HOME SWEET HOME!

Jay picked me up at the airport at 9:30 am. Fifteen hour flight from Delhi to Newark. Exhausted of course but what an awesome trip I had! Very glad to be home safely!

AGRA-DELHI

5:15 am. We left hotel for Taj Mahal sunrise shoot. We were one of the first in line to ensure a good spot to photograph. We weren't the only ones lined up. In the early morning the light reflects off the marble to give a magnificent hue. Truly beautiful!! After breakfast we headed to the Red Fort in Agra. Interesting architecture and nice light inside. Then we bussed it back to Delhi. About a 4 1/2 hr drive on a "highway." Very bumpy!! Arrived back to hotel where our trip began. After dinner we'll head to the Delhi airport. My flight to Newark leaves at 11:30 pm tonight. Arrive in Tampa tomorrow morning at 9:30 am. Oh what a day!! Can't wait to see Jay at TIA!!! and sleep in my own bed tomorrow night!! It's been an amazing, magical trip to India!!! Until next time, happy trails....

JAIPUR-AGRA

Early morning we drove to Agra for 5 hours. En route we visited Abhaneri, a village that has a step well.  From there we continued to Agra. In the evening, we visited the backside of the Taj Mahal. Barbed wire fence for protection. Tomorrow morning we are going to the front of the Taj Mahal at 5:15 am for sunrise. The city of Agra is very busy and has a lot of air pollution. There's a heavy haze over the city and it's bothering my lungs.

Overnight in the Hotel Taj Gateway Hotel. Very nice hotel!

JAIPUR

We explored Jaipur, the Pink City, today. In the morning we visited the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-story structure of pink sandstone with delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. Colorful bazaars lined the street. Carts and buggies whizzed by along with the cars and busses. Then we visited Amber Fort, the hilltop fortress/palace seven miles north of Jaipur. Saw lots of local tourists, school children and even a snake charmer.

Overnight in the Hotel Narain Niwas Palace (pictured below).

PUSHKAR-JAIPUR

Another early mooring shoot at Pushkar. 6 am to 8 am. More great experiences. After breakfast and a shower at camp we drove three hours to the city of Jaipur. Afternoon free to relax.

Overnight in the Hotel Narain Niwas Palace.

PUSHKAR

Left the tent camp at 5:45 am to get to the fair while it was still dark. Saw men sitting around fires to warm up. Quite chilly. As the sun rose we headed to the area where they buy and sell camels. The owners use their persuasive skills to buy and sell them at the most competitive prices. The early morning light was beautiful. Then we walked around sacred Lake Pushkar. We went on the rooftop of a hotel to photograph the Lake Pushkar as you aren't allowed the photograph the lake because it's holy. Saw hare krishna and wandering esthetic holy men called Sadhu. The Sadhu are covered in white ash. One Sadhu called Babba let us photograph him. For money of course. He claims he lifts weights with his penis. Strange ... Then we had breakfast in the town of Pushkar and wandered through the incredibly busy narrow streets. Everything you can imagine for sale. Thongs of people!!!! Lots of beggars. We headed back to camp about 1 pm (after a 7-hour outing). We rest in our cool tents in the heat of the day before going back to the fair at 4 pm to sunset. Karl (our trip leader) hired a couple of "models" to pose for us. What an experience!! Cocktails and appetizers (thanks to Patsy!!) before dinner in camp.

Overnight in the Deluxe Camp.