TravelStream™ news feed for member dibs on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/dibs en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:31:54 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198678980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198678980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198678980/tpod.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:31:54 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Jodhpur, India

Rohet Garh is a jewel in the desert, it is Sid's family home as the Mini marharajah of Rohet, about an hour from Jodhpur.
Sid is a keen horse man, and the palace has horse memorabilia everywhere.
One of the staff took us for a walk in the village after lunch and we wandered into the yard where the local potter was making the village water pots which was amazing to watch, he gave us a qucik demo which was very cool, he just worked on a round piece of concrete stone which he span really quickly then dumped a lump of lake mud and "donkey dust" and created magic, from the single blob he made a money box, a dish, a vase, and pot.

After we spent the afternoon in the gardens, then went out to Khandi camp where we would start out camel safari.
Khandi is amazing, it was the best bed we had ever slept in, kind of sleeping in a bowl of caramel custard.

The camp had a fire the week before, and we were the first people in since the re build. They are expecting a celebtrity guest over New year.
Good sleeps needed by all to power up for camel safari tomorrow
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199097840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199097840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199097840/tpod.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:40:42 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Jaisalmer, India

Jaisalmer
The desert continued to get more desolate as we headed towards Jaisamler from Khimsar - the military presence also stepped up as we cruised along the Pakistani border. Eventually we came to the Golden City, which really does look like a giant sand castle coming up from the desert.
We checked in to our seedy hotel and headed straight out to the sandstone fort.
We found ourselves in " little Italy" for a hit of Indian style brusetta and pizza which was surpisingly good, There was a hindi movie being shot in the court yard beneath, and the crowd swamped the star as she was trying to leave - we didn't know her from a bar of soap. We wandered aimlessly around the narrow streets of the old city which was great, though smelt a little like the world's largest public toilet in places. Davinda took us out to the restaurant of his choice which offered good, food annoying music and greedy waiters.
next morning was christmas eve and we all had Christmas shopping to be working on. Possbily one of the funnest christmas shopping experiences ever.

Our guide for the day was called???? apparently from the Ferrari racing team, and from a Brahmin family -this obviously meant a lot to him if not us. It is only now that the Caste system raises it's head pretty strongly - amongst the Delhi gang they told is that is it pretty well extinct, but it is alive and well in Rajastahn!

Our guide was very fixed on showing us to his favourite shops which was a little trying, as he obviously thought we had a lot more money than we do, and were not really interested in the 8000 rupee pashmina from the neck of the himalayan goat.

But we did managed to see the longest moustache in the world 4 meters, his dad had one 6 m but was sadly assinated - possibly because of the mo, we couldn;t get clarification on that.

After we ditched the guide, when he realised there would be no commissions from us, we headed back to little Italy for re grouping and a massive hit of comfort food - poached eggs on toast, Banana and Nutella pancakes, and banana custard.

"Necessity being the mother of invention" lead to the introduction of the newly adopted family tradition of "Bed Pie" - a fine tradition based on the need not to go out in the evening for another curry, and the discovery of a funky German "Bakery" in the midst of the Jaislamere market. We are looking forward to more Bed Pie opportunities at family festivals.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199101800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199101800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199101800/tpod.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:02:45 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Jodhpur, India

After the amazing discovery that Santa had found us, and present opening around the "tree"( decorated chair with santa hats and stockings) we had a grand present opening. Christmas brekky maybe wasn't up to the usual Gerringong brunch standard, but we did get to eat our cold toast under a picture of "Mr Desert" 2004 /05. We took Christmas music to the restaurant with us to the confusion of the Indian guests.

We gave Davinda a box of chocs which he looked a little curious about, but he seemed happy.

A 5 hour drive away from the build up of military presence near the Pakistan border, to the Blue city of Jodpur.
We checked i to the converted riding stables in the gardens of Balsamand Palace which was just beautiful, and very relaxing.
Our Christmas dinner was amazing, it was an out door Indian BBQ, out door tables surrounded by flaming bowls to keep us warm, visually spectacular, and the food was incredible, we were very content! Merry Christmas.

The next day we ventured into Jodpur, the Fort was magnificent, though we are starting to get a little "forted" out. From the fort we headed straight out to Rohet Garh, home of Sid, the Mini Maharajah , a good friend of Baggage's.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198344360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198344360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198344360/tpod.html Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:49:11 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Bikaner, India

We left the opulence of the Sara Villas and the artistry of the Havalis and headed deeper into the Desert. As we drover further towards the Thar Desert it became clear that we were driving off the normal tourist map as thatched mud huts lined the road and the villages became even more run down. Our destination was Khimsar Fort. On entering the village of Khimsar we could see what seemed like a mirage on on the hill, the Maharaja's residence and our hotel, Fort Khimsar. As soon as we became aware of the Fort our vehicle was swamped by hundreds of turbaned men yelling and covering the road. Davinder forced his way through the crowds and into the driveway and into another world. Residence of the 18th, 19th and 20th Maharaja of Khimsar this fort is converted into the most gorgeous hotel. Though we like to imagine the crowd was because of our arrival, apparently it was actually due to the unveiling of a statue of the old Maharajah.

We sat on the rapparts and enjoyed a delicious roti and dhal for Lunch. After a long overdue bout of exercise in the Gym and swim we did a little shopping from the local crafts men and women.

Dinner was served by fire light in the old ruins within the fort at which point we all agreed that we had found the location for the next James Bond movie and pinched ourselves at our own good fortune.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198258200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198258200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198258200/tpod.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:36:38 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Mandawa, India

Amazing house art in unexplored Shakawoti
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198084980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198084980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1198084980/tpod.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:24:58 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Jaipur, India

Hooray! its Toms birthday here in jaipur it was really a fun day we started off going to the amber fort on elephant back witch was really fun there were rooms made from Belgium glass and then we went to um.... some kind of gem demonstration witch was really cool lots of rare gems there and then we went to the observatory where there is the worlds biggest sun dial witch is really big and there are lots of other smaller dials next we move on to the maharajas' house where he has a art and weapons gallery witch are both excellent and then we went on to a silver were and Tom bought a knife and then we went to some markets and jack didn't fell to good so went went back to the hotel and tom and mike went to the mall and got everyone a sub way and we went and saw a puppet show over all it was a great day and we finished it by cake and we ask Davinder to come up and have some he really enjoyed that
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1197997980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1197997980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1197997980/tpod.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:15:28 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Fatehpur Sikri, India

After the majesty of the incomparable Taj Mahal we traveled out of Agra to the abandoned capital of Fatipur Sikri. We were expecting to be a little "monument weary" by this stage but the city was a vast and stunning testament to an India before the British. An India of an architectural sophistication and religious tolerance that we could do well to emulate today.

Wandering through the old palaces was like walking through a CGI Hollywood set for a vast historical epic, except this was very real and largely unchanged.

One of the most striking things was the combination of religious influences in the architecture. Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Buddhist images all together in the same buildings and columns.

After Fatipur Sikri we hit the madness and mayhem of the Indian roads again to head into Rajistan and on to Jaipur
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199034120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199034120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1199034120/tpod.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:13:38 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Ramnagar, India

Forget going to a monestary, or ashram if you are looking for total peace - check into Camp Forktail.
This is another permanent tented camp just out side the Corbett Tiger reserve near Ramegah. It is possible the most peaceful place on earth, we pretty quickly realised that we had misjudged our itinary planning here, and should have planned for an extra couple of days.Harrish was our guy here, and took us on a very cool nature walk, the forest here is full of wild elephants, tigers, leopards, and it a bird watchers paradise.
The food is amazing, and again served from silver buffetware, with people on standby in case you have a whim!~

We went of a tiger safari in a very cool little jeep with Bajee - " our very responsible guide" we were hot in pursuit of tigers, lots of prints, and poos, but they were hidden away in the grasses today -but a great day out. The park is very beautiful, and I think the boys really enjoyed the thrill of the chase in the open top jeeps.
The final morning at Forktail we went on a elephant ride through the forest, which was excellent, so peaceful and quiet. a sharp contrast to the 8 hour drive back to Delhi that followed, we were all a little shellshocked when we got back, Delhi really is chaos -undescribable.
In a total contract to the poverty you see on the street, we were invited out for dinner to one of Baggages friends when we arrived. he is a Delhi billionaire, and the event was unbelievable -the house was unbelievable, and it goes with out saying the food was.....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1197911400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1197911400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1197911400/tpod.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:12:42 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Agra, India

After a sad good bye to Baggage and Shirly, Deeya and Megna we headed put with Davinda Singh to Agra.
We visited the Agra Fort, and the Taj.

The Taj Mahal is more magnificent than I had imagined, I guess that we have seen it in so many pictures that you think you have seen it, but the detail and impact is really dramatic. We had a really great day, and are looking forward to the Rajasthan experience.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1196873460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1196873460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dibs/india_2007/1196873460/tpod.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:56:53 -0500 Druce on the Loose in India!

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Rishikesh, India

It is a little hard to get internet access, so the posts may be a little messed up -however, we are having a fantastic time at the River camps, we have stayed mainly at Camp Panther, but also visited Leopard beach for lunch.
Every meal we have here is amazingly prepared and served, I think we are going to be the only visitors that leave from India putting on weight.But there has been plenty of rafting, kayaking and climbing to keep us going. Jack and Tom are loving being on the river, their kayaking skills have really improved, and they are in awe of some of the Nepali guys who work here as guides, they are so strong, you can see why they heave people up everest!

Baggage arrives tomorrow, so all the camp are busy polishing and fussing for his arrival, Shirly and a whole bunch of their Delhi friends arrive for the week end of Friday
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I ha d a shopping morning in Rishikesh this morning while the boys were on the river. It is a really interesting little town, a bit more laid back than many other Indian towns we have seen, though still the same total anarchy.
There are lot of ashrams and yoga centres, lots of foreign tourists that seem to be looking to " find themselves" in fact many wont even look you in the eye when you are wandering round with a back pack on, it's as it they think they have found the end of the earth - yet there is Littlehales playing tourist.
I asked some of the camp people what they thought of westerners wandering round Riskikesh in tie dye and cotton, and they laughed and said they though they needed a good wash and a walk in the mountains!.
There was a lot of very funky looking Sadhu's wandering around looking very mystic and the usual assortment of street vendors trying to sell me plastic cameras and peacock feathers -but we found some great pashmina's, and nepali hats which the boys practised their haggling skills on. They got their funky hats down from $3.00 to $2.00, and the salesman still went off smiling as if he had made a killing, but all were satisfied with the deal. Where we can we are trying to buy stuff from the handicraft emporiums, which have a fair trade agreement with the villages who make the handicrafts.

The friends all arrived after lunch on Friday and we moved to Baggage's newest camp at the Himalayan bear steam, similar style to Camp Panther, but more secluded. The people were lovely, all friends of Shirly and Baggages from their housing complex, they were very welcoming to us, and we had a great weekend. We had a huge camp fire each night, which looked like tribal council at Survivor. They all sang beautiful hindi and nepali folk songs, which left us looking a little think on the ground with Waltzing Matilda.
Jack and Tom were both a little ill while we were there, the Might Ganga totally purified them, inside and out! on the mend again after 24 hours and raring for action.
We went for a fantastic hike, about 5 hours into the mountains. What was awesome for me, was a tiny little school we came across about 2 hours uphill. When we set off, in full hiking gear, there was another man leaving at the same time, but while we were their in boots and back packs, he was in business shoes and brief case, when we got to the school we realised he was the teacher!
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