Been having troubles with the blog over the last couple of days. Sorry about that- Nov 14th blog has dropped off!!! Hopefully this one (our last) will upload correctly!
Up early and on the bus at 5:45am on the way to the airport, fingers crossed that we get to fly! Got the OK and airborne around 7:20! A beautiful đay
for an airplane ride.....the Himalayan Range is quite spectacular and it was a treat to see Mt. Everest.
After breakfast to the stupa for some last minute shopping and looking around then back to the Hotel for
some R and R.
Farewell dinner at a Nepalese style restaurant and then home to bed.
Heading to the airport around 12:30pm for a flight to Delhi. We have an 8hr wait at the Delhi airport before catching our flight to NY!!!!! Oh fun!!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Friday 16th- And Do We Love Kathmandu!!!!
Leisurely breakfast then onto the bus for a tour of some sights of the City.
Streets are crowded as they were in India, and there is still lot of garbage on the sides of the roads, however, doesn't seem as dirty as India.
First stop was to a temple known as the "Monkey Temple" which is said to be over 2000 years old and one of the world's most fabulous Buddhist Temples. This Temple sits at the top of a high hill and commands a spectacular view of the valley below.
Next was Durbur Square.....watched how a Nepalese laundromat works! Then to a pagoda that was thought to have been built from one tree. From there to the Temple of Kumari where the Living Goddess, the Kumari, lives (She is about 7yrs old)!?!
Lunch in the Square...some shopping and then on to a Buddhist Museum. Ended the tour with stops at two of the most important Temples.......the most sacred of all Hindu Temples in Nepal on the bank of the Bagmati River. More bodies being cremated! Again, kinda sad and kinda gruesome....... and then to the world's largest Buddhist Temple situated a short walk from our Hotel. Lots of shops around the stupa (Temple).
Back to the Hotel, a drink and hot tenderloin sandwich in the Lobby Bar and then to bed. Early wake up call (5am) ...... We are taking a plane ride over Everest (weather permitting).
Streets are crowded as they were in India, and there is still lot of garbage on the sides of the roads, however, doesn't seem as dirty as India.
First stop was to a temple known as the "Monkey Temple" which is said to be over 2000 years old and one of the world's most fabulous Buddhist Temples. This Temple sits at the top of a high hill and commands a spectacular view of the valley below.
Next was Durbur Square.....watched how a Nepalese laundromat works! Then to a pagoda that was thought to have been built from one tree. From there to the Temple of Kumari where the Living Goddess, the Kumari, lives (She is about 7yrs old)!?!
Lunch in the Square...some shopping and then on to a Buddhist Museum. Ended the tour with stops at two of the most important Temples.......the most sacred of all Hindu Temples in Nepal on the bank of the Bagmati River. More bodies being cremated! Again, kinda sad and kinda gruesome....... and then to the world's largest Buddhist Temple situated a short walk from our Hotel. Lots of shops around the stupa (Temple).
Back to the Hotel, a drink and hot tenderloin sandwich in the Lobby Bar and then to bed. Early wake up call (5am) ...... We are taking a plane ride over Everest (weather permitting).
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Thursday 15th - Varanasi and Kathmandu
Wake up call at 5:00am and Joyce on the bus at 5:30, enroute back to the River Ganges. Gail stayed behind to nurse her cold.
Big traffic jam so we had to bail out of the bus and take an approximate 20 minute walk to the River's edge. Got into a boat same as the one we were in the previous evening and went for a "cruise" on the river.
Watched the sun come up over the horizon ....... gorgeous! The reflection on the water was beautiful.
Were rowed past the crematorium where the ashes from the previous evening were being gathered up, making things ready for today!! Kinda sad and kinda gruesome.
Watched many taking baths in the River....cleansing (?) themselves prior to prayers!
The walk back to the bus was an experience in itself....... so early in the morning and a "people" jam!!!!! Again, buses, motorcycles, tuck-tucks, cows......you name it!
Back to the Hotel, breakfast and then onto the bus for a short ride to the airport. Our Guide took care of the luggage, boarding passes, etc. ....nice! The flight to Kathmandu was short and uneventful. And then there was the Airport!!!!!! Oh my Gawd, what a nightmare!!! Fill out an Immigration entry form, line up to pay Visa fee, get into another line up to get Visa (four planes landed all around the same time!!), people, people, people..... then off to get baggage.
Kathmandu from the air nothing as expected......it's a BIG city!!! Almost 2 million people! Saw the Himalayas from the air which was nice. Picked up a local Nepalese Guide at the airport.
Hotel is spectacular! Late dinner and then to bed!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Khajuraho - Tuesday, Nov. 13th
Happy Diwali everyone! And a big hello to you Saroj....we're thinking of you today!!
On the bus for a tour of the famous erotic temples - built between the mid 10th and 12th century. The 22 of originally 85 temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life!!!!!
Gail chose to stay pool side, nursing her sore throat, and indulging in a manicure! Time was also spent purchasing a camera...a disposable one that the non-English speaking shop keeper and 1/2 dozen others tried out to ensure it was working (using up 6 of the 24 pictures of the film)!?!?! When Gail took it pool side, it wouldn't work so she took it back for a refund!!!! So much for that sale!!
Joyce took in the tour to the temples then left the bus and joined Gail at the pool. Spent the afternoon soaking up the sun and having some "down" time!
Was able to "fit in" a facial too.
Great dinner and then joined the rest of our group for a "fireworks" display put on for our benefit by the Hotel. Then off to see a show of dancing and singing. We were very impressed with both events. Was really a great evening.
Fireworks still going off in the city and will likely continue for most of the night. Hope we can get to sleep?!
On the bus for a tour of the famous erotic temples - built between the mid 10th and 12th century. The 22 of originally 85 temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life!!!!!
Gail chose to stay pool side, nursing her sore throat, and indulging in a manicure! Time was also spent purchasing a camera...a disposable one that the non-English speaking shop keeper and 1/2 dozen others tried out to ensure it was working (using up 6 of the 24 pictures of the film)!?!?! When Gail took it pool side, it wouldn't work so she took it back for a refund!!!! So much for that sale!!
Joyce took in the tour to the temples then left the bus and joined Gail at the pool. Spent the afternoon soaking up the sun and having some "down" time!
Was able to "fit in" a facial too.
Great dinner and then joined the rest of our group for a "fireworks" display put on for our benefit by the Hotel. Then off to see a show of dancing and singing. We were very impressed with both events. Was really a great evening.
Fireworks still going off in the city and will likely continue for most of the night. Hope we can get to sleep?!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Mon., Nov 12th. Leaving Agra enroute to Khajuraho.
Joyce still with a cold, congestion and laryngitis .... coughed a lot in the night and now Gail is starting to cough and sneeze!! Great!! Unfortunately, Gail and Joyce sharing a room which is mot good when cold germs are floating around!!! Hope we both shake these before too long.
Early morning breakfast and on the bus at 7:15am for a short ride to the train station. Told we had reserved seating, and that we had 5 mins for folks to disembark and for us to get on board. Train does NOT hang around the station!!!! Well, our group and a gazillion others HAD to get on in that period of time. With our carry-ons and some with larger suitcases. Our checked luggage put in the baggage car (we hope)! Pushing, shoving, you name it but we all made it on, knowing another challenge was coming up when we HAVE to get off in that same period of time when we arrive at our destination!!
Couldn't see much of the passing countryside....the windows were too dirty!! The washroom on board indescribable!!
Getting off the train proved to be easy! Nobody waiting to get on!! A short bus trip to Orchha and the Jehangir Mahal. A nice lunch and then a l-o-n-g bus ride (6 hrs) to Khajuraho where we will be spending tonight and tomorrow night.
The road to Khajuraho. Is bumpy and crowded with tuck-tucks, motorcycles, cows, buses and people!! There is a centre line but doesn't seem to mean much! Passing lots of OVER crowded buses and other forms of transport. Lots of horn honking (it's the law...you must honk when passing!!)! Had 3 hrs of night-time driving on this crazy road....3 hrs. to go 60 some km!!
Diwali starts tomorrow so expect lots of noise.....firecrackers, parades, ?????
So far we have had wonderful weather....blue sky and lots of sun.The temperature range has been highs of around 29C to lows of 14C.
Well bed time so will sign off now. We had a hot scotch to sooth our throats so, all is good...we hope!!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Agra - November 11th
Happy Remembrance Day to all our family and friends!!! No acknowledgement about the day here at all.....not even from our American friends on the tour!! Bummer!!
An early start to what has turned out to be an eventful day. The Taj Mahal is truly wonderous!!! Lots of pictures.....unfortunately one of our tour members was going to take a picture of Gail with her camera and dropped it.......it is broken!!! Yuk!!! Kind of put a damper on Gail's day to say the least.
Joyce's cold/chest congestion was worse so, reluctantly, with the advice of a doctor traveling with us, has started a course of antibiotics!!!! (ones brought from home "just in case")!!
We took in a couple of other sights today.....Joyce missing one of them, choosing to sit on the bus in the sun and maybe snooze!!!
High tea with a delightful Indian family tonight. We were served tea, samosas and Indian snacks. Our host's home was lovely and the "neighborhood" they live in was all decorated up for Diwali which starts on Tuesday 13th.
Up early tomorrow to catch a train to Jhansi.
An early start to what has turned out to be an eventful day. The Taj Mahal is truly wonderous!!! Lots of pictures.....unfortunately one of our tour members was going to take a picture of Gail with her camera and dropped it.......it is broken!!! Yuk!!! Kind of put a damper on Gail's day to say the least.
Joyce's cold/chest congestion was worse so, reluctantly, with the advice of a doctor traveling with us, has started a course of antibiotics!!!! (ones brought from home "just in case")!!
We took in a couple of other sights today.....Joyce missing one of them, choosing to sit on the bus in the sun and maybe snooze!!!
High tea with a delightful Indian family tonight. We were served tea, samosas and Indian snacks. Our host's home was lovely and the "neighborhood" they live in was all decorated up for Diwali which starts on Tuesday 13th.
Up early tomorrow to catch a train to Jhansi.
Good bye Jaipur - Hello Agra, Sat., Nov. 10th
Today was pretty well spent on the bus, heading from Jaipur to Agra. The day was a beautiful one....sunny and warm (too bad we're on an air-conditioned bus instead of sitting around a Hotel pool or walking beside the Lake)!!!
Joyce woke up with a head cold and sore throat! Devouring lozenges and Vitamin C.
Neither of us getting much sleep, Gail especially......the Malaria pills she is taking (once a week for 8 weeks) is giving her insomnia. Her mild sleeping pills aren't doing the job!!
Had a stop enroute to our Hotel at the Lost City, built in the 16th century, abandoned after 11 years and discovered by British soldiers on a hunting trip in 1930. Kim, we did see and get an explanation of the "wind palace"!!!! A harrowing hour plus ride from the Lost City to our Hotel in Agra followed. Seems we do a lot of traveling on single lane roads, however, the traffic is moving both ways!!!
So much poverty, so much garbage on the sides of the roads, a great mosquito attraction!! And the begging is really awful....women with babies who look half dead, little kids!!!! You name it.
Joyce to bed EARLY (after hotel staff made her a special pot of tea and sent a hot water bottle to the room) to try to shake the cold.....Gail shortly after. Tomorrow an early start to visit the Taj Mahal!!
Joyce woke up with a head cold and sore throat! Devouring lozenges and Vitamin C.
Neither of us getting much sleep, Gail especially......the Malaria pills she is taking (once a week for 8 weeks) is giving her insomnia. Her mild sleeping pills aren't doing the job!!
Had a stop enroute to our Hotel at the Lost City, built in the 16th century, abandoned after 11 years and discovered by British soldiers on a hunting trip in 1930. Kim, we did see and get an explanation of the "wind palace"!!!! A harrowing hour plus ride from the Lost City to our Hotel in Agra followed. Seems we do a lot of traveling on single lane roads, however, the traffic is moving both ways!!!
So much poverty, so much garbage on the sides of the roads, a great mosquito attraction!! And the begging is really awful....women with babies who look half dead, little kids!!!! You name it.
Joyce to bed EARLY (after hotel staff made her a special pot of tea and sent a hot water bottle to the room) to try to shake the cold.....Gail shortly after. Tomorrow an early start to visit the Taj Mahal!!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Jaipur, Friday Nov. 9th
A beautiful day......on the bus at 7:30am for a short ride to the base of the Amber Fort. Took an elephant ride up a ramp to the entrance of the fortress with sprawling courtyards and halls. The surrounding area was absolutely gorgeous!! A gazillion people trying hard to "hawk" their wares everywhere we turned so we tried very hard NOT to turn!!!! Very aggressive to say the least!!
Next stop was the obligatory (on a tour) jewelry store -------a demo of cutting/polishing/setting of gems. Some xvery nice pieces but we left it all in the show cases. Next was a textile factory/store. Block printing/rug knotting, etc.
Lunch and then, on to the Jantat Mantar which is an Astronomical Observatory. From there, a walk to the City Palace (Pink Palace), a complex of exquisite gardens, palaces and courtyards and a lot of history.
Drinks with some of our fellow travelers, dinner and then to bed! Tomorrow morning heading to Agra.
Next stop was the obligatory (on a tour) jewelry store -------a demo of cutting/polishing/setting of gems. Some xvery nice pieces but we left it all in the show cases. Next was a textile factory/store. Block printing/rug knotting, etc.
Lunch and then, on to the Jantat Mantar which is an Astronomical Observatory. From there, a walk to the City Palace (Pink Palace), a complex of exquisite gardens, palaces and courtyards and a lot of history.
Drinks with some of our fellow travelers, dinner and then to bed! Tomorrow morning heading to Agra.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
The Road To Jaipur. Thursday, Nov. 8th
Another great breakfast and then onto the bus for a 270km drive to Jaipur (took 7 plus hours)!
Our route took us past miles and miles of areas reflecting the poverty here in India. As we drew nearer to Jaipur, the view from our bus changed.....deserty but some well tended farmland areas plus a mountainous range (actually, more a rolling hills range). Shared the road with cows, pigs, goats, sheep, camels and monkeys!!!!!!
Our Hotel is across from a Lake, again very pleased with our accommodations.
Took in the night market in the Pink City. Masses of people, sharing the sidewalk with "sacred" cows!!!
Our senses had enlivened with the smells and sounds!!
Back at the Hotel for dinner. It is now 11pm and we have a 6:15am wake up call!!
Our route took us past miles and miles of areas reflecting the poverty here in India. As we drew nearer to Jaipur, the view from our bus changed.....deserty but some well tended farmland areas plus a mountainous range (actually, more a rolling hills range). Shared the road with cows, pigs, goats, sheep, camels and monkeys!!!!!!
Our Hotel is across from a Lake, again very pleased with our accommodations.
Took in the night market in the Pink City. Masses of people, sharing the sidewalk with "sacred" cows!!!
Our senses had enlivened with the smells and sounds!!
Back at the Hotel for dinner. It is now 11pm and we have a 6:15am wake up call!!
First Full Day in India (Wed., Nov. 7th)
After a wonderful sleep (at last) and a sumptuous buffet breakfast, we left the Hotel for a day of taking in the sites of Delhi.
We started the tour with a drive through various neighborhoods and then went for a rickshaw ride through a market area in Delhi.......sidewalks and streets streaming with cars, buses, rickshaws and pedestrians!!
We visited a number of temples and monuments including Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at the site of his cremation, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque.....it is considered one of the world's loveliest houses of worship. Visited a UNESCO World Heritage site - the world's tallest free standing Mineret. Saw many other sites, one of which was the Parliament Buildings which had a whole slew of Canadian flags flying alongside the Indian flags.....Turns out that Mr. Harper is/was in the country!!!
We ended our long day at a Restaurant where we were served samples of many different Indian dishes......most of which were very tasty!
Back to the Hotel to pack up -- we have an early morning start, enroute to the city of Jaipur. Spent a bit of time checking out the US election result on CNN before turning out the lights for bed.
We started the tour with a drive through various neighborhoods and then went for a rickshaw ride through a market area in Delhi.......sidewalks and streets streaming with cars, buses, rickshaws and pedestrians!!
We visited a number of temples and monuments including Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at the site of his cremation, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque.....it is considered one of the world's loveliest houses of worship. Visited a UNESCO World Heritage site - the world's tallest free standing Mineret. Saw many other sites, one of which was the Parliament Buildings which had a whole slew of Canadian flags flying alongside the Indian flags.....Turns out that Mr. Harper is/was in the country!!!
We ended our long day at a Restaurant where we were served samples of many different Indian dishes......most of which were very tasty!
Back to the Hotel to pack up -- we have an early morning start, enroute to the city of Jaipur. Spent a bit of time checking out the US election result on CNN before turning out the lights for bed.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Safe landing in Delhi!!!
Left NY Monday 5th at 3:00pm (local time) and arrived in Delhi at 3:00pm on Tuesday 6th (again, local time)! India is 10-1/2 hours ahead of NY (13-1/2, Vanc).
It was a full flight, complete with the requisite number of fussy kids (1 in particular sitting beside us)!! Not much sleep was had during the flight!!
Met up with our group at the airport and were pleased to find we number no more than 24, Gail and I being the only Canucks.
The hour plus drive from the brand new airport was in rush hour 'crept no one was "rushing"!! Drove by VIP homes, beautifully landscaped gardens and the odd embassy enroute. Very nice.
Our Hotel in Delhi is spectacular -- VERY posh!! We have a large viewing window beside the tub in the bathroom looking into the bedroom/sitting room. Comes complete with a blind with the option of, of course, up or down!! The elaborate mini bar is well stocked with premium scotch, etal!
We're exhausted.....in bed at 8pm ------tomorrow is going to be a full day starting at 8:30am. We'll keep you posted.
It was a full flight, complete with the requisite number of fussy kids (1 in particular sitting beside us)!! Not much sleep was had during the flight!!
Met up with our group at the airport and were pleased to find we number no more than 24, Gail and I being the only Canucks.
The hour plus drive from the brand new airport was in rush hour 'crept no one was "rushing"!! Drove by VIP homes, beautifully landscaped gardens and the odd embassy enroute. Very nice.
Our Hotel in Delhi is spectacular -- VERY posh!! We have a large viewing window beside the tub in the bathroom looking into the bedroom/sitting room. Comes complete with a blind with the option of, of course, up or down!! The elaborate mini bar is well stocked with premium scotch, etal!
We're exhausted.....in bed at 8pm ------tomorrow is going to be a full day starting at 8:30am. We'll keep you posted.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Farewell to the Big Apple
Sunday ...... The day of the non-marathon - a bright, crisp, sunny but cool day - gorgeous!!!!!
Brunch at the NYAC with Joyce's niece and young nephew. Beth showed us pictures of the devestation in her neighborhood in Harrison, a suburb of NYC ....... Wow!!!! She still has no telephone, no cable TV!!
Mad dash from brunch to catch a matinee on Broadway. Saw, don't laugh, Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark. Was excellent!!!! We were both very impressed with the costumes, the set designs and the athleticism of the actors......they were amazing ...... "Spidey" flew up and over the audience quite a bit...we even got "netted" (is that a word?) in webbing in one of his fly pasts,
From there, a pilgrimage to the Waldorf Astoria for a martini. Uke to all of our Chelsea friends!! (ps to the NY group....the martini's have increased in price by $4 ---- yikes)!
Dinner was at Marseille's - remember the big oval table NY group? Dinner was scrumptious --- thank goodness we had about 20 blocks to walk back to our hotel.
Wow- it's just 10 pm and we are in bed!!
On our way to India tomorrow. Will post again in a day or two.
Brunch at the NYAC with Joyce's niece and young nephew. Beth showed us pictures of the devestation in her neighborhood in Harrison, a suburb of NYC ....... Wow!!!! She still has no telephone, no cable TV!!
Mad dash from brunch to catch a matinee on Broadway. Saw, don't laugh, Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark. Was excellent!!!! We were both very impressed with the costumes, the set designs and the athleticism of the actors......they were amazing ...... "Spidey" flew up and over the audience quite a bit...we even got "netted" (is that a word?) in webbing in one of his fly pasts,
From there, a pilgrimage to the Waldorf Astoria for a martini. Uke to all of our Chelsea friends!! (ps to the NY group....the martini's have increased in price by $4 ---- yikes)!
Dinner was at Marseille's - remember the big oval table NY group? Dinner was scrumptious --- thank goodness we had about 20 blocks to walk back to our hotel.
Wow- it's just 10 pm and we are in bed!!
On our way to India tomorrow. Will post again in a day or two.
Saturday in New York City
Arrived safely early Saturday morning after a marathon sprint through the San Francisco airport to catch our connecting flight (our plane from YVR arrived early but unable to get to gate due to big delays in departing planes)!!! which cut drastically into our connecting time. Yikes!!
Speaking of marathons.....a "gazillion" of disappointed athletes here in NY city from all over the world - Sunday's marathon is cancelled!
We walked a marathon ourselves......lots of looking, no buying (unless underwear counts)?!?
Noticed the sidewalks are alive with people in Manhattan ....not many buses but LOTS of taxis!!!! Union Square park being used as a "staging" area of hydro utility trucks from all over the US and Canada. Gas is being severely rationed.....long, long, long, long line ups to get gas!!!
Had a wonderful Italian dinner with, of course, some obligatory great wine! Collapsed in our beds at 8 pm.
Up early this morning (Sunday) ready for another day in the Big Apple. The weather here crisp, clear and cold!!!
Will post again before leaving for India tomorrow (Monday).
Speaking of marathons.....a "gazillion" of disappointed athletes here in NY city from all over the world - Sunday's marathon is cancelled!
We walked a marathon ourselves......lots of looking, no buying (unless underwear counts)?!?
Noticed the sidewalks are alive with people in Manhattan ....not many buses but LOTS of taxis!!!! Union Square park being used as a "staging" area of hydro utility trucks from all over the US and Canada. Gas is being severely rationed.....long, long, long, long line ups to get gas!!!
Had a wonderful Italian dinner with, of course, some obligatory great wine! Collapsed in our beds at 8 pm.
Up early this morning (Sunday) ready for another day in the Big Apple. The weather here crisp, clear and cold!!!
Will post again before leaving for India tomorrow (Monday).
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
New York here we come!?!?
Hello everyone! Wish us luck, we're about to embark on the first leg of our trip which may turn out to be the most challenging!!! Heading for New York Friday evening and if all goes well and we get there(?!?!!), will spend the weekend and then will be leaving from JFK on Monday afternoon on our way to Delhi!!!
Please bare with us ....... This is Gail and my first attempt at "blogging" . Will attempt to post something every day or two.
Please bare with us ....... This is Gail and my first attempt at "blogging" . Will attempt to post something every day or two.
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