Bhuj to Hodka

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Today I passed through the Topic of Cancer and saw endless Castor Oil crops..a totally noxious weed in Australia.

What an experience to drive over the Kutch Desert toward Little Rann Sanctuary. This place is famous for its birds in the middle of the desert and many migratory birds flock here including Flamingo. But I did not see any of those this time. This place is an amount of water that is left from the monsoon rains that does not evaporate in the middle of the desert. Truly an oasis. Camels, buffalo, herdsman and their goats and sheep come here to drink. The desert was once a big inland river and in 1879 an earthquake diverted the river into Pakistan, hense now a desert.

I visited Hodka Village, a kind of eco tourism venture. Local tribes have been invited to share their customs and beautiful handicrafts with foreigners such as myself.

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Photos

Milk Delivery
Delivery of milk in the coastal town of Mandvi.

The Australian Connection
Brahma is 45 years old and wants to visit Sydney Opera House. She decorated her hut with this picture. As you could imagine she was so pleased to meet me, being an Australian.

Colourful Angels

Little Women of Hodka Village

Colours That Would Make a Blind Man See
I was so mesmerised by all the colours and mirrorwork. Such an amazing skill.

Daily Creations

Blissfull Happiness
An arranged marriage twenty years on, and three beautiful children to boot. Ompriya's parents at the bird lookout at Little Rann Sanctuary Kutch.

Little Rann Sanctuary 1
The inland oasis for migratory birds and animals that frequent it for quenching thirst in this harsh salty desert.

Overlooking Pakistan and Indian Border
The Great Kutch Desert seperates India and the Pakistan Border. There is a 60km exclusion zone. So this is about as close as one can come. Apart from the India bridge below these mountains that is not passable.

What The...!!!
What an eye sore to what could be such a an extraordinary country.

Comments

[Kuldip Gadhvi]

Dear Traveller, This is Kuldip from Bhuj Kutch who is really glad to view your blog and pictures. It is so nice that you had good time in Kutch. I hope you won't mind my little correction in your blog about separation of Sindhu river which in fact, divided its route in 1819 instead of 1879. For more info about Kutch you may contact me via email [e-mail] All the best! Kuldip

[Wings to fly]

Correction
Namaste Kuldip Thank you for enlightening myself and others to the correct date and name of river. I don't mind at all. Ajvu Tess

[Wings to fly]

Hi isn't it interesting how translation is so vast? Yes Aavju is the farewell and please come again salutation, and yet there have been a number of different spelling I have found. Unfortunately while the food is interesting it is too oily with ghee, sugar and milk in almost everything. There is high incidence of diabetes and asthma in India, and most wouldn't know they have it and therefore attend to it and correct it as best possible. As for the western diet of vegetarianism, we have it perfect with fresh raw and varietal fruits and vegetables. Not everything has to be cooked till it is complete baby food every time however. Thanks for your comments. Tess Aavju

[sid]

hodka
nice work done..great pictures