But apparently there is a hairless ape in Bangkok that does.
Enough said.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Temples of Dhoom!
We didn't actually visit the temple of doom but I see the word Dhoom used a lot here. For example, just about every city has a Hotel Dhoom. Not too appealing is it? Anyways, since the last post Kat and I made our way from Mumbai to Aurangabad. Aurangabad is a nice city on the smaller side. We found a great hotel near the train station. The main attraction of this area is the Ellora and Adjunta caves. They're two seperate sights that house the largest monolithic structures in the world. Basically they're huge temples that are cut directly out of the mountain - and they are damn impressive! We spend a day at each site and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Then we caught yet another overnight train back to Mumbai. We visited Elephanta Island which is another sight of temple/caves. The only problem is that we had just done that for two days alraedy so we were pretty burned out on caves. But the boat ride out to the island was great! I guess I can say I've sailed the Arabian Sea now, but I don't know if that's one of the seven seas or not.
I have a friend from work (Dev) who lives in Mumbai that was kind enough to put Kat and I up for the night. He was in incredible host! Thanks Dev! We spent some time walking around his neighborhood and visited Juhu Beach at sunset for some great dinner. It is a very nice beach and the food we had was excellent.
Kat and I caught a flight from Mumbai last night and now we're in Bangkok. I should have known better but we flew Air India. Talk about a crappy airline! Our flight left over 2 hours late and they kept switching the gate number of the board. So an entire airplane of people, actually only half an airplane because it was only half full, was in complete confusion. And the ass that worked the check-in counter was not any help to everyone. It's no wonder that Air India couldn't fill their plane. But the food was actually pretty good. I'd definetly say better than what's served on the US flights.
Then we caught yet another overnight train back to Mumbai. We visited Elephanta Island which is another sight of temple/caves. The only problem is that we had just done that for two days alraedy so we were pretty burned out on caves. But the boat ride out to the island was great! I guess I can say I've sailed the Arabian Sea now, but I don't know if that's one of the seven seas or not.
I have a friend from work (Dev) who lives in Mumbai that was kind enough to put Kat and I up for the night. He was in incredible host! Thanks Dev! We spent some time walking around his neighborhood and visited Juhu Beach at sunset for some great dinner. It is a very nice beach and the food we had was excellent.
Kat and I caught a flight from Mumbai last night and now we're in Bangkok. I should have known better but we flew Air India. Talk about a crappy airline! Our flight left over 2 hours late and they kept switching the gate number of the board. So an entire airplane of people, actually only half an airplane because it was only half full, was in complete confusion. And the ass that worked the check-in counter was not any help to everyone. It's no wonder that Air India couldn't fill their plane. But the food was actually pretty good. I'd definetly say better than what's served on the US flights.
Friday, October 10, 2008
A colorful few days...
After our amazing stay in Jaislmer Kat and I boarded yet another train to Jodphur. Since we only had the day in this city we stowed our bags near the train station and headed out to explore this city. Our expectations were low, after all this was just a train stop on the way to Mumbai, but we were quickly corrected. Jodphur houses a giant fort and palace on a rocky hilltop above the modern city. We tuk-tuked up to the top and took an audio tour of the fort. It followed the Rajastani style in that it was extravagant, elegant, but also bold. The walls were tall and thick but the interior buildings held many couryards full of ornate sandstone carvings. I have some great pictures to upload later!
The other highlight of this day, well maybe more for me than Kat, was the Omelet Man! Just outside the bazaar is a stand that sells omelets and toast. It's really just an egg sandwich but after almost 3 weeks of curry it was a life saver! I walked up to his stand and he immediatly pulled out 2 buckets for kat and I to sit on while he told us that he splits 6,000 eggs a day! His food was delicious and he sold a local cola called Black Horse that only cost 5 rupees (10 cents!!!). Great tasting food for cheap is pretty much my favorite thing in life so this was an amazing experience for me! But I'm sure Kat will be rolling her eyes when she reads this...
After Jodhpur Kat and I took another train to Mumbai. What an expensive city! I guess I should have expected this but it still hurts the budget. But it's also a very western city by Indian standards, which is a great change for Kat and I. It means that she doesn't get lewd stares as often, she can wear a skirt, and we can hold hands in public! These may sound like small things but it definitely raises our comfort.
Last night Kat and I had a very unique experience. We made our way to Chowpatty Beach to watch the burning of a statue. The beach was packed with viewers and there was a stage set up that was acting our some scene involving Hindu gods. Anyways, we were walking home from dinner afterwards very near the Gate of India and we heard music. Upon closer inspection we saw a pier that was housing what we thought was a wedding. We walked up to the well guarded gate just to ask what was going on inside but they quickly ushered us in without explanation - we thought we were about to crash a wedding! But it turns out it was a dance party to celebrate the last day the 9 day festival of navratri! It was a very wholesome dance party where everyone in the family dances. There was dancing in circles and a dance that involves sticks. The people were so accepting they basically forced Kat, myself, and a German couple we met to dance. They taught us how to do it and we had SUCH a great time with them! They were so friendly and accepting and I think they loved that Kat and I enjoyed their festival so much.
The other highlight of this day, well maybe more for me than Kat, was the Omelet Man! Just outside the bazaar is a stand that sells omelets and toast. It's really just an egg sandwich but after almost 3 weeks of curry it was a life saver! I walked up to his stand and he immediatly pulled out 2 buckets for kat and I to sit on while he told us that he splits 6,000 eggs a day! His food was delicious and he sold a local cola called Black Horse that only cost 5 rupees (10 cents!!!). Great tasting food for cheap is pretty much my favorite thing in life so this was an amazing experience for me! But I'm sure Kat will be rolling her eyes when she reads this...After Jodhpur Kat and I took another train to Mumbai. What an expensive city! I guess I should have expected this but it still hurts the budget. But it's also a very western city by Indian standards, which is a great change for Kat and I. It means that she doesn't get lewd stares as often, she can wear a skirt, and we can hold hands in public! These may sound like small things but it definitely raises our comfort.
Last night Kat and I had a very unique experience. We made our way to Chowpatty Beach to watch the burning of a statue. The beach was packed with viewers and there was a stage set up that was acting our some scene involving Hindu gods. Anyways, we were walking home from dinner afterwards very near the Gate of India and we heard music. Upon closer inspection we saw a pier that was housing what we thought was a wedding. We walked up to the well guarded gate just to ask what was going on inside but they quickly ushered us in without explanation - we thought we were about to crash a wedding! But it turns out it was a dance party to celebrate the last day the 9 day festival of navratri! It was a very wholesome dance party where everyone in the family dances. There was dancing in circles and a dance that involves sticks. The people were so accepting they basically forced Kat, myself, and a German couple we met to dance. They taught us how to do it and we had SUCH a great time with them! They were so friendly and accepting and I think they loved that Kat and I enjoyed their festival so much.Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Hari Boonbari, Camel-a Safari!
Today Kat and I got back from our much anticipated camel safari! We did a two-day-and-one-night trip into the desert on camels! We booked a great one with our hotel that took us out to a lesser known area and it paid off. We didn't see another camel group the entire time. Most of the landscape was desert scrubland but we did get through a couple of sand dune areas. The dunes are pretty fun on a camel because they really get moving on the downhill side of a dune! Camels are extrodinarily weird creatures. They have really long legs, huge eyes, and they make the strangest gargling yelping sounds imagineable. Luckily none of us were bitten or spit on the entire trip.
Our guides cooked an excellent dinner for us over the fire complete with Chai. We started having some fun with our two fellow travellers with the camera at night and came up with some pretty wild photos like the one shown that Kat so artfully drew. The youngest camel boy especially had fun dancing around at night with the flashlights! After we settled down a bit the camel guides sang some wonderful songs. We slept on blankets under the stars - it was probably the only night in India that we actually have to have a blanket to stay warm.
The other great view in Jaisalmer is the city fort. It's actually endangered right now due to poor water management (get on this Frei!) and it's doomed to self destruction soon. It's a shame because it's beatiful and it's really the crown jewel of this great city. The intricate work done in sandstone makes this city truly unique. Also, the hospitality and generosity of the people of Rajastan has been unrivaled so far in India. I realize this sounds hokey, but this is pretty unique for us so far in India so it is a very welcome change.Tomorrow we board the train for Jodphur and then Mumbai!
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