June 30, 2005
Baby Elephant Introduction – Chitwan, Nepal
In Chitwan, we visited an elephant breeding center inhabited by spunky baby elephants and their mom's. This particular five month old took it upon herself to introduce herself. As you probably can tell she had both a streak of naughtiness and sense of humor.
Elephant Washing – Chitwan, Nepal
We were supposed to be washing the elephants in the river. What transpire was that we tried to sit on the elephants, while they tried to knock us off into the river. It was little scary playing with such a large creature, nevertheless a lot of fun.
June 26, 2005
Ghats – Ganges River, Varanasi, India
Varanasi is located on the bank of the sacred Ganges River. The river is one of the holiest places in India populated with numerous ghats. Hindu pilgrims come to bathe at the ghats - a ritual believed to washes away sins. While most of the ghats are used for bathing, there were several "burning ghats" where bodies are cremated. It's an auspicious place for Hindus to die, since expiring here offers moksha - liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Myself – Ganges River, Varanasi, India
Me releasing a floating candle down the Ganges River, I'm guessing it's was for good luck, but then again I'm not exactly sure of the meaning. Dawn is looking on.
June 24, 2005
“Rough” Camp– To Varanasi, India
Halfway between Khajuraho and Varanansi, we "rough" camped in a school yard. As you can see from the picture, we tend to attract a crowd where ever we go. Overall, it's a very symbiotic relationship; they provide us a place to camp and cook dinner, and we provide them with entertainment for the evening.
Rafique the “Cook” – To Varanasi, India
While in India, we hired a local Indian cook, Rafique (pictured in the center wearing a black t-shirt). His assistance alleviated a lot of our cooking duties and provided us with heaps of amazing and authentic Indian food, as well as allowed us more time to sightsee, swim and drink beers. We tried to extend his employment contract as truck cook all the way to Bangkok. However, he doesn't have a Visa to enter into Nepal, China, Laos, etc. and he refused to hide in the boot locker.
June 22, 2005
Swimming Pool – Orchha, India
Probably what I'll remember most about India will be the heat, and the subsequent monsoons, humidity and more heat. We've experienced a few days with 47 degrees C (115 degrees F) weather! It was the hottest weather that I've experienced while camping. Hotels with swimming pools and air conditioners were always welcomed and sought after, but not always available.
Pictured (l to r) is James, Sonja, Brendan, Beers, Andy and Jayne.
June 20, 2005
Taj Mahal – Agra, India
Yet another highlight of the trip!!!! We spent two hours meandering around the Taj's grounds, myself listening to my IPod and taking in the Taj's timeless beauty. Of course, I was only listening to love songs...just kidding...or maybe not...
The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died at childbirth in 1631. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
Group Photo – Agra, India
This group photo includes everybody participating in the India-Nepal leg of the trip, except for Richard. Richard was off doing his own thing. When we arrive in Katmandu, the six group members that joined us in Mumbai will be departing, along with JoAnna and Yumi, our two Canadians travelers.
June 19, 2005
TV and Movies – India
I found India music video channels and MTV-India to very hypnotic. MTV appears to be one of those international companies, like McDonalds, that knows how to modify their product according to the country's culture and a shrinking world.
I also saw my first "Bollywood" movie, Bunty aur Babli, in India with an all Hindu audience. What a great experience. I don't understand a word of Hindu, but I was able to get the essence of the movie just from the visuals. Granted during some parts of the movie, the movie looked more like a music video than a movie. One of my goals, when I return to the States is to add more "Bollywood" movies to my Netflick's list. Any suggestions?
One criticism of India's TV channels is that the "Cartoon Network" was dubbed in Hindi. Blasphemy!!
June 17, 2005
Tiger Safari – Rathambhore, India
As a group, we participated in two tiger safaris, one in the evening and the other during the following morning. During both safaris tigers where spotted. Luck was on our side, considering the park encompasses 1334 sq km and home to only 42 cats (32 adults and 10 cubs). During the evening safari, a young male tiger serendipitously appeared the road in front of our jeep. We were able to following it for a while before it decided to veered back into the brush. During the morning safari, a female lioness was sighted lying on the edge of a water hole, keeping cool.
Pictured (l to r) is myself, Yumi, Hazel and Bob.
Tiger – Rathambhore, India
This picture is of the lioness spotted during the morning safari. The picture was taken by Hazel Cant using her telephoto lens and digital camera. My camera's lens isn't powerful enough to capture such a picture.
June 15, 2005
Rickshaw Driver – Jaipur, India
We hired a group of rickshaws to transport us from the campsite to downtown. Sonja and I acquired the slowest rickshaw in the bunch. The driver was extremely frail and he was having a difficult keeping up with the rest of the rickshaws in the group. Instead of falling behind and becoming separated from the group, I decided take over the pedaling while the driver sat in back (see picture). We arrived at our downtown destination with the group.
June 12, 2005
Toilet Museum – Delhi, India
Yes, that's right...toilet museum!!! The museum houses a small but intriguing collection of toilet-related paraphernalia dating from 2500 BCE to the present day. The paraphernalia includes historical charts, diagrams, memorabilia, toilet models, timelines and toilet-themed moneyboxes.
The museum is part of a larger toilet research complex. The purpose of the research is to promote the use of toilets in rural communities and educate the communities about the alternative uses of the waste, such as compost and methane gas production for heat and cooking.
My Favorite Exhibit at Toilet Museum – Delhi, India
This toilet electronically zaps excrement into ash.
June 10, 2005
Myself & Tibetan Monk - McLeod Ganj, India
The best way I've heard India described...is that it is "an assault on all the senses" - ubiquitous poverty, odors of the garbage heaps, noise of traffic, the crowded streets, random cows, the heat, etc. One the other hand, the food is amazing and the landscape beautiful. It's taken sometime but India is beginning to grow on me. It's a country of contradictions - it's rich and poor, spiritual and material, cruel and kind, angry but peaceful, ugly and beautiful, and smart but stupid.
I just finished my second book on India -"Holy Cow" by Sarah MacDonald, an Aussie woman who comically narrates her sojourn in India. It's a quick read and captures India's nuances from a western perspective, while at the same time summarizes the various religions practiced in India. "Freedom at Midnight" by Lapierre and Collins was the first book I read. This book is more historical in nature and outlines India's independence struggle.
Tsuglagkhang Temple - McLeod Ganj, India
For only being in India slightly less than two weeks, I can say one thing religions in India are very prevalent and diverse. You can also probably tell this by the pics I've already posted. To give you a quick summary the four main religions are: Hinduism (82%), Islam (12%), Sikhism (2%), Buddhism (1%) and Jainism (1%). In addition, small Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrians communities also exist.
This picture of Buddha is from the Tsuglagkhang Temple and Complex. The complex comprises the official residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Similarly, the town where this complex is located is also the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in Exile. While the Dalai Lama was not in residence while were in town (he was traveling), we did get a little reprieve from the summer heat. The town is located in north India near the Himalayans at an attitude of 1770 meters. The town is frequent by many western travelers trying to meet the Dalai Lama and learn about Tibetan Buddhism. There are many Buddhist philosophy and meditation classes offered by institutes in town.
June 06, 2005
Golden Temple - Amritsar, India
The Golden Temple is the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion, the Vatican of Sikhism. We visited the Temple to witness a ceremony surrounding the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest book of the Sikh religion. Not know much about the ceremony itself, the experience was totally spiritual in nature, and the Sikh were extremely welcoming to us non-Sikhs who were just observing.
Truck Maintenance – Amritsar, India
As you might imagine, periodically, the overland trunk requires some routine maintenance. Pictured are Andy and Sonja, group leaders, working on the truck.
Truck Lunch – Amristar, India
The picture is taken from the inside of the overland truck during a lunch stop. Our lunch stops often draw quite the crowd. Imagine a large truck with 17 foreigners riding in the back with open sides randomly stopping along the roadside - on this particular day, we stopped in front of a Hindu Temple. Next the 17 people exit the truck, set-up lunch tables, assemble the cooking ware, prepare and eat lunch. Afterwards everything is cleaning up and put back of the truck, then we driving off. Typically this all occurs within one hour. Not something Indians - or for that matter most people - see everyday.
June 05, 2005
Camel Safari - Bikaner, India
While in Bikaner, a bunch of us participated in an overnight camel safari. We set-off into the desert on our camels in the late evening as the air temperature was cooling. Once arriving at the designated camping area, dinner was prepared by the safari's cook staff. After dinner and a few beers, we spent the night sleeping under the stars amongst desert wildlife (i.e. scorpions, snakes, bugs, etc.). Upon daybreak, breakfast was prepared, again by the safari's cook staff. After which we mounted our camels and headed back to the ranch, camel ranch that is. Overall, it was quite relaxing. The only negative the "camel" butt, the following day.
Morning of Camel Safari - Bikaner, India
Picture is of the group hanging out and relaxing before breakfast
Summer Heat – Bikaner, India
The heat in India at this time of year has taken some getting used to, especially experiencing mostly "spring-like" temperatures in the Middle East. The daily high temperatures have typically been exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As you can see, swimming pools are very welcomed.
I read somewhere "traveling in India during the summer is for the adventurous or ill-informed". I'm not sure if we qualify for either. The trip was purposely planned so that we cross the Himalayans in the overland truck in August when the snow should be at a minimum for the year. We'll be reaching attitudes of 5000+ meters. During the heat in India, we keep reminding ourselves of the expected upcoming freezing weather.
June 04, 2005
James & the Rat Temple – Deshnok, India
The Karni Mata Temple is one of India's more disconcerting temples. According to legend, Karni Mata, an incarnation of Durga, who lived in the 14th century, asked the God of Death, Yama, to restore to life the son of a grieving storyteller. When Yama refused, Karni Mata reincarnated all dead storytellers as rats, in order to deprive Yama of human souls, which were later incarnated as human beings.
The temple is an important pilgrimage site and what may seem unusual to Westerner eyes is devoutly believed by pilgrims - it isn�t a sideshow but a place of worship. The temple is filled with friendly rats. Check out the website: www.karnimata.com
June 02, 2005
"Blue City" - Jodhpur, India
Jodhpur is known as the "blue city". Traditionally, blue signified the home of a Brahmin, but these days, non-Brahmins have taken on the practice too. As well as glowing with a mysterious light, the color is thought to be an excellent mosquito repellent.
Ranakpur Tirtha – Mt. Abu, India
This temple is amongst the finest example of Jain Architect in India.
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