Allen R

Ahmedabad Well after an average length drive down a dull 4 lane toll freeway we arrived at Ahmedabad. Unfortuantely I came down with the cold on the way and the city air was as bad or worse than Delhi. Out came the N95 anti-viral surgical mask I brought from home which really helped with the breathing! Missed touring both mosques and the large stepped well. No pictures at all worth sharing. Glad to fly on to Mumbai.... read more

Jaipur The Amber Fort (bagging another monument) is pretty impressive largely because of the many elephants carrying tourists up. However because of some controversy over how the elephants are treated and the long line-up ( the north is where all the tourists are!!) we elected to jeep up and walk down with the unloaded elephants. Great fun. But the the fort was so over run with tourist crowds that it was difficult to take many good photos. THe City Palace was interesting but not overwhelming. The walk down main street with its' pink facades and local vendors was more fun. And Jaipur being a big city set in a valley of surrounding hills made breathing hard. Stopped at a Wildlife Sanctuary along the way but not nearly as impressive as Periyar in the south.... read more

Delhi Well after a quick direct flight from Poovar to Delhi ( we elected to absorb the cost of the two part flight with plane changes in Bangalore booked but our Vancouver agent for the more convenient flight ), welcome to the north. Much colder. Walking the streets much less comfortable as we found out when I escorted Chindi out to find an ATM and the local travel agent. I had to puff up my chest and look fierce. And the air pollution! Chindi and I were invited to a lovely lovely dinner at the home of the owner of the travel agency. It was wonderful and the whole family was very gracious. However I had to take a gravol for nausea on the drive to their beautiful home and I haven't used gravol since heavy ... read more

Alleppey Next day we were off to Allepey - houseboat country. On the way we stopped to watch Chinese style fishing from a beach and to do a little more shopping in an area that is literally called “Jew Town”. Arrived at the houseboats by noon and immediate departure for 24 hour cruise. Beautiful scenes and cool while cruising but at night very hot and humid despite fans and mosquito nets. Chindi, Nathan, and one of the boat cooks competed to put on dinner from this small kitchen. ... read more

Periyar Hi from Periyar, a hill station in the western ghats. We stopped at a spice plantation for a guide tour. Very interesting as India produces most of the worlds spices and Kerala can grow almost all of them. Then a visit to the Periyar Tiger Reserve where I saw almost everything except a tiger (which is not unusual as they are largely nocturnal). Then, after a night at the Elephant Court hotel, more roadside scenes on the way to Cochin. Rice and tea cultivation is a big industry in this part of Kerala. So far Kim is not enjoying the bumpy van ride (hard on her back) and the heat and humidity but we are both enjoying the scenery and culture. It will be cooler in the north next week. No tummy problems! ... read more