Local Bollywood Talent

Please await the release of a Bollywood documentary on December 22, 2007 staring none other than film celebrity from Canada ( Campbell River in fact)..
Alan was interviewed during a visit to the home of the famous South Indian mathematical genius, Ramanujan. His work in the early 1900's on prime numbers laid the basis for many algorithms that are used in computer software today.
The film crew was delighted to have our impromtu visit. They saw a likeness of Harrison Ford in Alan and thought he would be a great contribution to their documentary. So Alan went bla bla bla.......and it is all on film. So perhaps we could have it in the CR Film Festival. We could set up a table for autographs.........or egg throwing???

So our trip takes many interesting turns from the temples, forts and castles to Bollywood Productions.

Got to go and see what is around the next corner.......

Pondicherry

Well we had our first rain in almost 2 months.Early morning but cleared by noon. The south of India is very different. Instead of taking pictures of ancient forts and palaces we are recording new construction and existing buildings of high tech IT and manufacturing plants.
Our voyage appears to be more relaxing and less photo intensive. We are beginning to sing Christmas carols in the car. Our driver, Pankaj really enjoys our Christmas spirit and our voices. In fact at his home in Kerala they erect a decorated tree due largely to the influence of many of his previous clients.

Had a relaxing 2 days on the Bay of Bengal at Mahabalipuram. We feasted on fish and seafood buffet and whiled away the day at the swimming pool.ing and strolling along the massive sand beaches.

Of course the south has outstanding ancient temples 200bc that are immense and represent unbelievable amounts of labour (hammer and chisel) forging monolithic temples out of solid granite hills.

Aurangabad

Had a wonderful tour of Delhi. Left being quite impressed with the green space and the modern metro. They are preparing for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The new airport will be one of the world's most modern. An aside we were thoroughly astounded at the new Hindu temple complex completed in the last five years. Immense and very artistic.

We flew yesterday afternoon from Delhi to Aurangabad. Enjoyed a swim and steam bath in our hotel's sports facility. If we had more time here we would have been able to partake in badminton, squash, yoga, tennis but no golf. A beautiful and comfortable hotel stay.

Today we visited the Ellora and Ajanta Caves. Spectacular comes to mind. The caves date back to 200 BC. They have carved massive monolithic temples and monasteries out of volcanic rock. One is so large it is twice the size of the Parthenon in Athens. Quite a feat considering the work was accomplished with hammers and chisels. India never fails to amaze us.

We travelled through cotton fields visiting a cotton ginny with mountains of raw cotton. The road was littered with white fluffy balls of cotton. Very different for us.

Heading to Mumbai tomorrow afternoon on the express train to begin the last leg of our travels covering South India.

Bye for now.

In the Heart

In the heart of the remote and enchanting valleys of India, skirting many rivulets and enveloped in the solitude of the surrounding forests, many villages and towns open their treasure chests of exotic sights and scenes to us.

The below photos have been taken in the last few days. so see if you can correlate the photos to our itinerary.
Bye for now.

Monkey Business

Permutations

November 7

The permutations of variables (availability, speed, inspiration) make additions to our blog site very difficult.
Since the Taj Mahal we have been treated to some of the most spectacular forts, castles and palaces in our travels. They defy description. Many of them were our accomodation. In Bundi we stayed at a heritage resort that was where Lord Mountbatten stayed with his friend and owner Maharaj Balbhadra Singh.
We are beginning to feel like Maharina and Maharaj Todd. Now we want marble floors and statues at our home. More reno's for Alan, but will probably settle for a persian rug....

It is the harvest season in Rajasthan and the roads are crowded with loaded camels carrying straw, oxen pulling carts laden with sugar cane, and beautifully clothed women balancing incredible loads on their heads. We women have it easy in Canada, I will never again complain about doing laundry. (at least for a week)

At our heritage hotels we have been treated to ethnic Raj music and dance. Swords in their mouths and firepots on their heads as they twirl and ring bells attached to their clothing. The colours of their dresses and jewels are a feast for the eyes, not to mention the beauty of the women themselves.

Hard to believe it is into November as the temperature is @ 30'C during the day but cool in the evening. We have been fortunate not to have too many mosquitoes. Have no concerns for malaria.

The last 2 weeks have been festival times here and there is always fireworks at night. BANG BANG, FLASH.

We enjoy your comments on our blog and email keep them coming.

We are presently in Jodhpur, arrriving here this afternoon for 2 nights. Looking forward to a buffet dinner specially prepared for this evening. As we are blogging there are fireworks bursting overhead.

Bye for now.

more Raj

Continued

A day on the road in Rajasthan

Scenes from Rajasthan