sunset but under the full moon is also something special, and to think not many people get to view this. Count me in.

I feel I have done all that one can do in 24 hours in Agra so on this note I am off to bed.

A little erotica never hurt anyone

So there are several temples and gods that are worshipped within the Indian Hindi religion today we make so exception and visit another temple, this time with a little twist. We are in Khajurahoit is here that the temples have two elements that appear repeatedly – women and sex. Theses carved figures run through a whole Kamasutra of positions and possibilities are certainly eye-catching. Cough!!! Cough!! Of course the erotic content did not distract from the great skill underlying the sculptures. Pst!!! Who am I kidding the erotic carvings is defiantly why everyone comes to this temple.

After the tour we all sit back for a drink and a smoke :) hee hee. Only 2 more days and I will be looking at the Taj Mahal, but first we make a stop at a town called Orcha.

Time to wash away the sins

I have officially left Nepal and have now entered India. Before our first Indian tourist stop at Varanasi we stop a unscheduled stop at Gorakpur for the night. This appears to be a popular town due to the train station and it being close to Nepal but other than that not sure what else this town has to offer. We spent the night in a 1 star hotel (think I am being generous with the rating here) a squat toilet, bucket shower and what might have been bed bugs.

Yep you guessed it, it was an early start in the morning as we make our way to Varanasi this drive takes almost the entire day. Upon arrival all is forgotten about the length of drive as the hotel has a swimming pool.

4am Yawn!!! So they say the best time to visit the Ganges is at dawn. Why is dawn so early in the morning? We divide into groups of the and jump into rickshaws and drive to the edge of the city, we walk through all the narrow ally’s and find ourselves arriving at the Ghats it’s here we get on to a local boat with our guide and drift down this holy River Ganges. We saw the morning ritual, where lots sometimes thousands of worshippers who come to purify themselves. We also were able to watch from a distance one of the Burning Ghats, where bodies of the faithful are cremated and their ashes strewn out over the waters. After experiencing the Ganges up close it was time to explore Varanasi by foot and rickshaw.

A few of us found a great spot to spot put up our feet and relax with a drink. This is no ordinary drink, we stopped at Blue Lassi, a.k.a The best Lassi in Varanasi – We tried Banana and Apple. Oh!!! So Delicious. I feel this is going to be my drink of choice while in India.

Elephants, Rhinos & Tigers, Oh! My!

We arrive at the lodge in Chitwan National Park in time for lunch (perfect). Not long after lunch we all piled into the back of a truck and drove off to do some tiger spotting. Well we did not see any tigers but we did see several birds, deer and birds (yep! We saw so many birds I thought I would mention it twice).

Heads hanging in disappointment cause we did not spot a tiger, we make our way back to lodge for dinner and a early night ready for a early start.

6am wake up and breakfast before making our way through town to start our elephant safari. Yep! elephant safari. With 4 to an elephant we managed to squeeze ourselves in and hold on tight. Not much time went past and we caught sight of an Asian Rhino bathing in the river. Did you know that Rhino’s fart! Well they do, we caught this Rhino creating bubbles, hee hee!!. Our elephant continued to walk through the long grass and jungle all in the hope of spotting a tiger or maybe a sloth bear. Nope! No luck again!

Back at the lodge, before lunch we walked down to the river and watched the locals washing the elephants before we knew it we were in the water with the locals and the elephants having an AWESOME time washing the elephants. Or were the elephants washing us, either way we all had a ball.

After lunch we set off down the river in a canoe 30 minutes later our canoe experience was over and it was time for us to set off on foot for the last time to see if we could spot any tigers or sloth bears. I just need to remember to run, no wait stand still, break from the group, or was it find the group..... Oh! No! I think I am in trouble.

Our walk in the jungle turned out to have limited wildlife that we could spot but was nice to finish it with a sunset over the river.

Watch out below!!

With it taking several hours of horn honking, dodging cows, goats and stay locals we finally make it out of Kathmandu and on to some open road before we knew it we were at Royal Beach Camp for lunch our first night of camping and activities.

Activities you ask. I wasted no time and put my hand up to try cannoning.  I can only hope the rope, tree and the man at the bottom are strong enough to support me.  

We set off ready for the adventure ahead, first we all pile into the back of a truck for 10 minutes then out we get to climb up a hill/mountain before taking the leap we get a very brief intro to cannoning. Argh!!! I drew the short straw, (OK I volunteered) and I am first to take the plunge down first drop 9 meters followed by 11.   I make it to the bottom tangle myself up in the excess rope and swallow a gallon of water.  OMG, this is so AWESOME can’t wait to do the next 3 waterfalls.

After getting around the third waterfall/drop its time to walk for 5 minutes to the last waterfall this challenge comes to a whopping 45 meter drop. 

OK so you know how it ends I live and all limbs accounted for. Yay for me.

A night of camping before we head for Chitwan National Park.

A quick introduction to Nepal

Phew!!  After a close call with a delayed flight out of Sydney and running through Hong Kong Terminal, I made my next flight. Kathmandu here I come.  Now that I have arrived to Kathmandu my next challenge is to find my way through all the locals the fake taxi drivers and find the driver from the hotel where I am staying.  Excellent!!!! found him, or should I say he found me. In the old Toyota from 1973 I get in and hold on for dear life.  It’s now 11pm and time for some shut eye. Tomorrow I will explore Kathmandu.

I changed rooms and met a fellow Dragoman traveller (Katherine). We hit the streets together in the search for some snake charmers; great market deals and experience all of Kathmandu.  As we explore the city avoid all the rickshaws, open sewers, bad electricity cabling, we managed to find a great place for a late lunch and try some vegetarian momo’s. These momo’s remind me of Chinese dumplings, either way these were delicious and can see myself ordering these again.

We begin to make our way back to the hotel for our group meeting but on the way Katherine stops at a shop that is selling some knitted slipper/socks.  As Katherine is searching for the right size and colour the salesman advises her that they are also available with FLEX. FLEX????  As he then shows us we then realise that he means fleece.  Umm!  funny how just one word can make such a difference.  Katherine made her purchase in readiness for the UK winter, unfortunately she did not select a pair with FLEX.

Just before making it back to the hotel in time for the group meeting/dinner, we passed a local carrying a fridge. Umm! Not something you see every day. 

Awesome Adventure #10 - Nepal & India - Part 1

First part of this AWESOME adventure should be great not only do I get to see Kathmandu but I also get to visit the golden triangle. Cant wait to see the Taj Mahal I can only hope it is as good as everyone makes out.

  

Awesome Adventure #10 - Nepal & India

Around the world in 80 Days. 

OK! So I am travelling for a little longer than 80 Days and I am not travelling around the world. For this adventure I am travelling to Nepal and India.



Not knowing what to expect on this trip I am going in with an open mind and open eyes.

Wish me luck.