May 1, 2012 - India

Unforgettable experience of my trip to India India is such a diverse country that it is hard to put it into worlds. It is the land of snow covered mountains and sun bathed beaches, lush green forests and golden deserts. From north to south and east to west, there is so much diversity in everything, be it people, lifestyle, religion, customs and even cuisines. Every region has something special to offer. On one side you can explore the ancient temples and monuments, while on the other side there are high rise buildings and lavish hotels....

Apr 30, 2012 - Why are we going?

In a September morning of 2011 I prayed and searched online scriptures to learn more about fasting. I was 41 years old, was raised in a Christian family, read the scriptures about fasting and how often Jesus fasted in His life. Yet I had managed to never fast a day in my life. I wanted to know Christ in a new and deeper way. I hoped he would show me more of Himself by making a commitment to fast. Here is what I read that morning… 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the...

Apr 25, 2012 - Cochin to Munnar, Tall Trees

Hi, Munnar is beautiful. Dit is hoog in die berge, groen en mistig. Prentjie mooi, met teeplantasies en spice gardens. Die pad hierheen is net nie so oulik nie. Vat Kampsbaai se kronkelpad van die stad af en x dit met so 100km. Kronkelpad al die pad met die berg op en in. Asof dit nie genoeg is om blind om draaie te gaan en soos hulle maak, karre en trokke sommer om n draai verby te vat, word dit 'n enkelpad nog ook. Tall Trees is die mooiste plek in Indië sover, of te wel, Munnar. Die olifante het vlekke op hul ore. Goeie nuus! Ons het...

Apr 22, 2012 - Delhi to Agra, Jaypee Palace Hotel

Hi, Ons kan by die waar ons nou is, Hotel Jaypee, wifi koop vir so R16 vir 'n uur, maar ons kan net op 1 device inlog. Dus gaan Wiaan op sy tablet gaan, maar hy gaan probeer dat ek van die blackberry af message. Maar in case all else fails, kan ons vir die volgende uur kommunikeer deur mails. Eerstens: Ons is veilig in Agra. Tweedens: Ons is vreeslik moeg! Derdens: Die mense ry VERSKRIKLIK hierso! Ek was maar te dankbaar om aan die slaap te val elke keer in ons 5 ure rit van Delhi na Agra! More pak ons weer daardie padjie aan en hopelik...

Apr 10, 2012 - April 10 & 11 At Sea

Nothing much to report ~ worked out in the gym, went to afternoon tea for a fashion show, one night went to hear a new talent that came on board in Mumbai; Paul Adams, a comedian from the UK that wasn't very funny and went a lecture given by Maurice Dodson on Oman.

Apr 10, 2012 - Karjuraho, Agra, Jaipur,New Dehli, Amristar,Mumbai

KHARJURAHO A temple complex located 12 hours south of Varanasi by train. The temples here depict an age in India where they carved the karma sutra positions into the stone temples to supposedly educate the locals on sex. Bernie & Sharen spent quite some time studying these poses and wondered how they were humanly possible! Keith says they are…hmmm!! Khajuraho is a small village (20,000) built up around the temple complex. Most of these temples reminded us of the temples of Ankor Wat in Cambodia…they worshiped the same God (Vishnu) in the...

Apr 8, 2012 - farewell India

Our last night in Delhi we were back at the Aster Inn and they kindly upgraded us to a suite overlooking the road. While this might sound nice, the reality is constant noise from honking traffic and dogs barking all night and in the morning there was no hot water for the shower. Welcome to India! All holidays must come to an end and so has our adventure in India. We had an amazing time, so many wonderful experiences and a few not so great, but still memorable. India probably isn't everyone's cup of tea but it sure was ours for the 22 days...

Apr 8, 2012 - Mumbai, India (Bombay)

Mumbai April 8 Easter Sunday & Monday, Apri 9 Sunday April 8 ~ As dirty as Mumbai is, it has it's glamorous side and it's people are a lot of fun - all 20 million of them!  We arrived at 1:00 PM on Easter Sunday and after being cleared by the Indian Immigration authorities (we had to do a face to face meeting with our passports in hand), we were able to leave the ship and explore the city.  The port was pretty dirty and ugly. Seabourn had shuttle buses that took us to the ports security gates where we had to negotiate for cab service....

Apr 7, 2012 - Goa, India

Beach Day ~ Peter, the negotiator, worked his magic in finding us the taxi driver with the most knowledge of English by tricking them all with questions and eliminating the ones who gave the I correct answers. He asked "what day is tomorrow?" he got funny answers like "10 o'clock". We ended up with Ayub a pleasant young man. We asked to be driven along the beach coast making stops at various places. Our first stop was a typical beach that locals would go to,this is where we say sacred cows laying around - I thought that was so funny! Next...

Apr 7, 2012 - Kumar Parvata Trek - Arrival

April 7 5:00AM - We reached Subrahmanya, a small town, 270KM from Bangalore famous for Kukke Subrahmanya temple. It is said that Kukke Subrahmanya did his penance standing on Kumar parvata for 14 years. As soon as we reached Krishna (BMC co-ordinator) asked us to freshen up and get ready to leave for breakfast. There I found that we are total 36 people in the group who have come in 3 Tempo Traveller. The spot where we alighted was a place where pilgrims took their ablutions to go to temple. I moved on to find facilities where I can freshen...

Apr 6, 2012 - Mangalore, India - meeting Lhakpa and Kelsang

Today is Good Friday! And we have finally reached land after 4 days at sea!! We are off to the city to meet Lhakpa, my Tibetan Refugee I have been sending money to for her education and Kelsang, who is the older sister of Tsering who I am also educating. Tsering couldn't make the trip as she was still in school. Lhakpa is studying to be a nurse and Tsering is still in high school. Her sister Kelsang has told me that Tsering loves animals and might study something in the animal science genre. Mangalore is the administrative headquarters of...

Apr 6, 2012 - Rafting in Ladakh

My first impression of Ladakh was of a magnum opus and magnificent landscapes. The collective scenery of mountains, rivers, nature and culture made a collage so beautiful, that it was really my trip to this magical land a memorable experience. Before going there, I had only trekking on my to-do list of activities there but as me and my friends progressed into our trip, I was surprised by the degree of adventurous activities that Ladakh offered me. I was able to trek on beautiful and rugged terrains, visit a number of monasteries with a long...