http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/kvity/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from kvity en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:09:07 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:09:07 +0000 We initially thought that at the beginning of the trip we were in the midst of the Duwali festival. But it later became ambiguous what festival this was. In Mumbai and Nagpur we were told that it's Duwali but in Delhi we were told that it was the Festival of Lights and that Duwali is something else. In any event the festival seemed to span about the first 78 days of our trip. That's one http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Maharashtra/Nagpur/blog-338662.html The Oberoi Hotel is beautiful and as almost everywhere in India the staff is really amazing. The restaurants are great too. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Uttar-Pradesh/Agra/blog-337182.html The Red Fort is actually a fortified castle which was constructed by a series of Mughal kings including the designer of the Taj Mahal Shah Jahan. Maharaja Shah Jahan was ultimately placed under house arrest in the fort by his son Aurangzeb after Aurangzeb executed his brother and seized power. The fort includes a moat drawbridge and the places for archers to launch attacks. The Indian http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Uttar-Pradesh/Agra/blog-336977.html We were only in Delhi to go to and from the airport. Laura and I will be back though. In the course of our driving we sawa family of five riding one motorcyclecows grazing in a 3 sq ft median stripa camel traina polo team riding down the streetpainted literally horses and donkeysa guy carrying mattresses on his bicycle http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/National-Capital-Territory/Delhi/blog-335271.html In photos the Taj usually looks rather cheesy. It's amazing in person. I had to go to the dentist in Agra. It turned out to be a fairly pleasant experience cost me only 100 rupees plus 100 rupees at the chemist shop and relieved the problem. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Uttar-Pradesh/Agra/blog-335268.html After leaving Bandhavgahr we drove to the airport Khajuraho. We managed to leave early enough to have a little while to visit the temples. There are 25 temples built over about a 1000 year span of time and they were lost for 1100 years until they were rediscovered as I recall by the British building the railroad. The temples celebrate the creation aspect Hinduism. Photos forthcoming... http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Madhya-Pradesh/Khajuraho/blog-335267.html Last week after leaving Chitvan Suites at Pench Nat'l Park a fantastic hotel we drove to Bandhav Villas at Bandhavgarh Nat'l Park. The drive... Driver has black hair partially died orange. His style is to excellerate as much as possible whenever possible to lurch to a halt when necessary and to whirl within milimeters of cars trucks bikers adult pedestrians children cows dogs goats http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Madhya-Pradesh/Bandhavgarh-NP/blog-335256.html Day 9 Oct. 11 Kahna Nat'l Park Chitvan LodgeMy last entry was very brief because I was whisked away to dinner. The Lodge has been over the top. We have a wake up call at 5 am and are served tea and coffee as requested. By 530 we load into a jeep to go for a nature drive. Midmorning in the park we have breakfast consisting of hardboiled eggs paneer on white bread sandwiches tea http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Madhya-Pradesh/Kanha-National-Park/blog-333160.html Oct. 9 2008 Laura's 40th birthday Presently Kahna Nat'l Park came today from Indira Pench Nat'l ParkThe lodge we are at is fantastic. Very beautiful. I just finished a cooking lesson. The chef showed me sauces for vegetables and bread today. Tomorrow dessert and meats. They will give me the recipes before I leave. Yesterday in Pench we saw Tiger She was beautiful napping http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Madhya-Pradesh/Kanha-National-Park/blog-332582.html Oct. 7 240 a.m. We depart for Nagpur this morning. Our flight is at 705 but we leave the hotel at 430 because of traffic. Yesterday we toured. The photos capture the experience better than I can with the exception of dinner because I didn't photograph it we ate in the hotel's Chinese restaurant. I ordered the capsicum because had never tried it and none of us knew what it was. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Maharashtra/Mumbai/blog-331613.html Day4Postbreakfast Mumbai Marine Plaza Hotel Inquiring minds details bathrooms so far aokay in fact very nice and clean. Exchange ratevery good 47 rupees to one U.S. Prices We're staying high end. Tips for guides 100200 rupees very nice midnight buffet dinner11each. Food Based on two meals both in the hotel restaurant. Really great. Mixed cuisines. midnight b http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Maharashtra/Mumbai/blog-330926.html