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

Woman, thy name is entrepreneur...

This great video was brought to my attention by Sue from Inspiring Women.

I love it and want to share it with you.
Please let me know what you think ... Marika

Our India Journey begins in February

On February 6th, 2011 a small group of adventurous women will travel to India with Women's Own Adventure's Indian Safari, The Great Epic Adventure.

You will be able to follow us on this blog, where we will share our journey and photos with you.






Signing off from Marika at Women's Own Adventure (www.womensownadventure.com) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What is your personal challenge for 2011?

As women we often place our own personal needs at the bottom of the list. Will you plan time out just for yourself in 2011? Please share your thoughts with us.

Merry Christmas to You

from Marika

Peru, a land of many faces

On my third trip to Peru, I am sill discovering so many more faces to this amazing country and friendly people. I am here as partly work for Women's Own Adventure and partly vacation, to learn more, to improve my Spanish, to experience paragliding in Lima and to spend time with some of the people I work with.

Having arrived in Lima we travelled south 260 kms to Paracas the next day. Paracas is a small seaside village which is the gateway to the Ballestas Islands. These islands are Peru's secret oasis of life in the coastal desert. The coastal landscape is very dry with almost no rain at all year round. Taking a large open speedboat across the water to the Ballestas Islands we spotted a pod of dolphins lazily swimming alongside us in the thick soupy waters. These waters don't compare to our Australian waters at all. There is a darkness and heaviness, a smell and an aura full of life. It invades my senses with the beginnings of life. So many birds  have never seen before, as they dive for food, hover above and perch on the rocky outcrops, share the same space are penguins, cormorant, seagulls, pelicans and others I can't name. Sea Lions are also abundant on these rocks, sleeping in the sun. A humbling experience to be amongst so much life.

Our journey then takes us a little further south to Ica, where the only true Oasis in the actual desert still exists in the whole of  South America. The city of Ica is surrounded by massive sand hills, extending for some 60kms. With little imagination, the locals favourite past-time is sand surfing and sand buggy riding. They build dune buggies big en0ugh for 10 brave hearted people to strap themselves in and have the ride of their lives, speeding across the dunes with hills larger and steeper than any roller coaster ride. Those of us who are unable to master sand boarding (like snow boarding) lying on my stomach on the board and pointing downhill worked even better and faster. Great fun, but probably not for everyone.

A little further south again, brought us to Nasca, home of the amazing Nasca Lines. Many theories exist about this archeological wonder on what its purpose was, having been etched in the ground between about 100bc and 400bc by he Nasca people, well before the Incas came into being. The high plains of the desert area are etched with hundreds of lines and markings, many of which clearly portray images that can only be deciphered from the air. Such images as a spider, condor, hummingbird, dog, monkey and others. So, in  order to get a birds eye view of these amazing images, some spanning 100 metres wide, we took to the air in a light plane. The view was spectacular and the images so clearly visible from the air, it has raised so many more questions in my mind about the diverse culture and history which makes up this remarkable country of Peru.

- signing off from Marika, Women's Own Adventure

Arrivederci Roma

The time has come to depart this amazing city with it's ruins and history. One last walk around the Colosseum and the ancient Roman Forum will keep me sustained for a while, though I am sure that I will be back.

 

My journey home will take me via Japan, then onto Sydney, completing a 6 week round the world adventure. I have been honored to meet wonderful people along the way and to spend time and to share experiences with like-minded women adventure travellers.

Why don't you join us on our next adventure?

- signing off from Marika, Women's Own Adventure

Sienna, Florence and Cinque Terre

Our time is Tuscany is coming to a close, with one final day of walking, eating and drinking the local wine. Then we travel for about an hour with our fantastic drivers, Carlo and Marco, to spend the afternoon in beautiful Sienna then onto Florence where we enjoy 2 nights.

   

Florence is full of art and history, everywhere you look, the buildings, the streets, the bridges are full of beautiful sculptures, paintings and frescoes from the Renaissance times and earlier. The highlight for me was seeing the real statue of Michelangelo's David in the Museum as well as the Duoma Cathedral; spectacular.

It was then time for us to part company as some of the girls travelled to Rome, while another 9 of us took the optional 3 day add-on to Cinque Terre. The sea and the cliffs are stunning in their raw beauty and even more so with the 5 villages clinging to the cliffs along the rugged coastline. This part of Italy was accessed by water only right up until 1970. These 5 coastal villages are joined together by a stunning cliff walkway, though today there is also a train joining them.

This is a wonderful way to end our journey and say arrivederci.

- signing off from Marika, Women's Own Adventure

Cooking, Wine and Olives in Amiata

Our wonderful and flamboyant host and chef, Enrico, treated us to a cooking class at his olive farm, where of course, the farm produced olive oil was used with gusto in our creations.

From learning that the basis of Italian cooking is onion and celery, to brewing a delicious and hearty mushroom and beans soup, to handmade pasta and of course authentic pizza base, we thoroughly enjoyed our creations at lunch and enjoyed even more seeing our soup and pasta being served to guests in the restaurant.

The afternoon was spent lazing about the poolside or walking to the next gorgeous village. Dinner was a special occasion as well with live music ad plenty of wine and dancing. The Australian girls do know how to have fun.

In the morning we walked about 6 kms to the modern art park of  Daniel Spoerri, whose sculpture garden is a special mix of art and nature, where time alone amongst the sculptures allowed me to feel some of what the artist portrayed.

The next day we enjoyed a morning walk from the breathtakingly beautiful and simple San Antimo Abbey, which dates back to the 8th century.

 

We then met some busy locals in the village, ate some wild cherries straight from the tree and walked through stunning countryside for about 1.5 hours to arrive at an organic winery where Katia and her son Daniel treated us to a wonderful lunch under the old oak tree, while overlooking the valley below. The afternoon was like being invited to lunch at a friends place. This small winery produces DOCG wine in the organic way. It was a very special afternoon, and our walk continued after lunch to arrive at another beautiful family run wine farm where we are enjoying 3 nights in comfort, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature as well as more walks through this beautiful Tuscan land. Ahh, it feels like heaven!

- signing off from Marika, Women's Own Adventure

Wild Roses in the Tuscan Countryside

Beautiful wild roses grow along the side of country trails while the other wild roses from Women's Own Adventure walk along these same winding trails.

We are now staying in a beautiful olive farm with a pool and a view to die for. The hills of Tuscany are simply beautiful. Today we walked for about 4 hours through little country roads and picked wild cherries along the way, wild strawberries, through chestnut forests, saw almond and walnut trees and of course lots of olive trees and grapevines as well as so many different coloured and scented wild roses. We also met an Australian man who moved here with his wife and live in a beautiful house that was rundown and empty for 30 years, they were here on holidays about 8 years ago and decided to stay and bought the old house and fixed it up.

Lunch was served in a 10th century castle which is now owned by an English family and has been restored from almost ruins over the past 10 years. They grow grapevines and olive trees, making their own wine as well as their own olive oil. Both are fantastic! The local wine, especially the red wine is very good and is served with every meal (except breakfast thankfully).

The other morning, while some of us enjoyed a hilltop walk of some 8 kms to be rewarded with beautiful 360° views all around, two of our group took the opportunity for a 40km bicycle ride through winding roads to arrive at the natural hot springs, which are like a hot bath with waterfalls, out in the open and surrounded by trees and the sounds of birds. The Tuscan countryside is so very beautiful and very special. Their are no tourists here, so we are experiencing authentic Tuscan culture with wonderful people. This countryside is like walking through a picture postcard.

Tomorrow morning we will be having a cooking lesson at the olive farm and everyone is looking forward to that, as we will be eating our creations for lunch. Yum!

- signing off from Marika, Women's Own Adventure

Santa Fiori - song, dance and laughter

The first day of our journey through Southern Tuscany saw us leave the hustle and bustle of Rome behind. As it is Saturday we are doing what every local Roman does, leave the city to the tourists over the weekend. We travelled for about an hour and a half before stopping for lunch in a beautiful lakeside town. The lake is actually the crater of an ancient volcano with the water a bright blue colour against the dark sandy shore.

Another hour further on brings us to Santa Fiori, a Medieval town which has a long history, more recently that of a mineral mining town , but now houses only approximately 1,000 residents. It has a charming atmosphere with a town square of course and being built high on the hillside it has a stunning view over the valley and adjoining hills.

The highlight of our day, and a wonderful start to our trip was the evening meal and entertainment. OK we were actually the entertainment, or at least a part of it. As the evening turned out, we were guests at a party in our hotel with brilliant live music. The Australians (that is us) were seated at one end of the room and the Italians at the other end of the room. Neither of us could speak any of the other's language, however as we all know, music and dance is an international language. We were of course the rowdy lot in the room and it didn't take long for Marion to get the old Italian gentleman up and dancing, which was the incentive needed for everyone else on the Italian side of the room to join the rowdy Aussies on the dance floor. What a great night we had! The musicians played on in their own time for hours and did not want to stop with such an appreciative audience. Exhaustion finally saw us all tumble up to bed. A great start to our Tuscan experience.

- signing off, from Marika, Women's Own Adventure

Roma, a city steeped in history

Having the opportunity to spend 5 days in Rome has given me a massive lesson in history.

The entire first day was spent in the  Colosseum and the Roman Forum with my eyes as wide as saucers. With a history dating back over 2,700 years and watching people sit on ancient relics and walk over cobbled streets that were built so long ago has been a remarkable experience for someone who lives in a country which is a mere 200 odd years young. Fallen marble columns and other relics adorn the streets of ancient Rome, and it is an eery feeling indeed as I walked with my head looking up at the massive structures, some of which took hundreds of years to build. It was all built on such a grand scale than we mere  mortals must have felt then, as I feel now...quite insignificant in the scheme of things.

Rome is a bustling city which does take some getting used to. It is filled with tourists from all over the world as can be heard from the many different languages spoken around me. Every monument and museum is filled with people. The Vatican sees 30,000 visitors through its doors each and every day!

In having said that however,  given the choice, I would not miss the opportunity to visit Rome again. The Italian men are also quite dashing (as you can see by the photo). Listening to the beautiful Italian language with its colourful intonation has me trying to mimic the sound at every opportunity. Thankfully, most people are pleased to hear me trying to communicate with them in their own language and style, and equally thankfully, most know a little English and the hand gestures do the rest.

Tomorrow our group of Women's Own Adventure ladies will be arriving and beginning our Cultural Taste of Southern Tuscany, out of the city, which will be a welcome change of pace for me.  I will keep you updated on our journey through Tuscany over the next 2 weeks.

- signing off from Marika, Women's Own Adventure