# 118 Hawa Mahal

Namaste

A very quick note "live" from India.  OMG is all I have to say.  What an incredible country!  No more Internet time so thanks for reading.  

“We begin today’s discoveries with a view of the exterior of Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).  This is actually not a place, but rather a facade of 956 delicate, honeycombed sandstone windows used by the ladies of the palace to watch the outside world without being seen.

Next, we’ll explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort-Palace.  the Fort is a stunning and well-preserved 16th century structure, built on four levels.  

Among its many splendors is the Sheesh Mahal, a small room whose ceiling, covered with tiny mirrors, looks like a sky filled with brilliant stars. Here, in Rajput times, a dancing girl held candles during a dance of love for her Maharaja.”  (Maybe I’ll try that with Rob) 

“Dinner is with an Indian family for a Home-Hosted Dinner.”

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #118 of 7777.

# 117 Jantar Mantar

Namaste

"In the morning, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jaipur.

We see the Jantar Mantar, a remarkable astronomical and astrological observatory built in the 18th century.  The giant sundials here are still accurate to two-tenths of a second.  Then we go on to the City Palace Museum, filled with an array of textiles, arms, carpets, paintings and manuscripts."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #117 of 7777.

# 116 The "Pink City"--Jaipur

Namaste

"After breakfast, we’ll fly to Jaipur, called the “Pink City” for the rosy hue of its sandstone buildings. Upon arrival we’ll eat lunch at a local restaurant before checking into our hotel and enjoying a walking tour of Jaipur’s walled Old City."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #116 of 7777.

#115 New Delhi

Namaste  

Highlights of New Delhi.

"The British laid out the broad, tree-lined avenues and neat street grid of New Delhi (in contrast to the narrow alleyways of the old part of the city).  Our explorations begin by visiting Qutab Minar, a spectacular example of Indo-Islamic architecture topped by a 234-foot-high tower.  Begun in the twelfth century, this is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and the symbol of New Delhi.

Our tour of the former “Imperial City” continues which serves as the center of government for the world’s largest democracy.  We’ll see the buildings of India’s Parliament and (from the outside) the residence of India’s President, a Gate, where a popular park surrounds a memorial to Indian soldiers who served Great Britain in World War I and Britain’s 19th-century war in Afghanistan."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #115 of 7777.

#114 Old Delhi

Namaste

"We begin discovering Delhi by visiting Old Delhi.  Even when Bombay and Madras were mere trading posts and Calcutta a village of mud huts Delhi had been the seat of an empire for 500 years.  Through the centuries, eight cities have been built on this site by Hindu, Mughal and British rulers—with each adding their own flavor.

In the old part of Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, a beautifully serene monument.  This is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and we will see an impressive shrine to India’s best-known statesman.  Next, after visiting the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, we take a short ride by rickshaw through the crowded lanes of the Chandni Chowk bazaar."

From OAT

Dhanyavaad for reading #114

#113 We're Here!

Namaste

We have arrived in Delhi, India.  Our leader hopefully will have met us and escorted us to our hotel.  We left at 8:05 AM from San Francisco, arrived in Newark at 4:35 PM and then departed for New Delhi at 8:35 PM and landed 14 hours and 15 minutes later, nonstop, in India.  No idea what time it is for my body but will look forward to a nice long nap.  The time change is 13 1/2 hours from San Francisco. ZZZZZzzzzzz

Dhanyavaad for reading # 113 of 7777.

#112 Flying the skies

Namaste (Hello),

And we are off! The next twenty-three days will be a bit of a travelogue on our adventure to India.  My sweet daughter will be posting for me so I will not miss one of my 7777 entries.  All entries are right from our OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) travel book so it will be somewhat of an accurate account of our daily adventures.  Our travel book states: "Part of the adventure of travel in India is the distinct possibility that things may change--which may make it impossible for us to follow this trip itinerary exactly."  In other words, don't get your undies tied up in a bunch if your favorite destination may be altered. I get it--flexibility. 

I will give it my old college try to send pictures if we ever get to an internet.  

Dhanyavaad (thank you) for reading # 112 of 7777.