TravelStream™ news feed for member judicia on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/judicia en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:03:17 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/2/1251082956/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/2/1251082956/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/2/1251082956/tpod.html Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:03:17 -0400 The Two Small Children go to Indochina

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

test
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1191647760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1191647760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1191647760/tpod.html Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:10:28 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Perth, Australia

And so it begins ... it's the weekend before we embark on our next adventure. Our suitcases are sitting comfortably in our family room full! There are gifts we are bringing for relatives; and boxes of chocolates and school resources for the people who will become a part of our happy memories. I have only about 1kg of clothes, and Alan is bringing what he calls his disposable clothes. You know those items you never wear because they were birthday and Christmas pressies from people who kindly insisted on giving you a present but never fully realised your style or size? Alan figures he'll wear and keep sending to the dhobi and then leave at a Good Sammy's ... or since we'll be in India should I say a Good Sami's! Oh and this time, I've remembered to pack an umbrella. Yes .. you know how hot it gets in Singapore and India.

I'm cooking some things healthy for our weekend meals so we can then enjoy with guiltless abandon on our travels!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1192331100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1192331100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1192331100/tpod.html Sat, 05 Jan 2008 23:00:11 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Delhi, India

This is our THANK YOU entry.

My beautiful cousins and their hubbies for their warm generosity and hospitality - we had such a glorious time catching up & kicking back. Jacq & Werner - your home is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing it & ALL that food with us. Carol, I loved how we all just took over your bookshop. If Ricky only knew how much I enjoyed sitting on the floor while his customers were stepping over and around us. It was too good! Thanks guys for all the presents as well ... Carol, I am so loving King of Bollywood. And Jacq - please please please please email the receipe for your yummy glass noodle salad I am so going to need it when we get back home (after all the Indian food!)

Ted ... aiyah we love the HO-tel we stayed at in Singapore lah! It was a HO-me away from home (for those who are wondering we stayed at Ted Ho's place while in Singapore) As for the HO-tel manager - Ted spoilt us to bits.

Thank you so much for all your little surprises. Even after you left for Paris there was still Bedok Corner cheng-ting dessert in the fridge. So kind lah! Thank you so much too for going all over on your scooter to buy those treats for us and for agreeing to take all the stuff we bought and were gifted with back home for us so we don't have to lug it around India. We love you Ted!!!

Here are more pics from yesterday ...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195083780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195083780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195083780/tpod.html Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:16:00 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Mumbai (Bombay), India

It's nearly the end of our holiday. We are so lucky to have experienced and seen; felt and tasted; laughed at and shed a tear about and just plain loved or hated here.

The taxis brought us huge amounts of sweating (due to the heat and traffic jams) and about the same amount of amusement. Like for instance, at just about each traffic light, the driver turns off the engine. Same goes for the autorickshaws. But one particular driver even went to the extent of turning off his lights! Well, at least the chap had lights that worked. It is terribly common here for them to drive around without lights completely. Imagine crossing the crazy streets and keeping your eyes out for such vehicles. But funnily enough they will have the interior of their taxis lit with a bluish flourescent light when they are waiting for passengers - it looks very stylish. Must be their way of attracting customers. You know like insects to the blue light?

Speaking of crossing streets, then there are the modes of transport that go against traffic. Here we are, Alan and I - thinking we are veterans at crossing the roads, Indian style. Alamak, just the other day Alan got hit by a bicycle as he and I were crossing the road after ensuring that it was clear (well, what we thought was clear) only to be hit from behind! The bicycle only grazed me but Alan got hit on his left leg. (He's fine, no worries - not sure about the bike!) The cyclist looked so surprised and must have thought - how come you did not see me? Go figure!

Footpaths are another danger. Most are very uneven, you have to side-step the puddles made by dripping air-conditioners from the offices above and not to forget the blobs of spit. Fortunately, the campaign to clean up Mumbai includes a Hall of Shame for those caught spitting and littering. Anyone caught will have their photos posted for everyone to see. I guess in a country of over 1 billion people there is no such thing as privacy. And frankly, I think it's probably the only way to enforce it. There are also the trip hazards. Holes appear without warning, and makeshift concrete covers pop up when you least expect it. This makes for an ever-changing, interesting obstacle course one is challenged with daily. Plus, don't forget all the stall holders. It's no wonder that people walk on the roads where it's safer - sometimes!

We have had fun evesdropping on conversations while having our twice daily doses of Ethiopian coffees. We hear the funniest things, mostly from young women who for example talk about Shah Rukh Khan (see, it's not just me!) and movies, their work and bosses, boyfriends, parents. And even though they are conversations you might hear in Perth - culturally the values, perceptions and acceptances are very different and sometimes shocking.

One thing I found interesting is that whenever I wear a sari, which I've done a few times when we step out for dinner is ... I don't get stared at as much. Why? I cannot explain this phenomenon. During other times they all turn and look. Alan's theory is that they look because they wonder if I'm Indian at these other times, but when I drape on a sari they know for sure that I am - so, no need to stare. I am not so sure about this.

Food, well as you all know we have had a wonderful time eating here. But I must tell you that I hated today's lunch ordeal! It all began in the morning, after our wonderful coffees at Cafe Coffee Day. I wanted to order my favourite Chocolate Fantasy but as it was about 11.30am, Alan insisted that we'd soon have lunch and the cake would 'spoil my lunch.' (How Eurasian can you get with a line like that, for heaven's sakes??)

We headed towards Crawford Markets as I wanted to look for a handbag and so far the only place that seems to sell this particular type is Bandra which is a drive and a half to get to. This walking to Crawford and shopping should have taken about half an hour - provided we found what I was looking for. But the bag selling area was a big dissapointment plus it was right next to the fish and chicken markets (think smells of the most disgusting order and WET ground - vomit inducing stuff). Here I was, with an empty stomach from the lack of Chocolate Fantasy or breakfast - side-stepping with expert agility and thinking "Donovan would just die." when I decide, okay I've had enough, let's just get out of here and have lunch - thinking we'd go somewhere we know nearby and SOON.

But my charming husband - the great food adventurer decides he wants to try this place called Peshawa which he read about in the newspaper. One would think firstly, that the newspapers would provided an address ... nup ... that would be too easy and not in the style of Indian directions. Following what Alan remembered from the article we headed towards Victoria Train Station. So we crossed roads, climbed overpasses, stopped and asked for directions (umpteenth times) but nobody knew where this place was. I said - surely it can't be that great a place if nobody has heard of it. But this is Alan leading the hunt, remember?!

Following his nose (you have all heard of this navigation gift by now) he keeps going and going and going and then finally guides us back to our hotel because he says ... he will ask our hotel concierge who is a goldmine of information. But ... even our trusted Lawrence had not heard of this place. Infact, Lawrence immediately quipped "It's in Pakistan" when Alan asked him. (Peshawar is the capital of the NW Frontier province in Pakistan)

I was thinking "Too right mate, can we just bloody eat at McDonalds around the corner." Lawrence sweetly then rings and finds out where it is. And Alan triumphantly leads the way ... again. Oh Gawd ... it's now 2pm and I am starting to loose my patience but I just quietly walk behind him - thru the lunch-time crowd, avoiding the spit and obstacles along the way.

Still could not find it ... but Alan persevered ... he HAD to find this place - the food was calling - it was highly recommended, according to him. But it must be the hunter gatherer in him. Finally, with MY help, after going thru narrow back alleys and in a round about way when my initial directions would have avoided all this; we find it ... sit down and order. He had the cheek to say very cheerfully to the waiter "Madam will select and order." I could have slapped him good and proper! I merely ordered MY food and said to him "Pick your own!" Yes folks .. I was at the end of my tether! And guess what ... in this big restaurant ... there was only one other table occupied at what is Indian luch time, which means all the GOOD restaurants are full.

Kemasangi this Alan! (roughly translated blood-suckingly annoying)

Verdict - the food was crap. No wonder it was empty; no wonder nobody had heard of it. It might as well have been in Pakistan!

Tonight, I am leading the way to dinner. We are going to Delhi Dhabar for the best bbq meats - walking distance, in a bright and clean street.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195209420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195209420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195209420/tpod.html Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:08:00 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Singapore, Singapore

Well yes, we are on our way home after our deliriously wonderful 6 weeks of being together 24/7. We think this 3rd advernture in India has been perhaps the best one yet.

Yesterday, knowing that we were at least 10kg over the weight limit with our bags, we packed as much as we possibly could fit in a carry bag that was given to us and headed out to the post office. Now, I don't know how many of you know that on our last trip when we tried to post a parcel in Mumbai we had gone to the GPO - only to find out that they were having a power-failure.

On that day some grandiose officials had decided to pay the post office a surprise inspection as well and so we encountered what must have been the superintendent of the GPO who appeared to us very nervous and at his most officious. Showing off to his superiors, he forced his staff to follow every process to the T - making up some as he went along. This resulted in us spending 2 hours sweating in a darkened and crowded GPO (note: smelling the crowds body odour) at which point they still would not guarantee that they could put our parcel thru and to add insult to injury - told us that we were not allowed to leave until the entire process was completed.

All parcels in India have to be covered in calico (remember Jaipur?) - we had already had ours stitched and ready to go but this chap had asked one of his men to open it to demonstrate to his bosses how he ran things. In frustration, Alan just picked up the box and walked out. He and his staff were frantically trying to prevent Alan from doing so, but you all know Alan right? He just told them it belonged to him and he could do whatever he liked with it, so he was leaving. Fortunately, the person who stitched the calico for us kindly re-stitched it and told us to take it to Collaba Post Office as they were much faster.

Right, so since we had such good service from Collaba eighteen months ago we headed straight there in our taxi this time. ALAMAK! The stitcher there told Alan that he did not supply the calico - "Sir, go to market to buy - 2m enough. Market is near, just take taxi!'

Alan and I looked at each other, our taxi driver had already left. So we caught another one but thought firstly - where the hell was this market he was talking about? and secondly, what did he expect? For us to take another taxi back to him to stitch the thing? Forget it! We just headed for the GPO stitcher who was so helpful on our last trip to try our luck. Amazingly enough, the same guy was there - among the numerous other stitchers outside the GPO. With his help, everything was completed in 15 minutes! Whoohoo!!

Sorry to report, but our journey to the airport was without incident as we went in an air-conditioned car that the hotel had organised for us. That's the trouble when you go in comfort - it doesn't create the right masala mix for something to go wrong! ahahahah!

Our flight to Singapore however did have a reportable story. Alan was unable to get an aisle seat for me as the flight was full. I am known for being bochoh (meaning needing to go to the toilet with regularity) The guy who was seated in the aisle seat looked unapproachable and so we just decided not to ask him if we could swap. After like 15 minutes he puts on his blinkers (eye covers) and ear plugs and falls asleep! This man sleeps thru the ENTIRE trip. Both Alan and I made several trips to the toilet, climbing over him and he never once moved! ahahahahah

Then when we landed he gets up nicely refreshed but has terrible morning breath (Imagine Alan leaning towards me and away from him making "phuff" face!) This ex-Aussie chap told Alan (thru his bad breath) that he had lived away from Australia since 1990. As we were preparing to deplane, he started to pick a fight with an Indian man who was trying to get his bag from the over-head locker. Granted, the Indian man was typical in his intrusive way of trying to get to the bag from over this Aussie guy's head. There was a lot of shouting, the delightful F word was used by both freely and neither of them looked like they were going to back down. Alan and I looked at each other and whispered "Travel blog entry!" Alan then put his hands on both their shoulders and said "C'mon guys, stop it here." They stopped but kept eyeing off at each other.

In the transit lounge this flared up again when the Aussie guy overhead the Indian guy describe him as an arsehole to somebody else. Alamak ... wish we could have hung around to tell you more but Alan needed to take a dump! ahahahahah such a pity!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195342980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195342980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1195342980/tpod.html Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:03:34 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Perth, Australia

Home feels like a different world when you've been travelling for 6 weeks in as foreign (in every sense of the word) a place as India. Even though we have seen lots of improvements and developments on this trip, the culture of chaos in the over-crowded subcontinent reigns supreme.

We have thoroughly enjoyed all that has now become a part of us from this amazing 'magoo' of a holiday. The most special thing about it this time was our ability to share our thoughts, experiences, laughter and frustrations with our closest family and friends as they happened. Thank you for coming on our journey with us, and for keeping us company. We felt like you really were a part of it all and hope that you have enjoyed coming along for the ride.

Alan and I both feel physically tired from the back to back flights from Mumbai to Singapore to Perth. The time difference is still with our body clock but we have unpacked our bags and put everything away (need more hangers for my sarees now). We are not quite ready to face the grind of work but at least have tomorrow to recover some more.

We were so happy to see Donovan at the airport. Fortunately for him, we made a very conscious effort not to buy anything that needed to be declared at Customs so we were out in a flash. He must be complimented on how clean he presented the house to us on our return. I told him not to worry about cleaning the alfresco area as that I could get to eventually but I was most impressed with how clean the main living areas were. Thank you Donny!

Donovan began to update us on all the happenings as soon as we arrived. His art performances, the funny and not so funny things which happened to him (but for the 3 of us, even the not so funny is always funny in retrospect, so you can imagine how much we were all giggling), the Ben Cousins (AFL player) drug-binge-sacking-fiasco, pre-election politicking and other local news. Alan and I will be bracing ourselves for work updates on Monday.

Typically of us though, the two small children are already beginning to talk about their next travelling adventure to India in 2009. And perhaps a short trip somewhere else in 2008. (Nadia - when you are right, you are so right!)

Love you, love you, love you all. In M*A*S*H tradition we say - Goodbye, Farewell & Amen. (for now!)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193222040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193222040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193222040/tpod.html Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:15:18 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Jodhpur, India

Thanks to everyone who either smsed or emailed or replied to this blog ... I am finally feeling like me again. Been in bed for more than 24 hours. Poor Alan had to go to dinner on his own last night, I forced him to. He wanted to stay with me but he had already made reservations and paid so I wanted him to go. He was back in like an hour and a half and the report was, considering all the hype and expense, it was not worth it tastewise and even the view at night was not as he had expected considering how amazing it looked during the day.

I've spent so much time sleeping that now I feel like I have to practice walking around and talking to people again! Not taking anymore anti-Malaria tablets - made the same decision on our first trip, somehow on the second one it wasn't as bad. The pain and fire in my head was just really scary. My fever finally broke around 8pm last night, but I've been listless. Serene and Nads ... you will know for sure that I was really bad because I actually turned off the TV during one of Shah Rukh's interviews on Om Shanti Om! My eyes were hurting so badly I could barely keep them open to look at him! ahahahahahahhaahhahahaha But he did look really hot in a t-shirt and jeans! That much I can tell you.

Pal Haveli, what can I tell you about our gorgeous old haveli? Thank goodness we'd had such a lovely room so at least my stay in Jodhpur has been pleasantly relaxing despite my illness. I must show you a view of the ceiling - which is what I saw a lot of while lying in bed! And the food that they serve is beautiful! Some of the best kebabs we've had this trip so far. As you can see, being ill has not dampened my greed and appreciation of Indian food.

Speaking of Indian food ... I've been wondering, why do Indian familes when they go out for a meal - head out for Indian food? Isn't it what they cook at home anyway? I've watched them in quizzical amazement as they call out their orders, without even looking at the menus because it just rolls off their tongues. And they are demanding customers as well, they have the waiters running to get them this and that throughout the meal. Just an observation.

Tomorrow we leave for Udaipur. I am really looking forward to this place because it has been called the Venice of India. It is supposed to be really romantic and Alan has already found some great romantic restaurants for us to eat at! ahahhahahaha. Poor fella, today we were supposed to go to Umaid Bawan which is where Liz Hurley had her wedding ceremony. It's the palace where the present Maharajah of Jodphur and his family live. I kept saying to him to go without me but such a darling he said several times ... "This is the travelling story of TWO small children not one." *bbsigh!*

On our way to Udaipur, we will be stopping at a Jain temple which sounds like it's really very special. This will break our journey and hopefully will help in me not feeling too drained.

Oh and I must make a mention of Vicky the road-side omelette guy. He is 21, Donovan's age. He is really a world class sticky beak and supernice guy! Alan went to get brekky this morning and witnessed him getting scolding from an auto-rickshaw driver because he helped a Danish couple with un-biased information on guest-houses. You know over here everything works on commission for most people. Vicky does not operate that way. After the scolding he just smiled and told Alan, "I'm only helping people, nothing to do with me about his commission, yaar." He gets through about 700 - 800 eggs a day making omelettes, french toast, fried eggs etc working 13 - 14 hours a day. His father who runs the shop next to him works 18 hour days. His sister works in a beauty salon during the day and after hours takes in sewing and does mehendi on hands for women. Such hard working people.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193864160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193864160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193864160/tpod.html Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:06:13 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Munnar, India

We arrived in Munnar yesterday afternoon just after 1pm. It's like being in a different country! It's a massive mountain range with tea and cardamom plantations, gum adn rubber trees and literally hundreds of waterfalls and cascades. We were like kids in a candy store on our way up to the Olive Brook where we are spending 3 nights. We did not know which way to turn our heads. Green and fresh, this place is teeming with life. The sky is very blue and it's so cool and clean.

Been thinking since yesterday how to describe it to all of you. Take the Blue Mountains in NSW, add slopes upon slopes upon slopes of tea plants (10,000 hectares is just tea) which look like topiary bushes. Add women in saris plucking the tea leaves. Add little streams and waterfalls, over flowing dams and the sounds of water, add a few elephants, add goats and other farm animals, add little chai stalls, add the smell of spices and tea - multiply those thoughts several times because this place is massive ... you get Munnar.

Olive Brook is a little place with just 5 cottages under one roof. They over-feed us breakfast and dinner. Lunch is elsewhere as we go sightseeing. At 7pm before dinner, we have cooking lessons in their kitchen. It's so much fun. We have become friendly with 2 lots of French co-visitors. A family of 4 and a young couple. We've eaten all our meals together and we went sightseeing all day today. They leave tomorrow but others have already checked in so we'll be meeting more people at the cooking class.

Observations of the people, okay this is interesting. Firstly, remember how I had mentioned that Alan and I think the women in Rajasthan move as if they are floating, with such a sensuality about them? The women here are different. They are more rotund in shape and definately do not glide. We have a theory for this. It's all that coconut oil and coconut milk here!

The cooking is very different as well. The food has a different smell and even the textures are different. They use much more spices in their cooking. Personally, I find for example the briyani to be too flavoured - just in half a serving I had 10 cardamoms, 3 star anise, cinnamon barks galore and the fragrance of rose water! Of course, it's very clean and green here as it rains all the time. The cows feed on healty grass and so they are fat and healthy looking! ahahahahahahahahah. And there are many Catholics. Churches galore, statues in glass enclosures all over the place, businesses and vehicles have religious slogans or names.

We went to a tea factory today. The guide started talking and we all assumed he was speaking in either Tamil or Malayalam. Then we began to recognise one or 2 English words. Hmmmmmm, yes - the bugger was speaking in English with the strongest Tamil accent imaginable. Even a couple from Mumbai were looking at us as if to say "What is he saying???" ahahahahahahah it was very funny. Plus he was the height of action-packed. He moved dramatically, kept raising his voice, pausing for effect and even took a mobile phone call in between, making 20 of us wait for his return. That however did give all of us an opportunity to say "Is he speaking English?" "Can you understand him?" ahahahahahahahah

Last night we learnt how to cook Malabar Fish Curry. Tonight its Cashew Paneer (like Ricotta Cheese with a cashew sauce) Yuuuuuuum! And oh yes ... of course we have put on weight ... harlow!!! Alan has put on 3 kgs - he weighed himself on a tea weighing machine. As for me ... dare not weigh myself for fear that I will stop eating altogether. Please I still have 17 days of eating and I'm not stupid! ahahahahahah

Love you all ... this place only had dial-up connection - helluva slow!!!! So you may not hear from me until we get to Cochin.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193474220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193474220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193474220/tpod.html Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:58:08 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Udaipur, India

We've been going from one lovely restaurant to the next but did not realise what a lovely little place we have in our hotel just above our own room! ahahahahahahah typical. So today, we sat there and had our masala omelettes and sipped chai as we planned our day.

First off, we went back to the City Palace complex again and we were wondering why there were so many people around at 9.30am. Silly us, today is Saturday (lost track of the days). Scores of people were visiting the Palace, but we were only going thru in order to get to the boat ramps on the other side of the Palace gates.. After queing for tickets, and having the goras behind us scold the Indians who were trying to jump the queue and me telling them, on over-hearing the hubby keep telling his wife to buy the guide-book, not to because it wasn't worth it - we finally got our tickets and off we went! As always everything has a dash of confusion here.

We had to go thru like seven security check-points! ahahahahhahaha I tell you this is just to keep the people in employment and you must see the faces, very blank - I summise that it's because they are bored, really nothing to do except stand around. We finally arrived at the ramps. The surrounding gardens were gorgeous, there was nobody around, and the morning was cool and beautiful. At times like this, I have to ask myself "Are we really in India, still?".

The ride on the lake gave us good perspectives of all the havelis, the palaces and other sights that surround Lake Pichola. There were only about 10 of us on board but there was a wild scamper and a flurry of camera clicking noises as we all kept moving around taking shots. There was a French man who also had the Canon 40D, and Alan tried to make conversation with him b4 the boat took off, but he was as unfriendly as all the other French people we have met here! Oh well, he missed out on our great company! ahhaahahahhaahhaahah

Must tell you about Savage Garden. Hmmmmm ... how Aussie can you get? On our first night here we went into a shop and the guy who owns it put us in touch with so many great contacts. His family also runs cafes, a guest-house with a gym/sauna/spa (and posters of Bollywood stars on the walls ... Serene, I threathened to run off with the wall mount of SRK!!) and this Savage Garden Restaurant.

*bbsigh* we have been there twice for meals already. It is a small converted haveli that is a bit like a terrace house with a very narrow-laned entrance. Inside it's funky Indian in decor. The main courtyard is a deep blue with Indian red doors and a huge banana like green palm tree (very healthy) and a massive bouganvillea. The walls went up 3 stories and there were 2 staircases that took you up to the upper floors. Gorgeous lah!!!!! And to add to that - they serve PASTA! ahahahahahahh I've had ravioli twice already. Alan's tried other Italian stuff. It was a lovely change from all the masalas! And so cheap, with drinks it cost around $4.50 each.

Last night someone asked me if I was here for 'filming'? ahahahahahhahaha We thought that was hilarious. They have strange ways to get your attention. The classic one was when one of them asked Alan if he knew how to tune a guitar! We just cracked up! We are also known by some of the people as "Princess Couple" - what the hell is that supposed to mean? And there is one guy who keeps insisting he must design something special for Alan. He has a really ugly white pin-stripe suit covered in dust in his shop window - so maybe he wants to give Alan a dusty look. Speaking of looks, since Alan has been keeping his beard, just about everyone now says to him he looks Indian. He even has had people ask for help at this internet shop and at our hotel. Must be thinking he's the thamby (peon)!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193325180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193325180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/judicia/holiday_2007/1193325180/tpod.html Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:31:57 -0500 The Travelling Story of Two Small Children - Part Three

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Udaipur, India

It took ages to get here! We left Jodhpur at 9am and finally arrived at 5pm. The journey was pretty amazing and we enjoyed most of it. It was semi arid landscape at the start and then thru mountain passes. Let me tell you all about it ....

We were part of a traffic jam that involved ... wait for this ... at least 400 trucks! Yes, you read that right, 400 BIG TRUCKS that moved very very SLOOOWLLLY!! We eventually over took most of them before veering off thru beautiful country-side. The villages were clean and serene looking, and children waved at us as we drove past. The village women were amazing, I love the way they go about their work clad in the most striking coloured georgettes and wearing bangles up to their armpits, practically. Doing heavy work like carrying large pots or bundles of firewood on their heads, or axes and pitchforks on their shoulders ... despite this, many smiled at me from behind their veils. It was so lovely. If you could just see the grace with which they move. It's like they float and their hips are almost hypnotic in their sway.

Unfortunately we had to stop at a crappy overpriced lunch place, which did have the cleanest public toilets I've seen in India so far. I guess we paid for the cleanliness. Five minutes away was the largest Jain Temple in all of India. Within it was over 1400 pillars - each of them differently carved out of marble, all symetrical and intricate.

We had the good fortune to meet the high priest, who is the 17th generation of high-priests. He was too good looking and young to be a high-priest and at first I thought, is this guy for real? But then we met his mother and sister, who was also very good looking and it was obvious he was in charge as the people around had great respect for him. His father was dead and so the role had been handed down to him. He took us on a tour. How lucky are we? I know we both said that Khajuraho had the best temples. True. But this single temple had an interior that surpassed anything we've ever seen. And we have seen many, many temples. There was so much natural light. It was cool inspite of the heat outside and it was massive - with many levels. It had 4 altars facing NSEW. It had a carving of the 5 elements represented by a figure with one head and 5 bodies. It sounds grotesque but really it worked! There was also a carving of a single cobra that just went on and on and on in twists and turns around the whole carving - the patterns it made was very much like the Buddhist Endless Knot. And of course the various deities, elephants etc.

Then ... we went thru a winding gorgeous mountain pass. Ai-yooohhh! It was worth driving just for the views. It was breath taking, considering we had not too long b4 passed semi arid plains and now there was all this cool green.

But wait, there's more ... we then went thru a whole pass that was being blasted. Using detonators and explosives! Alan explained that surely they would stop traffic b4 they blew things up - if they remembered! Ahhhh, India is such a blast. You should have seen the loose boulders piled along the steep slopes, they looked like they could come down on us at any time.

The last hour of our journey was difficult and I was rather ill in the car. The ride was bumpy and windy. But Udaipur ... the thought of it kept me going.

Wait till tomorrow ... we will tell you about this beautiful city! We are in love with it! Just had dinner like bloody royalty in such a romantic setting. And it was cheaper than that stupid place we had to stop at for lunch that had the clean toilets. ARGHHHHH!!! Plus it's the full moon tonight and they even had fireworks ... for us!
]]>