Tuesday October 11, 2011

I have caught the dreaded bug. Don't know how I did it, but I've got it. Took the tablets my travel doctor gave me and wouldn't you know it, had an allergic reaction to them. But they did make me feel better. Lived on water and Bananas the whole day and now I am well again.

Deogarh was just an overnights stay on the way to Udaipur and I missed out the visit to the Kumbalgarh Fort, but I was too sick to care. I have to say something about the beds in my room. Only in Ushuaia in Argentina in the Boutique Lennox Hotel were the beds smaller than here. Idid not fall out of bed, but very nearly a couple of times!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

What I did not miss out on was the visit in Ranakpur to the Jain Temple. This temple was built in the 15th century and truly a sight to behold. It is made entirely from white marble. Not the translucent marble the Taj Mahal is made of, but ordinary white marble. I say ordinary - it was anything but.

There are 1444 pillars in this temple each carved in a different design. I have never in my life seen anything like it. Magnificent.

Lunch was on the way in the Maharani Bagh Resort Hotel. I shared my lunch with some chipmunks who thought it only right to come and steal my food. I was very happy to share with these cute little critters.

The road to Udaipur was dreadful, and I did not feel too good. My stomach was on strike, but when I saw the Sheraton Hotel I was more than happy. I had a delux lakeview room and it was 5 star luxury indeed. One of the features in this very comfortable room - only glass between the bathroom and the bedroom. The bed was heaven, Queen size again.

Thursday October 13, 2011

After a good breakfast I am ready for anything. There are two artificial lakes in Udaipur. I was staying "on the other one" no boat cruises. The palace, which is converted into a hotel was not on my lake. The owner, the current Maharadja still lives in part of the palace. There was a little museum which we visited and I must tell about this - to me - very funny incident. Udaipur is one of the very favourite places to visit for Indian people. There were groups and groups of them, enjoying the Museum. There is a small romm - and I mean a small room, not bigger than 3m by 3m where the actual body armour of the founding Maharadja (16th century) is diplayed. I had to wait for me and my guide to enter as the room seemed to be full. And then they came out. And they came out and they came out and more and more and still more. Must have been more than 40. How they all fitted in I never understand, but my guide told me - 25 in a Jeep - that's normal.

Had a boatride on the lake, which was very nice and coolish. Had a 20 minute stay on the Island, then back to the Hotel for a shower and then a glass of wine. Heaven!!

Friday October 14, 2011

Wakeup was at 4.30 for my flight to Delhi. I said Good Bye to my driver Mr Singh who looked after me so well. It was only a short flight and soon I was in the Park Hotel in Delhi. I was picked up by my guide for a sightseeing trip around the city, interesting but not to ne compared to other places. Had a beer at the poolside and then a most delicious fish dish in the Hotel.

Saturday October 15, 2011

Singapore. The last time I was here was in 1974. It has changes somewhat!!!! Singapore was unbearably hot and humid. And expensive. I stayed in the very nice Orchard Hotel and a beer at the bar in the foyer cost me $15 That was not a bottle, a draft beer. I walked arpound a bit but then was too tired and hot and had an early night.

Sunday October 16, 2011

I spent the day at the harbourfront. Took the Metro everywhere. Went up to the new Hotel that houses the Casino. It has 3 towers and across the top what looks like a boat. The pool is on the top. I then took the Metro again and went to Chinatown. There was a festival around the Hindu temple with literally hundreds of people. As they have to take the shoes off when entering the temple area, there were shoes everywhere. I had a large beer in one of the places advertising cheap beer! and then went home. Had a lovely seafood meal in one of the very nice and clean restaurants near the hotel. It was a lovely day, but I must say - I cannot honestly say that I love Singapore. It is a beautiful city, it is clean - but it feels sterile. No personality.

Monday October 17, 2011

My plane was leaving at 8pm so I decided to go and visit the Botanic Garden. I left early and walked there, only about 1km. The gardens are magnificent. After walking around for about an hour I was in trouble. The heat and humidity really got to me. I wanted to see the Orchid garden, but when I looked into it, the whole garden was in the sun. I would have died in there. I had late check out at the hotel, I still needed to pack, so I went back to my comfortable room and relaxed. Did the packing and left the hotel by 2pm. Spent the afternoon in the KrisFlyer lounge and then borded my plane, which was the 380. The seats do become real beds and it was a luxury indeed. Went through customs in 10 minutes as I had nothing to declare. I said the immigration officer: "This is the first time I've come back from a holiday and have nothing to declare" "How long did it take you?" she asked. "Only 35 years!" There comes a time in every travellers life when you don't need anything any more.

I arrived safe and sound and must honestly say - I loved India. A couple of things I would do differently - like leave the Taj Mahal for last. That really should be the crowning glory.

This has been a fantastic trip

Jhodpur day 2

My guide picked me up at 9am and we made our way to the Mehrangarh Fort. This Fort towers over the city and looks quite spectacular. On the way we visited the Mausoleum Jaswant Thada. As the Hindu people cremate their dead and scatter their ashes over the Ganges river, there are no cemetaries in India for Hindus. What they do have are Cenotaphs/Mausoleums to remember their dead. This was a particularly pretty one. Made entirely out of the same translucent marble the Taj Mahal is made of. It was built quite recently by a Maharani to remember her dead husband. When the current Maharadja dies, a memorial will be build on the grounds for him too.
This will be much smaller and on the right side of the original cenotaph.
I witnessed a conversation between an Indian Lady and an English couple. Asking if they liked India and in particular this region and the buildings, they said that after a while they (the buildings) all come together in one and they could not distinguish between them any longer. Asked where they had been, "Don't ask me - we wouldn't know, the names were unpronouncable, but we must rush, we only have 5 minutes here!"
I'm not making a comment - but why do they come?
We then drove the short distance to the Fort and nothing had prepared me for this.
The Fort is made from sandstone and it has the best filigree work I have ever seen in my life.
It has an excellent museum and I enjoyed every minute of my stay. I was so lucky to have such a good guide, his name is Batan, Oh gosh I hope I spelled that right, but he was GOOD!
Praise given where praise is due. So different from my guide in Sikri, who did not give a stuff and couldn't have cared less.
I am now back in my room in the very comfortable Hotel Ajit Bhawan, and I am glad I have time to collect myself and have a rest. On to Deogarh in the morning, roadcall is at 8am

Jhodpur

I had a couple of hours to myself after lunch and had a little rest. At 4pm my guide picked me up to take me on a tour and what a treasure he was! Very good sense of humour and a fountain of information. We went to the Umaid Bhawan Palace first, which is directly opposite from my very comfortable Hotel. Part of the Palace is still being used by the current Maharadja and his extended family, the rest is converted into a 5 star Hotel. Over 300 beds, but only 90 are in use. A nights stay in the Maharani Suite is about $3000
From the Palace we could see a new development iniciated by the Maharadja to built houses and apartments for Indian people. One of the houses, about 5 to 6 bedrooms and the same number of bathrooms, will set you back about $1.2 Million. The advertising drive is - "Live close to the Maharadja". Then came the exciting part. We went to the old town, to the markets.
Every trade has it's own street, the biggest and longest is the clothing section. I saw for shoes, kitchen utensils, herbs and spices, fruit and vegies, all around the clock tower. It was wonderful.
On the way to find our car and Mr Singh, I photographed the cows just lying in the street, with the traffic chaos all around them. And Indian traffic is noisy!!!! Mr Singh has one finger on the horn when he is driving. I think he would rather be without his brakes then without his horn!
I had dinner in the Hotel, something delicious vegeterian, had a large beer, then went to bed very happy and very tired.

The next morning Wednesday Oct 6th, we went to the Amber Fort. This is where I had my elephant ride. I had done it before in Thailand, but this time the elephant would bring me to the entrance of the Fort, which is perched high up on a hill. I had a wonderful guide in Jaipur.
One place we visited needs extra mention. I went to the Observatory. First I thought, what are we going there for? The place is brilliant. It has the largest sun dial or sun clock in the world. I was actually able to read the time, exact to the minute. It would be Heaven for an astronomer.
This place was built in the 18th century. Mind boggling!
From Jaipur we drove to Pushkar. Not one of my favourite places. It is to the Hindus what Mekka is to Muslims and I have no place in either one of them. My guide was not the best and I want to forget about this place as soon as I can. I don't think I ever prayed as much for protection of my soul as in Pushkar. 'nough said.
From Pushkar we drove to Khimsar Fort, which is heritage protected and beautiful. My room was 10m square, I kid you not, the bathroom was as big as my lounge room at home.
They were shooting a Bollywood movie and a funny thing happened. Well it was funny to me.
Lunch was included this day and I made my way up the the dining room. There was a lift and when the door opened, this absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous girl was standing in front of me. The look on her face - "Yes it is me, aren't you lucky!!" and all I said was 'Hello' I wouldn't know her from a bar of soap. Did not get a part as an extra either!
The next day, Oct 8th we travelled to Manvar.
Man, the road was bad. And when I say bad, I mean I have never travelled over anything like it by car. But Mr Singh is a good driver and he got us there savely.
Lunch was ready when we arrived - it was good, I really enjoy Indian food. Then I was given a room to relax and have a rest. At 4pm I was picked up for a Jeep Safari. A german couple joined me in the Jeep and as my german is not bad, we had a jolly good time. Saw a bit of the wildlife, like the Ginpara and some Gazelles. We watched the sunset and then were driven to our "Tented Camp" We each had a tent and it was luxury plus. I especially loved the shower. So cute. At 7.15 we met at the bar where I bought a beer, the very nice Kingfisher local beer, and then sat on a white mattress in the sand to watch the floor show. Beautiful dancers and very enthusiastic musicians. We were served nibbles whilst watching the show, so when dinner was called at nine, I was not really hungry. I sat with the german couples husband, as unfortunately his wife had caught a bad bug and was ill. Went to bed very, very happy. The bed was not the most comfortable I have ever slept in and the pillow, I don't know what was inside. It felt like a stone. But I did have a good sleep.
Wakeup call at 5.15 to go on a camel ride to see the sun rise over the camp. Again it was me and the german couple. After that breakfast, then back to the Hotel where Mr. Singh was waiting for me to drive us to Jhodpur. And here I am. Lucky me.

October 9th, 2011

I am in Jhodpur. This past week has been hectic to say the least. But I want to start at the beginning. I arrived in Delhi on October 2nd at 5 in the morning. I was picked up from the airport and met my driver Mr. Singh. I asked him what his name was and he said, you call me Mr Singh. He is a very nice chap, not much english, but we get by. I make him laugh a lot. He understands more than he speaks. He is a very good driver and I am lucky to have him. The traffic is unbelievable, several times I did say my prayers and expected the worst, but we survived every time. Saw a few bad accidents though. From Delhi I was taken straight to Agra to the very, very nice Jaypee Palace Hotel. What luxury. I had a female guide, she met us in Sikandra, a Fort on the way to Akra. We hit it off straight away and she suggested, instead of going into the Taj Mahal for Sunset, to go across the river and see it from there. We did and it was very special indeed. NO crowds and the Taj looks the same from all sides, except the pool in the front. Plenty of pictures were taken. The next morning I was picked up at 5.30 am for the sunrise at the Taj. I thought we would be inside, but they did not open the gates until well after the sun had risen. We now did all the things the tourists do and I had a ball. My guide knows her stuff, she had my camera most of the time, so I am actually in the pictures. One other good thing being there so early in the morning as well as in the season, there was NO pollution and the crowds were bearable.

Back to the Hotel for breakfast, then off to see the Agra Fort. From there we can see the Taj again in all it's glory.

On the way to Jaypur I visited Sikri and again it was a very nice building. But honestly, after the Taj Mahal, everything fades into the background. I was not very impressed with my guide.

We continued on to Jaipur, which is also called the Pink City as a lot of the buildings are painted pink or made out of pink sandstone. The most prominent one being the Hawa Mahal, the palace of the winds. Went to a small Museum to see armor and stuff like that and then to see artists at work. Could not resist to buy a couple of apintings. Very small ones! Had a look at the shops in the afternoon. Went to bed very tired but very happy.

To be continued.

Travel in 2011

This year I decided not to go on my usual long trip around the world. My shoulder is still bothering me and I have had a lot of excrutiating back pain. But I did decide to go on a short trip. As I had a lot of frequent flyer points, not enough for Europe, I had a look at the world map to see which place nearer to Sydney was on my 'Bucket list'.
India - the Taj Mahal.
And that is where I am going in October. The preperations were not without drama though.
I had planned to go with a friend and all was well. We planned our trip, paid for everything and then she had a fall and broke her leg in 3 places. That was 2 days ago. I am still going, but Trish is not able to. It will not be the same, as it is much nicer to share with a friend.
But - I am use to do things by myself. I will regularly update this in October.

Sydney, Australia September 2, 2010

Yes, I am home in Sydney. Whilst in Berchtesgaden my journey came to a quick and dismal end. I tripped and fell and broke my right shoulder in 3 places. I NEVER do things by half!! Spent 2 weeks in hospital - I was looked after very well - a couple of days again with my dear friends, then the l o n g flight home. Still don't know how I survived that. But the "Singapore Girls" really looked after me.
My friend Sarah took me to the Doctor this morning then a bit of shopping. Physio is starting on Monday. It will be a long haul and I do not even want to think about what lies ahead of me. There will be another operation in about a years time to remove the plate and screws which now reside in my body.
Being the eternal optimist I always try to see the bright side. I am so blessed to have so many friends who care about me. Sure, there are certain things I cannot do, but so many I can do. I can still write and receive eMails and I can lift the telephone. Calls are welcome!
As for Irene's World Travels in 2010 this journey has come to
THE END