My Oyster

Saving the best for last...

Ok. Honestly - I did not want to go to the Taj Mahal again this trip. I went last time. It was great. But it's out of the way and Agra is just awful.

However, Jean wanted to go. So we made sure to include it. I am really glad we did.  It was wonderful to see it with him.

We got there fairly early and waded through all the people trying to sell us something - generally crap.  We decided to get a tour guide - primarily to take pictures of us.  He was good and we did learn a fair amount.  Plus, we got some good pics.  He did know all the best angles.

The Taj really was a great way to end this trip.  After we saw it, we packed the car and made the long and slow drive to Delhi.  We did a bit more shopping, checked into our hotel for a few hours to shower and pack, and then headed back to Indira Gandhi International.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

This greeted us at breakfast this morning at the hotel restaurant.  It looked and smelled beautiful.  

Beauty...

Walking through the gate and getting your first view of the Taj is a breathtaking moment.

Fun...

Had to do it.    

Spirit...

All (?) 15 books of the Koran are inscribed with (I think) onyx from Belgium inlaid into the marble.

Just liked it...

I think Jean is ready for some rest from our vacation.  The ride back to Delhi.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

Winding down in Rajasthan...

Today we did some last minute bargaining at the Jaipur Bazaar then hit the road for Agra. We are seeing the Taj Mahal tomorrow morning and that is really the only reason to come to Agra. Not much to say for it beyond that. However, just outside Agra is Fatehpur Sikri – which makes the drive to Agra much more interesting.

Jean and I got there just before sunset and we raced through what was once the capital of Emperor Akbar’s Mughal empire. The place is a photographer’s paradise with great angles everywhere you look and amazing colors. The pic above is one of our favorites from there.

We finished up the day with dinner in Agra with Tulse, our driver. We have had a great time with him.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

Akbar did a great job of weaving in gardens and trees with the architecture of his capital.  

Beauty...

Don’t know who they are or what they were discussing, but I thought the three of them on a distant wall under the setting sun was quite something.

Fun...

The roads of India are always entertaining. You never know what you will see. I liked this crowd on the bus today.    

Spirit...

Sunset at the main mosque at Fatehpur Sikri.

Just liked it...

One of the many snaps of Jean and I today.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

Taking to Diwali like...

...Orange on rice?  I am not sure what the right Indian simile might be - but whatever it is, we did that today.

Diwali is the festival of lights.  We saw them, in the form of fireworks, literally all day long.  Incredible.  It is midnight now and they are going as strong as they have been since 5pm.  We are back in our hotel room and can see (and hear) explosions over some part of the city at least every 2-3 seconds.  Not an exagerration.  And this has been going on for hours and hours!

I am told that Diwali is also about purchasing things, including gifts.  We did a LOT of that today too.  The pic above is with one shop owner we visited today.  We shopped for icons, for fabrics, for jewelry.  All simply beautifully made here in Rajasthan. 

This has been one very special Diwali for Jean and I.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

The Amber Fort.  It is nestled in the hills outside Jaipur.  The setting is a natural wonder..  

Beauty...

One of the gates at the City Palace.  I fell in love with these the first time I came here and they are no less stunning now.

Fun...

Me - trying to dismount off an elephant after a ride up the mountainside to the fort.    

Spirit...

We drove and roamed around Jaipur's neighborhoods tonight to see families celebrating Diwali.  This man was lighting the traditional candles outside his front door.

Just liked it...

Everyone here, young and old, seems so friendly.  With the kids, you just need to flash a smile to get an exhuberant response.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

India can be overwhelming...

I was thinking tonight that India may be too chaotic for my father.  That occurred to me as Jean and I were careening through the streets of Jaipur in a Tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw). During the 15 minute ride we were dodging cars, bikes, ox carts, pedestrians, cows, fires, bathers, urinaters, vendors, and more.  Seriously - all of them.

If you need clean and orderly, you might look to Austria first. But I love the energy and the stimuli here.  It's wonderful. 

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

On the road to Jaipur, we took a tiny detour to see this lake resort.  A great honeymoon spot.  

Beauty...

Lunch at the truck stop.  The best so far.

Fun...

We arrived in Jaipur tonight and headed down to the old city festivities.  Huge celebration brewing here.    

Spirit...

Fireworks seem to be driving the spirit of Diwali.  We have been hearing them all week and we are watching them from our hotel room tonight.

Just liked it...

Jean contemplating the menu at a coffee break during our drive today.  I think he was tired.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

Surprise, Surprise Jodhpur...

Honestly, I was not expecting much from Jodhpur. It was sort of a fallback because we could not get to Jaisalmer. But Jean and I both have really enjoyed the Blue City.

Maybe it’s just the start of Diwali festivities (we are listening to nonstop fireworks outside our hotel window) that makes the town such a good time. But, I think it is more. We visited some great sites and learned about more Rajput history. Very interesting. Throw in more great food and very good shopping and what’s not to love?!

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

Indian spices.  All natural.  Feast for all the senses.  

Beauty...

Even through the haze, the Blue City is stunning.

Fun...

 Jean and I having some tea and buying some spices.  We just purchased that bag of "Winter Tonic".  Awkward but fun.    

Spirit...

The guard and I at the Jaswant Thada - Jodhpur's ode to love a la the Taj Mahal.

Just liked it...

Everyone (mostly women) was at the market today stocking up for Diwali.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

Jaswant Thada

Getting Off the Beaten Path a Bit...

Today we hit the road from Udaipur to Jodhpur.  What should have been a 4 hour drive took us about 12.  We made some great stops along the way.

Now might be a good time for an introduction to our driver/tour guide - Tulse.  Fantastic.  Really friendly.  Really knowledgeable.  And he has the same approach to travel that I do - get off the beaten path if you can and the rural areas are where you really experience a country and its culture.

Today we were both on and off the beaten path.  It was great.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

We spent some time roaming around in fields and meeting farming families.  This mother and son were planting wheat for the winter harvest.  

Beauty...

Not me but the valley behind & below me.  Our trip today took us on some windy and hilly roads in southern Rajasthan.

Fun...

 Jean and I hopped out of the car in one small village along the way.  Lots of activity all around us.  

Spirit...

We spent a few hours at the Jain temple in Ranakpur.  More than 600 years old and with more than 1400 pillars - no two are the same.

Just liked it...

We popped into this home for a visit along the way.  Nice farming family.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

Really Diggin' Udaipur...

Today was our first (and only) full day in Udaipur and we packed it in.  Jean is good at making sure we have full and interesting days and nights when we travel.

I think I am now an expert on the Mewar kingdom – or Raj. It is a fascinating history and a proud one. The Mewars are the longest dynasty in the world. Impressive.

Today we toured the Mewar City Palace and also took a boat trip to their Lake Palace. From our hotel we could see their Monsoon Palace. These folks knew how to live.

We are trying to soak up as much of their lifestyle as we can.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

We spent much of the afternoon in the city's "lady's garden".  Flowers, fountains, sunshine and lots of people to watch.    

Beauty...

The City Palace area at sunset.  Stunning.

Fun...

Jean and I seem to draw a lot of attention.  At the Diwali fetival area we kept getting asked by groups of guys to take their picture with our cameras.  Odd, but what the heck.  

Spirit...

This town is totally geared up for Diwali.  You can definitely feel the spirit of the Festival of Lights.

Just liked it...

The Maharana of Udaipur had some amazing views.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.