7000 Steps to Heaven

---

We've made our way off the beaten track into the state of Gujarat. After travelling on the trains for 22 hours we've arrived in Junagadh, a quaint town of about 170,000 people (small for India). So far we're quite popular here, not many westerners, everyone says hello and if they don't know any english they prefer to stare and smile. Overall though, Gujarat people speak quite good english and Jarrod is currently engaged in a facinating conversation with some Indian teenaged boys about American football, hockey, cost of land, population, and many other topics...

Uperkot Fort

We've seen most of the forts through Rajasthan and I wasn't too keen to see another, but the fort here in Junagadh is the best yet. Uperkot Fort was built about 320BC and aparantly been taken over many times. It survived a 12 year siege as well, but was abandonded between 7-10th century and when they found it again it was grown over with jungle. I really liked the fort because it was a bit grown over now and there was weeds and grass and some wild pigs, pigeons, peacoks and phesants. Inside the fort there is something from every religion. There was a mosque, buddist caves (dark, damp and creepy really), and decorated hindu gods along the roadside.

Junagadh Zoo

Visited the zoo as well and had a great time. I got my cat fix seeing Asiaic lions, leopards, tigers and jungle cats! Jarrod wasn't quite as impressed as I was with the cats and pulled me away to see the snakes. He's become quite obsessed with snakes (particiarlly the cobra) and was dissapointed when the cobra at the zoo was curled up in a ball in the corner.

Grinar Hill

We got some long needed exercise and climbed 7000 steps up Grinar Hill for a view of the city and surrounding mountains. We hiked all the way up and all the way down, but for the fat and lazy there are porters that will carry you up. The porters charge by weight, so you get weighed in before hand... we saw mostly chubby people being carried up and some quite elderly people doing it own their own one step at a time. Indians make the treck up the hill to visit the temples and while the temples were nice the view was fantastic.

Next we're heading 5 hours south to the beach island of Diu for some sun, sand and surf!

---

Photos

Muslim Graves
At Uperkot Fort

Grinar Hill
View of Grinar Hill from the fort... we conquored the great mountain!

Top of Grinar Hill
Proof we made it!

Comments

[Kevin]

Not far enough
How many thousand miles away are you and it still feels like you're right beside me just looking for an opportunity to enlighten me....Hope the beach is everything you're hoping for. Miss both of you

[Carrol]

Close to Home
We are always near to give advice and our two cents to our friends. Anytime for you, Kevin.