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India, Nepal & Bhutan

October - November 2019
After 10 years we return to India to explore Rajasthan and cruise the Ganges. We then fly to Nepal for a new adventure; a place Tom has dreamed of travelling to. Finally we will complete this trip with
Bhutan -the happiest place on earth! Read more
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  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    Day 5

    Surprise Lunch

    October 26, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Our Tuk Tuk is stopped short of our destinations by a roadblock. We must proceed on foot. No discount for the shorter ride. Once out on the street Ravi mentions that he lives nearby and asks if we would like to go to his house for some Masala tea. He doesn’t have to ask twice as a rest from all the action here sounds attractive to Dianne and I. We walk about 200 meters from our location, and as we do we see that Ravi is obviously well known here. He nods to all the shop keepers, vendors and craftsmen who in turn wave to us as well. Arriving at his home, we climb some narrow steep stairs to the third floor where there is a terrace adjoining a sitting area and a small kitchen. Ravi introduces us to his parents, his wife and his son. His son is 5 years old. Ravi explains that his parents live on the second floor and he, his wife and son live on the third. The house is about 350 years old. His family has lived here at this location for 7 generations. His neighbours have been his neighbours for 200 years. We are in awe of this.

    Tea is served and Ravi’s mom asks through Ravi if we would like to eat some food. Again we don’t say no and soon we are served some spicy cauliflower in broth with naan bread. Ravi’s son is bouncing off the floor from excitement. Grandma reprimands him gently. In the meanwhile Dianne and I are trying to recall our Indian manners eating with our right hand and me really try not to make a mess. The house has been upgraded throughout its 350 years with new tiles, electricity, running water, kitchen appliances and such. Everyone is welcoming and conversational flows easily. Grandma and Grandpa don’t speak much English but Ravi’s wife is fluent. We spent about an hour talking about family and sharing pictures with each other.
    Before we leave, we are invited to see the temple in the kitchen, and we also partake of the view from the kitchen window. It is the same view we saw from the Mehrengarh Fortress, only in reverse. We part from the company of Ravi’s family with warm goodbyes and immense gratitude for the experience.    Read more

  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    1
    Day 5

    Krishna Temple and Market

    October 26, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    It is surprising how quiet Ravi’s house is compared to the cacophony of the streets below. We proceed to the Krishna temple on foot dodging motorbikes and tuk tuks. While we tour the temple, Ravi guards our shoes. The Clock Tower and Sadar Market is in the old city and is similar to the others we have seen, but being a holiday, people are dressed up. Dianne and I are mesmerized by all the colours of saris and the intricate jewellery on display. Tuk tuking back to our hotel is the most convenient mode of transport and we rendezvous with Hari our driver to set the time of departure for tomorrow. We say a final goodbye to Ravi, who has plans for a family gathering this evening at his home.Read more

  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    Day 5

    Mehrangarh Fortress

    October 26, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    This fortress stands 410 feet above the skyline of Jodpur.; built in the 15th century.

    Jodpur; the Blue City. Ravi explains that city was named in 1459 for its founder Rajput chief named Rao Jodhpur. Jodhpur is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was previously known as Marwar. Jodhpur is famous for its blue buildings, which were originally painted to signify that they were occupied by Brahmins, the highest caste in India.
    Ravi explained further that the blue colour has its advantages, it doesn’t absorb the heat as much and the mosquitoes apparently don’t like the colour neither!    Read more

  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    Day 6

    Happy Diwali - festival of lights

    October 27, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Diwali is Hindus largest and most important festival. Many preparations went into today and last nights celebration. Lights on many buildings and homes and other decorative garlands and flower petals sprinkled. Everyone was dressed in their best sari and jewelry. Delicious meals to share with friends and family were prepared.
    Decorations of painted feet at the doorway, wealth and prosperity was on its way in, Lakshmi; the Hindu goddess of Wealth and well being.    Read more

  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    Day 6

    Pushkar

    October 27, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Where to begin. Initially Pushkar was described in the brochure as a place where DIanne could get a camel ride. She has wanted to do that ever since I talked about my camel ride experience while on a layover in Dubai. My opinion of camels has been on the low side of the scale since that time.

    The Pushkar camel fair is an annual event like the Calgary Stampede. It is going to happen right after the festival of Diwali and preparations are well underway. Tents have been set up and grandstands ready to be erected. Combined with the lights and colours surrounding Diwali, this a happening place. It is also according to our local guide, the holiest site for Hindus.

    The Brahma Temple is here and Pushkar lake is a holy place to spread your ashes after you’ve passed. Our guide brings us through the temple and down to the lake. His dissertation as we go along is about all the good work that the Foundation is doing here. We are blessed by the lake in a small ceremony with ribbons around our wrists and red dots placed on our foreheads. I am given a small coconut to offer to Brahma. We say a prayer led by our guide. I can see this is all designed to get me in the spirit of giving. The suggested donation is 100 dollars, or if you really want to help, 300. In spite of all the prayers and mantras, ceremonies and blessings, I am feeling less generous. I don’t know what is wrong with me, but that is how it is. I have to be honest with myself. Dianne waits by the lake as I am told to take my coconut to the office and give it to the officer of gift management. Give the coconut, along with whatever my good karma will allow. Dianne is enjoying this small drama as it unfolds. She knows there is no danger of me feeling too generous and giving too much, and she is eager to find out how I am going to manage their expectations. I give my coconut to officer of gift managing, he looks at me expecting more. I open my man purse and produce a twenty. He responds. More. I respond. It’s all I’m willing to give. I turn and walk away. Dianne now wants a selfie by the lake. She gives me heck when I’m not generous with my smiles. I’m all smiled out just now.    Read more

  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    Day 6

    We meet Sultan!

    October 27, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Sultan our camel shows up with his handler, Emil. Sultan is harnessed to a two wheeled cart with fat tires. We elected this mode of travel after hearing the ride is about an hour long, and also confirmed that Dianne could ride atop of Sultan somewhere along the journey. We had been in the auto this morning for about 4 hours, and there is nothing that will convince you more that you had it easy than a ride in a camel cart.
    We are loaded in the back of the cart bumping along the road not more than 2 feet from Sultans tail. I remember Michelle describing a camel safari she took with Peter while on their honeymoon. The phrase she used was full flapper farts coming from this camel. Emil is holding Sultans tail close to where it joins his backside. That is how he steers him.

    After some time Emil suggests that I ride atop Sultan. I don’t really want to, and I suggest Dianne ride instead. Emil is insistent. I will ride. I hope that it is a language problem and still suggest Dianne ride. No! The thought of a woman riding atop while I, the male languished in the rear was too much for his delicate sensibilities. I rode Sultan. It was better than the last camel ride which ended with me being pitched over the front of the beast when it decided the ride was over and knelt down front first, like a camel does.
    We reach the halfway point and stop for a rest. Emil suggests now that we take a picture of Dianne sitting on Sultan while we are stopped. Dianne seems happy with this arrangement.

    On the way back Emil talks about Sultan and also about himself. We are interested in hearing about Emil’s life, but something that he says about Sultan really gets me thinking. He says Sultan will never take a wife. He says it’s because Sultan likes Baba. I’m smiling now thinking about Sultan and Baba, whoever or whatever Baba is.    Read more

  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    Day 6

    Camel Fair pics

    October 27, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    As soon as Diwali celebrations are finished the Camel Fair gets underway. A few more camels from everywhere; 20,000 in number show up to this tiny town. Tents, bathrooms, grandstands are being constructed. There is excitement all around.Read more

  • TravelerIndia, Nepal & Bhutan
    Day 7

    Elephant or jeeps?

    October 28, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Our first night in Jaipur was noisy. We are in day 3 of Diwali and the festival is going strong. Now the streets and homes are decorated with lights the fireworks begin...about 8pm and last for about 3 or more hours. Our hotel invited everyone down for a celebration which was a firework display. You could see and hear fireworks all around the city; the noise sometimes deafening.

    In the morning we went to see Amber (pronounced Ambeer) Fortress. Another fort built high on the hill. Cars are only allowed so far then you must choose other transportation or walk( not many chose the latter). Elephant or jeep We chose the Jeep because we have already ridden an elephant. The fortress itself is magnificent . It is surrounded by 15km wall. It was built in the 16th century by a Rajput commander..    Read more

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