Blogs from India, Asia - page 1982

Yesterday we arose at 5:30 (difficult for Jamie) and climbed into a "canter" (open-topped bus) for a morning trip to Ranthambore National Park, a 1300 km2 reserve about 300 km south of New Delhi. It's a dry area, mostly acacia thorn scrub, with larger trees in the riparian areas. It was good to have this tour, because it shows what much of India would look like if it didn't have 1 B people. In the morning it was cold, luckily the operators provided blankets. The hope of course was to see tigers; there are reputedly 35 to 40 tigers in the area (one per 3500 ha?), and most of the other passengers appeared to be fixated on that hope. We saw many peacock, or pea fowl, (this is their native habitat), chittal the spotted deer, (and ... read more

Hello all! We have now reached the blue city of Jodhpur having been to Jaipur and Pushkar. Jaipur (nicknamed the pink city) is the renowned shopping district of Rajasthan but suprisingly I managed to resist, mainly due to the fact I get so confused during the haggling process I dont end up with what I thought I was getting - doh! After the elephant ride of the first day walking about in the streets was a good change, although crossing the road is an adventure in itself. After waiting about 10 minutes to cross one road in particuar we spotted some men carrying huge blocks of material on their heads creating a kind of canopy as they walked together. Because the material was so large and so heavy they had to walk slowly and couldn't turn ... read more

WEST SIDE! why are you so cool west coast of india? you too are way more laid back than the east! we had a beautiful train ride up to Kollam, which is the best city to start the upward journey through Kerala's backwaters. we wasted no time and jumped onto a ferry boat to explore the winding water ways and salt water canals. after only a few minutes we got to see enormous prawn net contraptions, amazingly colorful birds like Kingfishers (also the name of the best beer here!), and children splashing around in the water. here in india the polite way kids are taught to beg from travelers is to ask them for school pens (when really they want the hard cash, but look oh so cute and innocent this way). we got a kick ... read more

Did the tourist thing and made my way to; Five Rathas, they are rock-cut temples that resemble chariots, Arjuanas Peanane, a huge with animal and carvings of deities - quite impressive and the romantic Shore temple. After spending 3 months exploring various forts and temples they have all but lost their appeal, although, the village has impressed me; palm trees, sand covered roads, quaint road-side stalls selling sweet bananas, lassies and fruit juice and a huge collection of beach-side restaurants with the “catch of the day” on show. Ate at a rather interesting Indian restaurant and had a delicious South Indian Thali, and of course, I ate with my fingers. Headed for the beach, read Moby Dick and swam like a mad-man. Met my good man Steve Gallagher, a set-designer and no relation to Liam in ... read more

In this region of India people are sharp on not drinking alcohol. You may not drink in public places' only at the varanda of your hotel perhaps. we had our breakfast at "Chineese Dishes" in the town very near to the boat jetty and transferred to the boat to Kollam. It took 8 hrs. and we paid 300 inR /person excluding lunch and tea stop. that boat trip by itself a totally backwater one. You watch the Kerala way of living by the water side. The nature, people and their believes make this land " God's Own Country". After KollamWe shared a taxi with a couple to Varkala. The pictures may make you feel jealous, those friends who are strugling with minus degrees' we hope to worm them by our report. We are planning to go ... read more