Feb 4, 2019 - Keralan Backwaters Cruise

Drive to Aleppy for Backwater cruise in a traditional rice barge, or kettuvallam. Rice barge is built from Jackfruit logs lashed together with coconut fibre and poled along the river. Kumarakom, an island on Vembanad Lake, is reached by the backwaters. Staying at The coconut Lagoon on the shore of the lake, only accessible by boat.

Feb 3, 2019 - Tour Cochin

Tour of Jew Town, St Francis Church and the Chines Fishing Nets. The synagogue built in 1568, rebuilt in 1664. St Francis Church 1503, first European Church in India built by the Portuguese Admiral Albuquerque. Chinese Fishing nets line N shore of Fort Kochi, gaceful sight suspended from their arched poles. Possible excursions: Dhobi Ghats Kathakali Dance studio.

Feb 2, 2019 - Coonoor to Coimbatore. Train to Ernakulam, Kochi.

Drive to Coimbatore, second largest city in Tamil Nadu. Rail journey on Ernakulam Express to Ernakulam. Cochin (Kochi): spread across islands between the Arabian Sea and the Keralan backwaters. Evidence of Portuguese, Dutch, British settlers and the Chines (fishing nets). Staying in Eighth Bastion, set in the heart of Fort Kochi. The ancient streets are home to the Mattancherry Palace, the old spice warehouses, the Jewish Synagogue and many churches.

Jan 28, 2019 - Mysore to Kabini and Nagarhole National Park

To the Serai Kabini, cottages in the small village of Karapura between Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur N.P. Kabini, an area encircled by the Kabini River, is home to leopard, antelope, crocodile, tiger, cobra, python, gaur (Indian Bison) and herds of elephant! Wild life viewing.

Jan 27, 2019 - Mysore

Heritage walk in Mysore to see the maharaja's contributions to the city and the later colonial influence of the British. Town Hall 1884 Historic avenues The fort, Mysore Park The iconic Mysore Palace 125 year-old market - sweets, flowers, fruits and natural incense Half day visit to Maharajah's Palace - Hindu and Saracenic architecture. Evening food our Evening visit to Maharajah's Palace illuminated by over 1,000 light bulbs

Jan 26, 2019 - Bangalore to Mysore

We meet the rest of the group who have arrived today. Drive to Mysore visiting the island fortress of Snirangapatnam on the way. The fort was besieged twice by the British. Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, was present oat the second siege in 1799. Tipu's painted palace. Gumbaz, the family mausoleum of the 18th century rulers, Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, 'The Tiger of Mysore'. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel with the backdrop of the magnificent Chamundi Hills.

Nov 29, 2018 - Living Large at the Leela

Days 14, 15 & 16 Living Large at the Leela When we booked this trip, I had a funny feeling that we might be sufficiently overwhelmed at the end of two weeks. We declined an option through Brand g to go on with them for a couple of days to visit the spiritual city of Varanasi and decided to end our trip with a couple of decompression days at a hotel in Delhi. We chose the Leela Palace in the Diplomatic Enclave part of the city mostly based on location. Turned out to be just what we needed to relax without a set schedule every day. The Leela...

Nov 27, 2018 - We’ll Always Have the Taj

Day 13: Agra - New Delhi We’ll Always Have the Taj I admit it; I’m a sucker for a good love story and lots of drama. Add that to the architectural marvel of one of the seven wonders of the modern world, and I didn’t have a chance. I fell in love with the Taj Mahal. The back story, in my own words, is that the Emperor, Shah Jahan, loved his third wife, Mumtaz, so much that when she died giving birth to her 14th child in 1631, he was a mess. Rumor has it that his hair turned gray overnight, and he started building her mausoleum the next...

Nov 26, 2018 - Karma Happens

Day 12: Jaipur - Agra Karma Happens Our long bus ride to Agra was actually quite fun. I enjoyed watching the parade of farm land with its rows of cabbage and other green crops being tended by mostly women. Restaurants with clever names like “Eating and Meeting,” fruit and grocery vendor stands, and the omnipresent cow broke up the monotony. Small shops popped up on the highway in front of modest villages tucked just behind. Still lots of motorcycles and scooters honking and beeping with abandon but at a much reduced volume than in the major...

Nov 25, 2018 - The Pink City

Day 11: Jaipur The Pink City I know what you’re thinking. But no. Jaipur is not known as the Pink City because a boatload of gay men and 2 lesbians visited there. The real story is that it’s due to the pinkish color of the stone used in construction of all buildings. That plus the fact that the Maharaja in 1876 decided to paint the whole town pink to welcome Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales on their first tour there. Since then it’s become the law; no matter how many queens come over. The city’s “must see” sight is Amber Fort....

Nov 22, 2018 - The Motherhouse

Day 10: Kolkata The Motherhouse I fully admit that I didn’t know a lot about Mother Teresa before this trip. Sure, I knew that she worked with the poor in Kolkata, but that’s about it. The tour to her mission today, known as the Motherhouse, changed all that. We started with a visit to her tomb and then walked upstairs to visit the room where she lived, worked, and died. At first I was thinking that she and I had a lot in common, and I could probably do what she did. Then I read the sign that explained how she refused to get a fan even...

Nov 21, 2018 - It’s All About Color

Day 9: Mayapur - Chandernagore- Kolkata It’s All About Color I’ve been fascinated with the caste system in India ever since I read the book, A Fine Balance. It gave me a glimpse into a world unknown where one’s station in life is set forever just by virtue of your last name. Sumit’s lecture today expanded my understanding to include the history and the current status of this system only found in Hindu culture. Arranged marriages are still very much a thing here although modern times do allow for an occasional love match. Sumit cracked...