Oh my, this blogging is turning out to be frustrating. Another day was so incredibly full that here I am again, wide awake after just 3 hours sleep, sorting thru photos and trying to narrow the choice so I can give you a sense of what a fine experience we're having. My new plan is to minimize writing even more...and plan to get back to add the details (and errors correction) later. Sighhh. Is too much fun a good thing? Well, one highlight of the day came when Kenneth remarked he was glad he had come!!!! (Until now it was "to make Ann happy.")
The inauguration seems far away, but we did find this photo in the Taj Mahal Palace collection. Here he's with Mr. Tata, the Taj chain owner. I wore my Michelle Obama pin today.
We had such a challenge choosing what to do in our short stay in Mumbai. I hope to come back for a South India trip and stay longer. Of course today started with another awesome breakfast at the hotel (you'll have to see my Mac Books for those pix). Kenneth pointed out on our way back to the room that there's a 10' tall memorial plaque remembering the people who died in the 2008 attack. Lucy, the last name, was their watchdog.
But on to much happier things. India offers many choices of remarkable ancient caves. The big Hindu one on Elephanta Island is an hour's boat-ride from the hotel. Our guide came at 8:45 to lead us. What a terrific fellow he was. He explained he is Indian, though he looks east-Asian. His family comes from the Indian border with Burma (I had to look at the map again to figure that out).
The boat landing was next to India Gate, across from the hotel. Mumbaikers remarked that the weather had gotten chilly: we actually wore fleece on the way over. But by the time we returned it was HOT. Here's our little boat + the view back to the hotel from the boat:
Of course in this crazy small boat, with just about a dozen other Americans among the tourists on it, the man sitting across from me went to my Oak Park, Illinois high school just a few years after I left! The trip to the island was smooth, with a pleasant breeze. Greeting us at the landing were vendors with tables of favorite Indian snacks, including slices of mango and assorted snacks featuring nuts and seeds.
There are three villages on the island, with about 2000 people, all of whom seem to work as vendors here. Lighting along the walk is fueled by solar energy. We boarded a tiny train for the distance to steps climbing up to the cave and made friends with a group of friendly and perfectly-behaved kids whose families pay tuition for them to take part in an after-school enrichment class.
Because there are no predators on the island, monkeys thrive. The little ones are especially friendly, and our guide encouraged me to get closer, and shake his hand. I settled for a picture.
Steps to the top are arduous to climb, and I was very proud of Kenneth. With lots of other tourists and vendors bordering the walk it was quite a challenge. Here's the view looking down to give you a sense of the climb.
I'm determined to return at some point to provide details on the big cave we visited. For now, I'll direct you to Google, plus these photos:
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| Our wonderful guide |
We asked so many questions, we missed the little train and had to walk back to the dock to catch the next boat. And by the time we got to the hotel we had no time to shop (so so sad) or visit the new - and first-in-town - Starbucks that is IN our hotel (but a 10-minute round-trip walk around the corner to access!).
Our local travel rep came with a driver at 2:30 to take us on the long ride to the airport - which provided quite a nice city tour (arriving at 1 a.m. we had missed a lot on the route). First, a sad farewell to the hotel and their handsome welcoming team:
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| Decorated "Victorias" line the street near India Gate |
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| As close as I got |
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A famous cafe we had hoped to visit - with a famous Coca Cola sign, for Kenneth
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| K actually got his big feet into one of these last night. Never again! |
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| View from Marine Drive |
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| Amazing scaffolding |
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| Entry to a wedding celebration |
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| Expensive & striking new construction |
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| Can you see the line of people waiting to get into this famous mosque? |
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| "Fishermen's village" in the foreground, near the big new bridge |
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| Our escort pointed out the government has a new program to put slum dwellers in new housing |
The airport wait provided an opportunity to admire the beautifully-sari'd Indian women. Then on to our next stop.
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| Our cute plane to Udaipur |
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| K being a good sport |
We arrived in Udaipur at 8 and it was 9:30 before we got to the hotel. I can't wait to take photos in the morning It is amaaaaaaaaazing in many ways. A fine dinner. The restaurant is known for excellent Indian food but the manager acknowledged it was all Spicy when we said we couldn't eat Hot. So he fixed us good chicken and lamb, steamed veggies, mashed potatoes.
On to more adventure....
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