Cruising through small villages, canals, christian and orthodox churches into the sunset in the lake was an amazing experience. 
The peace, calmness and colors of the river and it’s life make it an unforgettable day. 
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sailing in south India’s rivers
After a nice elephant half hour ride in the mountains and a visit to a spices crop, we went to Alleppey to take a houseboat to the Vembanad lake. 
Cruising through small villages, canals, christian and orthodox churches into the sunset in the lake was an amazing experience. 
The peace, calmness and colors of the river and it’s life make it an unforgettable day. 
Cruising through small villages, canals, christian and orthodox churches into the sunset in the lake was an amazing experience. The peace, calmness and colors of the river and it’s life make it an unforgettable day. 
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Madurai
In the city we went to the famous Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the wedding of Shiva and his wife.
Huge temple recently painted full of life. Daily receives at least 10.000 and some times 25.000 in special occasions.
The temple has an internal market, lots of pilgrims, tourists, even an elephant bramin we found.
In the afternoon we drove 4 hours to Periyar, crossing lots of rice crops and small villages.
Huge temple recently painted full of life. Daily receives at least 10.000 and some times 25.000 in special occasions.
The temple has an internal market, lots of pilgrims, tourists, even an elephant bramin we found.
In the afternoon we drove 4 hours to Periyar, crossing lots of rice crops and small villages.
The Chola Kings
Tanjore was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings. To show the power of their reign, built huge temples to Shiva, specially the Brihadeshwara temple, World Heritage list.
Mid morning we drove to Trichy, to see the Sri Ranganathanswami temple built in an island in the river Cauvery. It is a huge temple, 2,5 square km, 21 towers, looks like a city inside.
People eat, sleep, buy, pray, the center has a 80kg gold top but not Hindus are not allowed.
In the afternoon we drove to Madurai to spend the night there.
Mid morning we drove to Trichy, to see the Sri Ranganathanswami temple built in an island in the river Cauvery. It is a huge temple, 2,5 square km, 21 towers, looks like a city inside.
People eat, sleep, buy, pray, the center has a 80kg gold top but not Hindus are not allowed.
In the afternoon we drove to Madurai to spend the night there.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Mahabalipuram
Beautiful coast city full of beach resorts and 7th century temples, carvings, boulders and caves near the sea.
We went to see first a boulder, raw material of several carvings in the city, and then the end result: 5 temples, an elephant and a lion.
Then we went to see one of the most tourist temples in India, the Shore Temple. Build between the 7th and 8th centuries, is world heritage from UNESCO not only for its carvings, but for the beauty in the proximity of the sea.
In the afternoon we drove by car 200kg to Tanjore, stopping to see some small temples on the way.
We went to see first a boulder, raw material of several carvings in the city, and then the end result: 5 temples, an elephant and a lion.
Then we went to see one of the most tourist temples in India, the Shore Temple. Build between the 7th and 8th centuries, is world heritage from UNESCO not only for its carvings, but for the beauty in the proximity of the sea.
In the afternoon we drove by car 200kg to Tanjore, stopping to see some small temples on the way.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
South India
Although the majority of tourism is in the north of India, we arrived in Madras, the renamed Chennai, to discover some of the differences inside the same country. Clothes, food, religion, architecture, temples even transit have small changes in the hottest part of India.
In early morning we went to the biggest Hidu temple in the city, Kapaleeswara temple dedicated to Shiva. It is a colorful place, where lots of people pray for having children.
As one of the 3 ports of East India Company, the British had the impressive St George Fort as the main structure in the city, near the Marina Beach, second longest beach in the world after Copacabana.
In the afternoon we drove 40km to Kanchipuram the thousand temple city, to visit Ekambaswara temple, one of the biggest in the country and dedicated to Shiva.
In early morning we went to the biggest Hidu temple in the city, Kapaleeswara temple dedicated to Shiva. It is a colorful place, where lots of people pray for having children.
As one of the 3 ports of East India Company, the British had the impressive St George Fort as the main structure in the city, near the Marina Beach, second longest beach in the world after Copacabana.
In the afternoon we drove 40km to Kanchipuram the thousand temple city, to visit Ekambaswara temple, one of the biggest in the country and dedicated to Shiva.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Jaipur
It was a day to know a little history about the main city in the Rajasthan, Jaipur.
In the morning we went to the pink city, the central part of the city where the City Palace Complex is located.
Here the last maharaja lives. Its family ruled until the indepence, and now just lives like a king but with no role in the government.
In the afternoon we visited Amber Fort and it’s luxurious palaces. In the way back we couldn’t resist an elephant ride.
In the morning we went to the pink city, the central part of the city where the City Palace Complex is located.
Here the last maharaja lives. Its family ruled until the indepence, and now just lives like a king but with no role in the government.
In the afternoon we visited Amber Fort and it’s luxurious palaces. In the way back we couldn’t resist an elephant ride.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Rajasthan
The state of Rajasthan although rich in palaces, forts and temples, surprises for the adherence to old traditions in the country.
Arriving in the desert is like changing boundaries and entering another place. With clothes full of animated and mixed colors, long mustaches, 9m turbans, and camels, the cities are something new to discover.
Last night we had a typical dinner from Rajasthan and a camel ride.
In the morning we went to Pushkar, city famous for being the main world marketplace for camels but for the lake where Gandhi’s and Nehru’s ashes were thrown.
First we went into the only Brahma temple to receive some flowers, and then went to the lake to wash our sins with a prayer from the Brahmin priest by performing a Pushkar Puja, valued by the guy in Euro 300 lol.
After walking in the market, we went to another city, Ajmer, where we walked in the streets too, and although there’s a very known mosque, we were not in the mood to negotiate every thing they want charge tourists for in India.
Arriving in the desert is like changing boundaries and entering another place. With clothes full of animated and mixed colors, long mustaches, 9m turbans, and camels, the cities are something new to discover.
Last night we had a typical dinner from Rajasthan and a camel ride.
In the morning we went to Pushkar, city famous for being the main world marketplace for camels but for the lake where Gandhi’s and Nehru’s ashes were thrown.
First we went into the only Brahma temple to receive some flowers, and then went to the lake to wash our sins with a prayer from the Brahmin priest by performing a Pushkar Puja, valued by the guy in Euro 300 lol.
After walking in the market, we went to another city, Ajmer, where we walked in the streets too, and although there’s a very known mosque, we were not in the mood to negotiate every thing they want charge tourists for in India.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Taj Mahal
We wanted to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, as people say it changes colors during sunrise, sunset and at night with full moon. At 6:30 we were in the line waiting for the gates to be open.
When finally we began to enter, after the security check, there’s a garden and a huge gate, from where we can see the astonishing building far in front. Even with high expectations, the Taj delivers.
As the morning is foggy, the Taj looks like an appearance over no scenario, just over fog or clouds, and as we walk closer, the magnificence and wonder of all its details and its size takes our breath away.
After realizing we are in from of the most beautiful building in the world, we begin to explore it from every side, every corner, then we go in to see every detail of its decorated marble. It is so beautiful that we could sit there and stare at it the whole day.
After the wonderful experience, we took the road to Jaipur, making a small stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a palace where the mughals governed some years.
In the entrance to Jaipur, we stopped at the monkeys temples, some hinduist temples where 5.000 monkeys live.
When finally we began to enter, after the security check, there’s a garden and a huge gate, from where we can see the astonishing building far in front. Even with high expectations, the Taj delivers.
As the morning is foggy, the Taj looks like an appearance over no scenario, just over fog or clouds, and as we walk closer, the magnificence and wonder of all its details and its size takes our breath away.
After realizing we are in from of the most beautiful building in the world, we begin to explore it from every side, every corner, then we go in to see every detail of its decorated marble. It is so beautiful that we could sit there and stare at it the whole day.
After the wonderful experience, we took the road to Jaipur, making a small stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a palace where the mughals governed some years.
In the entrance to Jaipur, we stopped at the monkeys temples, some hinduist temples where 5.000 monkeys live.
Orchha and Agra
We traveled 150Km to Orchha were there´s the great preserved ruin of the Raj Mahal palace, home of the Bundela dynasty beaten by the Mughals.
After the palaces, we went to Jhansi to catch a train to Agra.
In Agra, as Friday the Taj Mahal is closed, we went to the amazing Agra fort, that dominates the Yamuna river.
The fort was the base of the Mughal empire for several generations.
After the palaces, we went to Jhansi to catch a train to Agra.
In Agra, as Friday the Taj Mahal is closed, we went to the amazing Agra fort, that dominates the Yamuna river.
The fort was the base of the Mughal empire for several generations.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Khajuraho
The most beautiful and conserved temples are in te small Khajuraho village.
With no train station, the place receives a lot of European tourists for the calmness of its streets and the wonder of its attractions.
There are two sets of temples, Hindu and Jan. The Hindu complex has a lot of well maintained and restored temples full of beautiful detailed images and statues of gods, women, battles, stories and so on.
With no train station, the place receives a lot of European tourists for the calmness of its streets and the wonder of its attractions.
There are two sets of temples, Hindu and Jan. The Hindu complex has a lot of well maintained and restored temples full of beautiful detailed images and statues of gods, women, battles, stories and so on.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sacred Varanasi
“Older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together” Mark Twain
The sacred city founded by Shiva, and one of the oldest cities in the world, where millions of pilgrims go to the Ganges river every year to wash their sins, could be the easiest way to begin to understand India and Hinduism. With a lack of importance for money, material goods, hygiene and space, it’s a shock t to western values and knowledge.
For Hindus is great luck to die in Varanasi, as they’ll be burnt in the public crematories and their ashes will be thrown into the river, gaining direct track to heaven.
In the morning we went very early to see the sacred bath during the sunrise in the river Ganges, one of the main attractions in the country.
After that we went to the old city and main Hindu and Buddhist temples.
In the late afternoon went back to the river to see the crematories at night and the sunset ceremonies.
The sacred city founded by Shiva, and one of the oldest cities in the world, where millions of pilgrims go to the Ganges river every year to wash their sins, could be the easiest way to begin to understand India and Hinduism. With a lack of importance for money, material goods, hygiene and space, it’s a shock t to western values and knowledge.
For Hindus is great luck to die in Varanasi, as they’ll be burnt in the public crematories and their ashes will be thrown into the river, gaining direct track to heaven.
In the morning we went very early to see the sacred bath during the sunrise in the river Ganges, one of the main attractions in the country.
After that we went to the old city and main Hindu and Buddhist temples.
In the late afternoon went back to the river to see the crematories at night and the sunset ceremonies.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Top of the world
Today we saw another amazing face of Nepal. Early morning we went to the local airport for the main reason people come to the country, to see the Everest. We took a plane that flies along the Himalayas until the Everest (8.848m) and Makalu (8.463m) mountains. 
For an hour we were delighted with the incredible view of the top of the world. After having breakfast, we went to another three beautiful cities in Nepal: 
Bhaktapur with it’s beautiful temples, Pashupatinath the Nepalese Varanasi, where Hinduists burn their dead and throw the ashes to the river and Patan with it’s antique architecture. 
For an hour we were delighted with the incredible view of the top of the world. After having breakfast, we went to another three beautiful cities in Nepal: 
Bhaktapur with it’s beautiful temples, Pashupatinath the Nepalese Varanasi, where Hinduists burn their dead and throw the ashes to the river and Patan with it’s antique architecture. 
Friday, November 13, 2009
Nepal
Just amazing. There are no words to describe Kathmandu. 
We arrived at noon, after a few hours delay because of bad weather. After lunch we went to Durbar Square. 
I think anyone could spend weeks just at this square, with old temples, food market, handicrafts, all contained in one of the most dense cities in terms of population with very small streets and heavy transit. 
It looks like a city that stood in time years ago, with friendly small people, small doors to bend to the earth, and great energy. 
A city full of colors, noises, nationalities, garbage, smells, hustlers, backpackers, history, religion, faith, life.
Try to walk in Kathmandu
We arrived at noon, after a few hours delay because of bad weather. After lunch we went to Durbar Square. 
I think anyone could spend weeks just at this square, with old temples, food market, handicrafts, all contained in one of the most dense cities in terms of population with very small streets and heavy transit. 
It looks like a city that stood in time years ago, with friendly small people, small doors to bend to the earth, and great energy. 
A city full of colors, noises, nationalities, garbage, smells, hustlers, backpackers, history, religion, faith, life.Try to walk in Kathmandu
Thursday, November 12, 2009
New Delhi
Today we made a short tour by New Delhi’s monuments. First we went to the huge brick minaret with no steel or wood structure, then to the government buildings with the house of parliament, ministries and the president’s house. 
Two and a half km in front of this house, there’s the India gate, in the memory of the 85,000 soldiers that died in the world war defending the British by demand. 
In the end we went to a huge Hindu temple where no pictures were allowed. 
Better organized, although in construction for the games in 2010, New Delhi is getting better and better with the days, and for sure in a few years will be one of the main metropolis in the world.
45 seconds in Old Delhi streets
Two and a half km in front of this house, there’s the India gate, in the memory of the 85,000 soldiers that died in the world war defending the British by demand. 
In the end we went to a huge Hindu temple where no pictures were allowed. 
Better organized, although in construction for the games in 2010, New Delhi is getting better and better with the days, and for sure in a few years will be one of the main metropolis in the world.45 seconds in Old Delhi streets
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Chaotic Delhi
Is an immense chaotic and frenetic chaos, but works. We flew in early morning to beautiful Delhi, where we were able to share the streets with buses, motorcycles, mototaxis, bicytaxis, elephants, horses, goats, pedestrians and whatever might dare to enter the flux.
We went to the huge Jama Masjid to be charged for everything (taking pictures, leaving the shoes outside, walking in the minaret) besides the current donation, but is the biggest mosque in India.
We were able to see Delhi’s most famous monument, Red fort, some of the old Delhi streets and the Gandhi memorial. Short but lucrative tour.
We went to the huge Jama Masjid to be charged for everything (taking pictures, leaving the shoes outside, walking in the minaret) besides the current donation, but is the biggest mosque in India.
We were able to see Delhi’s most famous monument, Red fort, some of the old Delhi streets and the Gandhi memorial. Short but lucrative tour.
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