Southern India, the last leg of our journey

Someone I met the other day said it so well, that "India should be viewed as a continent rather than a country". I feel that statement is so true.

We have flown from Udaipur to Cochin in the Kerala region of southern India. Upon exiting the aircraft it was as if we had arrived to a tropical island that is so vastly different from Rajasthan. Here the people are much more relaxed, the clothing and architecture not as ornate and the environment very tropical. We were greeted by blue skies and friendly folk. The streets of Fort Cochin are full of small interesting shops where you can feel comfortable browsing without any pressure to buy. Being a coastal town, fresh seafood is readily available by the shorefront markets.
This region of India has a strong Christian influence with many small churches of varying protestant Christian faiths.

Photo of traditional Kerala theatrical performer we had the privilege of seeing.


The next morning we enjoyed a relaxing lunch on a privately owned island


where fruit and vegetables are grown and harvested for their own kitchen. What can I say, except that it was another delicious meal, though the Kerala style of cooking is quite different from that of other regions of India. Here coconuts are plentiful and used generously.


We have had the pleasure of sharing a meal in the homes of these lovely Indian ladies.





Spices of course are used liberally in all Indian meals.


Having spent a relaxing afternoon and night aboard a houseboat on the river, we enjoyed the most spectacular sunset and moon rising with shadows of local villagers passing in canoes and beautiful rice fields along the river. It doesn't get much better.












Our last 2 days are spent relaxing by the beach at the Marari Beach Resort, before it is back home with memories to last a lifetime.

- Marika at Women's Own Adventure signing off
www.womensownadventure.com

Location:Kerala, India

Textiles, Designs and old Indian gentlemen

Our journey over the past few days has taken us from Jodhpur to Udaipur by road with a stop over in Narlai. There don't seem to be any road rules in India, it is chaos on the roads but miraculously we have not come across an accident of any kind, not even a minor bingle and have not seen any road rage either. The drivers are very polite to each other as they drive on the wrong side of the road overtaking at every opportunity with the blast of a horn and minimal use of brakes. Our driver has been sensational, even navigating through tiny back streets of the old town.


While we waited for our transport at a hotel in Jaipur, the Dalai Lama just arrived to speak to a gathering and we were fortune enough to see him.
Jodhpur is well known for beautiful textiles, both block printed and embroidered. The colours and designs of Rajeshstan are stunning in not only the textiles but also in the architecture. There is such detail and intricacy.

We have been introduced to so much knowledge;
How to roll and tie a Turban
How to block print onto fabric
How to screen print designs in so many colours
How to tie and wear a sari
How to create paper from left over fabric pieces
How to drive on Indian roads
How to enjoy a hot oil Indian head massage
How to bargain in the markets
How to tell which is a real pashmina
How to get onto a camel and get off again with dignity
How to ride in a bullock cart under the stars
How to ride an elephant with dignity
How to be humble in temples, both large and small
How to peer through veiled walls as the queens had to
How to eat curry at every meal

I am sure we still have a lot to learn.


At Narlai we have been treated to a bullock cart ride in the evening to dinner under the stars. This was very special as the local villagers decorated their step well with candle lights and an open fire. They positioned our seating around the well while the sound of indigenous music wafted through the night air. The dinner was delicious and was overseen by an elderly Indian gentleman of 78 who had served as a captain in the army from 1956 to 1985. He was so proud to show us his photo in uniform displaying his many medals. These are the kinds of personal interactions that we remember.

Look at the ears on the horse, all the horses have ears like that.








- Marika at Women's Own Adventure signing off
www.womensownadventure.com

Location:Jodhpur, India

Palaces and Elephants

Jaipur as an ancient city was surrounded and protected by Fort Amber, whose walls ran across the hills of the valley and whose palace graced the hillside. Today we rode to the Fort on Elephant back. A wonderful way take in the scenery on the way up the hill as you get a real sense of how life was in this ancient world.



Returning from the Fort with jeeps through narrow streets.


Our next stop was the City Palace, a beautiful and grand building in the centre of Jaipur. Then shopping was the order of the afternoon. India has such an abundance of fine fabrics with beautiful designs and colours.



- Marika at Women's Own Adventure signing off
www.womensownadventure.com

Location:Jaipur, India

Tigers and Bears

On our very first morning in Ranthambore we encountered a Royal Bengal Tiger on our early morning safari through the game park. This large male tiger of over 200kg was resting by the river and took our presence in his stride. We had a very clear view of him at a distance of no more than 15 metres, and we had plenty of opportunity to observe him for over half an hour from our open topped jeep. This photo is the one I took.


All of the animals in the game park are free and wild, however they are accustomed to the jeeps and are not disturbed by them at all. Though our guide did warn us not to get out of the jeep as the tiger could then feel threatened.


We enjoyed an evening game drive by the lake and found lots of deer, gazelle, peacock, samba, crocodile and birds. The evening light and mild weather were just beautiful. Then our last game drive the next morning took us to a different area of the park where we were lucky enough to spot a sloth bear grazing through the forest. This topped of the whole experience for us, feeling very fortunate indeed to have spotted so much wildlife.

After a delicious meal, our luxury tent with a view over the plains, under a star lit sky, was waiting.


Oh, did I mention the camel ride through the local village after lunch?


- Marika at Women's Own Adventure signing off

Location:Ranthambore, India

Oh WOW!

Words are lost as I gaze at the beauty of the Taj Mahal.


A majestic tribute to womanhood, the monument that is the Taj Mahal was built as a token of love. This monument took 20,000 people a total of 20 years to build and the result is an absolutely exquisite, feminine building
which from a distance looks like it is made of white lace, then as you step closer the colours of the marble become apparent as does the detail of the inlays and intricate designs. I have never seen a building so beautiful and so feminine.


Even if we had witnessed nothing else in all of India, the journey is already worth while after only 2 days, and I am sure that my travel companions agree.
- Marika at Women's Own Adventure signing off

Location:Agra, India

Our first day in Delhi, the New and the Old

Delhi, the gateway to India has a precious monument heritage steeped in
history. Of the 1,300 listed monuments of Delhi's ancient and modern cities, we explored 2 of them this afternoon. But first we were in for a real treat with a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi's tiny narrow market streets.







These streets are shared by cars, motorbikes, pedestrians, bicycles, rickshaws and buses, with everyone bustling past each other while trying not to get run over by anything. It was an experience that brought the character of the city to life with the crowded street bazaars. It is certainly a city of vast contrast between the old and the new. Surprisingly the new city is clean, and with 17 million people I have seen much more crowded roads in Bolivia then here.

Yes, this is a photo I took of snakes responding to the music.


We paid a visit to The Laxmi Narayan Temple, a beautiful place of worship for the Hindus, our local guide explained the basics of the Hindu beliefs and way of life while we explored the temple.





Later in the day we walked through the Humayun's Mausoleum and garden tomb. This beautiful building shows intricate Jaali work on windows inside the tomb. In between the sightseeing we had a delicious buffet lunch at the Lalit hotel, and also found time to shop for amazing fabrics and rugs made of the most exquisite silk in the most beautiful colours and designs.

It has been a long journey over here and a full day, so sleep is calling.

- Marika at Women's Own Adventure signing off

Location:Delhi, India