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October - November 2019 Read more

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Day 20
Tuesday, October 22, 2019 at 9:22 AM
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 15 m
India Arpora 15.54536, 73.7568415°32’43” N 73°45’25” E
Goa
October 22, 2019 in India ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Portuguese settled here in the 16th century. Today it's mostly a tourist beach destination with outrageously good seafood.
The 1st pic is of one of the many beaches here. We had rain most of our time here. So this was the only day on the sand. Next is one of the local churches, followed by Aruda Fort, one of the early Portuguese fortifications. 4&5 are of the Stone Temple. Last is a typical street scene.Read more
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Day 22
Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 2:46 PM
🌧 25 °C
Altitude: 15 m
India Old Goa City 15.50218, 73.9119815°30’8” N 73°54’43” E
Old Goa
October 24, 2019 in India ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
An original settlement for the Portuguese. First is the viceroy's arch, the main entry to the settlement. Next are three of the old churches. In the 4th, the building to the left is a Pastoral Institute that seems to contain a number of diocesan offices. Next is in the cathedral (2nd pic) with the gold altar piece. Last is a look at some of the local vegetation.Read more
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Day 23
Friday, October 25, 2019 at 5:10 PM
🌧 26 °C
Altitude: 468 m
India Malavanta Raghurāthaswāmi 15.32467, 76.4882715°19’29” N 76°29’18” E
Malyavanta RaghunathaTemple, Hampi
October 25, 2019 in India ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Another temple located a bit away from the main part of the city. First is the gate. Then the main courtyard. Third is more of the buildings. 4th are 2 of the priests who are part of the team who have been continuously chanting 24/7 for over 7 years now. 5th is an upper temple on the hill. The last looks from the temple over some of the agricultural area. The irrigation system in use is from the 14th century and still functioning as designed.Read more
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Day 24
Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 10:20 AM
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 424 m
India Pampapatiswāmi Gudi 15.33529, 76.4586215°20’7” N 76°27’31” E
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
October 26, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
One of many Hindu temples here. 1st is a long look over the temple. The large tower to the right is the gate. Next is the main courtyard. 3rd is the temple elephant who lives to the left of the previous picture. The elephant is decorated for it's role in temple activities. The rest are details of some of the buildingsRead more
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Day 24
Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 10:55 AM
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 427 m
India Kamalāpuram 15.31972, 76.4697815°19’11” N 76°28’11” E
Royal Center, Hampi
October 26, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Seat of king's from the early 14th century to the mid 16th century when they were defeated and much of Hampi was razed. So some of what you see is a reconstruction.
1st is a palace gate. 2nd is the foundation of the Queen's palace. Most of the buildings were wood above the foundations. Next is the Lotus Temple and summer residence for the queen. 4th is the elephant stables for the royal elephants. Each of the 11 stall is different inside. 5th are some of the carvings recovered during archaeological excavations. Last is a detail of a wall.Read more
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Day 25
Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 4:23 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 734 m
India Mysore Airport 12.30453, 76.6545412°18’16” N 76°39’16” E
Mysore Palace
October 27, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Home of the royal family of this region. The current building was built around the turn of the past century. The previous palace was wooden and burned down near the end of the 19th century.
The 1st picture is a main courtyard inside the palace, while the 2nd is of 2 of the 10 bronze lions around the grounds. 3rd is the audience hall. 4th is the wedding hall that can only be used by royals. 5th are some of the gardens, and last is the golden howdah, or elephant chair where the king would ride during festivals.Read more
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Day 26
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 9:06 AM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 969 m
India Chāmundi 12.27815, 76.6777212°16’41” N 76°40’40” E
Mysore
October 28, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Another ancient royal seat. The 1st picture looks over the city from atop a sacred hill. The royal palace is visible in the distance. Next is a gate. 3&4 look at the Royal palace in day and in the evening (see another post). 5&6 are at a temple. First is the gate and second is the temple shine out for a procession for Diwali.Read more
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Day 26
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 1:26 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 828 m
India Jodu Kolli 12.43497, 75.9669712°26’6” N 75°58’1” E
Namdroling Monastery
October 28, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Large Tibetan Buddhist monastery, housing up to 5,000 monks and nuns. The photos are in the main temple, around the grounds and looking at the various buildings here
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Day 27
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 9:40 AM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 1,128 m
India Madikeri 12.42297, 75.7387912°25’23” N 75°44’20” E
Kochi fishing
October 29, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
As Kochi is on the coast of the Arabian Sea, fishing is an important industry. The first pic is of Chinese fishing nets first introduced by the Chinese and still used. These are dip nets, used when the invasive water hyacinth clears. Next are canoes used for a different style of fishing out in the bay and up to 10 km offshore. They use fine gill nets that are repaired daily. So there is liitle by kill as the netting breaks. The next 2 are at the fish auction. 1 is mahi mahi; the other is langosta.
Also in this area was the now destroyed Portuguese fort, and the wall is the 5th pic. A cannon is barely visible through the trees. Last are a couple of steamship steam boilers, set up as a monument to the era.Read more
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Day 27
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 984 m
India Madikeri 12.42291, 75.712912°25’22” N 75°42’46” E
Madakeri
October 29, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Major coffee growing area. The first two pictures are of the two main types of coffee: arabica and robusta. Then a scene and a sunset.
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Day 29
Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 9:15 AM
🌧 26 °C
Altitude: 6 m
India Chinese Fishing Nets 9.96855, 76.244339°58’7” N 76°14’40” E
Kochi
October 31, 2019 in India ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Seaside town most of the way down the west coast of India.
The first pic is the coronation room in the palace built for the local king by the Portuguese to get into his good graces. It was renovated by the Dutch and again by the British. Next are a couple of old cottages built by the British. A number of local movies were filmed here. 3rd is an old canoe, about 70 meters long from the 19th century used for races not unlike dragon boat races. Next is the remaining section of wall of the fortress built by the Portuguese and destroyed by the Dutch. Last is a picture of a local traditional dance.Read more
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Day 29
Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 9:48 AM
🌧 26 °C
Altitude: 15 m
India Chinese Fishing Nets 9.96667, 76.249°58’0” N 76°14’24” E
St. Francis Church, Kochi
October 31, 2019 in India ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Dating to 1503. Originally built by the Portuguese. Renovated by the Dutch and again by the British. Now an Anglican Church.
1st is the facade. 2nd is the narthex. 3rd is the babe. 4th is the chancel. 5th is the original grave of Vasco de Gama. (His remains are now at Lisbon.).Read more
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Day 31
Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 6:34 PM
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 11 m
India Mullaīkkalbhāgam 9.49649, 76.347499°29’47” N 76°20’51” E
Alleppey
November 2, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
The Venice of Kerala. On a house boat cruise ship into a shallow lake that has been dredged. The spoils were dumped locally, creating many man-made islands that are now inhabited.
All 6 pictures are various views of this area.Read more
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Day 33
Monday, November 4, 2019 at 10:18 AM
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 17 m
India Kanniyākumāri 8.0863, 77.549388°5’11” N 77°32’58” E
Kanyakumari
November 4, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
The very southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. The first pic looks out to vivkinenda rock with its memorial to Swami Vivikinenda, One of the important people In developing an Indian identity. This pic looks out to where the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean meet. 2nd is a closer look at the building on the rock. Unfortunately, no interior pictures were allowed. 3rd are some of the brightly painted fishing boats used by local fisherman. 4th looks back at the city from the Vivkinenda rock.Read more
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Day 34
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 2:44 PM
⛅ 33 °C
Altitude: 123 m
India Tallākulam 9.92956, 78.138229°55’46” N 78°8’18” E
Madurai
November 5, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
One of the oldest cities in India, and a former capital. The first pic is of the Ghandi Museum. 2nd is the banana street if the fruit wholesale market. Third is one of the 10 towers at the main Hindu temple here. 4th is a market lane, and 5th is a traditional cotton weaving shop.Read more
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Day 34
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 7:45 PM
🌙 28 °C
Altitude: 142 m
India Madurai 9.92543, 78.118419°55’32” N 78°7’6” E
Madurai street food
November 5, 2019 in India ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
An evening walking tour to sample some local street food. 1st is an egg paratha, bread, egg masala gravy and more, chopped together. 2nd are breaded and fried veggies. 3rd is a milk drink where they boil cow's milk with almonds. This is the seller cooling the concoction. 4th are rolls of rice (white) and millet (black). That have been steamed. They are usually served with sugar (like almost everything here). Coconut is added to the millet. 5th is a dosa shop. Dosas are similar to crepes, but larger and a but crunchy. They are served with various condiments for dipping. Last is sweet or savory fried dough with sugar or chillies and spices, respectively.Read more
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Day 35
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 14 m
India Mahabalipuram 12.61805, 80.1944512°37’5” N 80°11’40” E
Mamallapuram
November 6, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Small seaside town with 3 UNESCO world heritage sites. The first is the Shore Temple. (The other 2 UNESCO sites have their own posts.) The Shore Temple has become an iconic symbol of India, being used in their tourism advertising. The second is of the temple grounds with it's many bull statues. The bull is the animal associated with Shiva. Ergo, this is a temple dedicated to Shiva. The next looks back at the town from the Shore Temple grounds. 4th is the town's main street. Last is a look along the beach.Read more
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Day 36
Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 8:39 AM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 14 m
India Puducherry 11.93505, 79.8325111°56’6” N 79°49’57” E
Pondicherry
November 7, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Site of the French presence in India. The architecture is noticeably more European than most of what I've seen here. Yet, the Hindu is present too. The first picture is of the cathedral. The 2nd is of the temple elephant at the Hindu temple to Ganesh, the elephant headed God of good luck. Next are 3 looks at buildings around town. The last looks along the beach front.Read more
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Day 36
Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 12:24 PM
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 39 m
India Auroville 12.00392, 79.8012712°0’14” N 79°48’5” E
Auroville
November 7, 2019 in India ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
A community founded in the 1960s that might be called uptopian. It is dedicated to all people and seeks peace and self understanding. It rejects religions, focusing on concentration and meditation to seek the Divine within. It borrows from many spiritual traditions. There is no set schedule for practice so that each can be present when and as long as needed.
The first pic is the Matrimandir or central focus building. It includes a meditation hall, a lotus shape water element, and 12 meditation rooms. Next are the 12 attributes in their life to which they aspire. 3rd is along the walk toward the Matrimandir. As this isn't a tourist site, we aren't allowed any closer than a viewpoint. 4th looks at the amphitheater. The white structure in the center is a statue of a lotus blossom. Inside, during the dedication, they put soil from each of the nations and Indian states that participated in the founding of the town. Last is a longer view over the sacred geometry that is still under construction.Read more
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Day 37
Friday, November 8, 2019 at 6:53 AM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 9 m
India Mahabalipuram 12.61833, 80.1933312°37’6” N 80°11’36” E
Carved temple
November 8, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
This Hindu temple, dating to the 6th and 7th centuries, consists of several elements. Each of these elements is monolithic; they are each carved from a single rock.
First is the largest bas relief in the world in granite. It depicts parts of the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. Next are three of the temples dedicated variously to the Hindu Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. 5th is a natural formation called the Butterball. Last is a carved basin used for offerings.Read more
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Day 37
Friday, November 8, 2019 at 7:48 AM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 14 m
India Mahabalipuram 12.61167, 80.1866712°36’42” N 80°11’12” E
5 brothers, Mamalapuram
November 8, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Another world heritage site dating to the 6th and 7th centuries. This consists of 5 monolithic structures depicting another part of the Mahabharata. Of interest is the various architecture, reflecting Greek, Egyptian, Indian and even Roman elements. This had been the major port for this area at the time. Hence the presence of many cultures.Read more
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Day 37
Friday, November 8, 2019 at 2:48 PM
⛅ 33 °C
Altitude: 14 m
India San Thome Basilica 13.03333, 80.2783313°1’60” N 80°16’42” E
San Thome Church, Chennai
November 8, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Church built above the tomb of the Apostle Thomas. The first 4 pictures are of the main church. 5th is a small Eucharistic Chapel. Last is the tomb of St. Thomas.
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Day 38
Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 10:46 AM
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 512 m
India Alija Kotla 17.36167, 78.47517°21’42” N 78°28’30” E
Old Hyderabad
November 9, 2019 in India ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
The old part of the main city in this part of central India. Founded in the 16th century to be a new capital after Golconda (see another post). Apparently, there had been a problem with disease (maybe plague). So they moved.
The first two pics are Charimar from 2 angles. This is first structure built here and which defines the center of the new city. The upper levels are an open air mosque. The next looks down through so me of the city gates. 4th is one of the early mosques built around the central square. Last is a typical street scene.Read more
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Day 38
Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 12:08 PM
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 7 m
India Nwbv 16.53167, 80.6216°31’54” N 80°37’12” E
Golconda Fort
November 9, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Old capital, fort and palace, dating back over 1,000 years to when it was an earthen fort. The stone structure in these pictures replaced the earthen one in about the 14th century. The site is mostly ruins now and still remains an impressive site.
The fort had 3 complete surrounding walls, the outermost kilometers long. The 1st picture looks up at the fort from a distance. 2nd is the main gate. 3rd is of the barracks for some of the army stationed here. It is said there were at least 2,000 troops here. 4th is the armory. 5th looks over the city from the top level. If you can blow up the picture enough, you can just make out the top of the outer wall among the trees. Also, in the lower portion are more of the ruins within the fort/palace complex. The last is looking across the topmost level, where only the king and his VIPs got to hang out.Read more
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Day 49
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 4:51 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 1,194 m
India Kalimpong 27.065, 88.4683327°3’54” N 88°28’6” E
Kalimpong/Deolo
November 20, 2019 in India ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Another mountain town socked in by fog and clouds. 1st is the main Street in town. The other 3 look at the Deolo hills. In a couple, you can barely see some of what would be visible absent the haze.
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