part 19 of ...
OOTY
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
eagle
Can you spot the spotted deer?
Mommy and baby elephant
Reach for it...
Got it! :D
~ ~ ~
Refreshing coconuts!
banana trees
toilet huts
~ ~ ~
more coming soon....
Saturday 22 January 2011
Ooty: Giving thanks and sight-seeing
part 18 of ...
OOTY
Smyrna Home
The gentleman in the middle and on the right volunteer their time to run the Smyrna Orphanage . They help orphans and disabled children by providing a home and meals, and also make sure they receive an education by attending school. This place is an inspiration for selflessness and compassion.
This is a solar heater. They heat their water via solar power. Their
OOTY
Smyrna Home
The gentleman in the middle and on the right volunteer their time to run the Smyrna Orphanage . They help orphans and disabled children by providing a home and meals, and also make sure they receive an education by attending school. This place is an inspiration for selflessness and compassion.
This is a solar heater. They heat their water via solar power. Their
Friday 21 January 2011
Ooty: India back in the day.
part 17 of ...OOTY
Tribal Museum
We stopped by a tribal museum on the way back.
buttermilk churning sticks
spoons / ladels
The coolest skeleton in the museum.
Seems like I'd fit right in! ;)
~ ~ ~
Then we went to see descendants of the Toda tribe that still live according to their long-standing traditions.
She is the sweetest lady!
This little boy had a red toy car, and was checking
Tribal Museum
We stopped by a tribal museum on the way back.
buttermilk churning sticks
spoons / ladels
The coolest skeleton in the museum.
Seems like I'd fit right in! ;)
~ ~ ~
Then we went to see descendants of the Toda tribe that still live according to their long-standing traditions.
She is the sweetest lady!
This little boy had a red toy car, and was checking
Thursday 20 January 2011
Ooty: Drinking Tea and Hiking Mountains!
part 16 of ...
OOTY
Tea MuseumThey make tea here, but also hosts a museum for extra income.
Origin of tea: China
Tea was brought to Japan by a Buddhist priest.
Tea was eventually brought to Great Britain.
History of tips.
Hands down the cutest picture in the museum.
I don't have to tell you the health benefits of tea.
Onto the actual tea leaf-drying machines!
Happy Amjith with a bag of
OOTY
Tea MuseumThey make tea here, but also hosts a museum for extra income.
Origin of tea: China
Tea was brought to Japan by a Buddhist priest.
Tea was eventually brought to Great Britain.
History of tips.
Hands down the cutest picture in the museum.
I don't have to tell you the health benefits of tea.
Onto the actual tea leaf-drying machines!
Happy Amjith with a bag of
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Ooty: Governors, Flowers, and Herbs, oh my!
part 15 of ...OOTY
Governor's Residence
We received special permission to tour the building.
Formerly the British governor's residence, still used today.
gorgeous dance hall
Light shining through colored curtains.
Outside:
This is my favorite tree. I love how the leaves look like they are facing upwards.
Botanical Gardens
Australian Palm Tree - also one of my favorite
Governor's Residence
We received special permission to tour the building.
Formerly the British governor's residence, still used today.
gorgeous dance hall
Light shining through colored curtains.
Outside:
This is my favorite tree. I love how the leaves look like they are facing upwards.
Botanical Gardens
Australian Palm Tree - also one of my favorite
Tuesday 18 January 2011
Ooty: overview
part 14 of ...OOTY
Train rideWe took the night train and slept our way there. ;)
"Yosh, put your camera away and get on the train."
~ top bunks ~
Bank Guest HouseA gorgeous place, designed by Amjith's father!
inside:
Sights of Ooty
This place is famous for its tea and chocolates. Ooty is very hilly, and tea grows best on a slope. We bought lots of tea!
Many hills = Many
Train rideWe took the night train and slept our way there. ;)
"Yosh, put your camera away and get on the train."
~ top bunks ~
Bank Guest HouseA gorgeous place, designed by Amjith's father!
inside:
Sights of Ooty
This place is famous for its tea and chocolates. Ooty is very hilly, and tea grows best on a slope. We bought lots of tea!
Many hills = Many
Sunday 16 January 2011
Venganur - Appa's hometown
part 13 of ...
VENGANUR
Vettakudi Mariamman (temple of the family god - a female diety)
We decided to meet at the family temple.
The priest gifted me with a blessed sari.
Happily enjoying snacks.
Drying their own chili peppers.
Eating a special family meal.
Neighbor boys busy with their bikes.
L to R: Vikram, Usha-chithi, Radha-chithappa, Amjith, Yoshi, Vidhya
This is Amjith's father's
VENGANUR
Vettakudi Mariamman (temple of the family god - a female diety)
We decided to meet at the family temple.
The priest gifted me with a blessed sari.
Happily enjoying snacks.
Drying their own chili peppers.
Eating a special family meal.
Neighbor boys busy with their bikes.
L to R: Vikram, Usha-chithi, Radha-chithappa, Amjith, Yoshi, Vidhya
This is Amjith's father's
Saturday 15 January 2011
Kallakurichi - Amma's hometown
part 12 of ...KALLAKURICHI
Wonderful and sweet grandparents on his mother's side of the family.
Here, I heard stories about Amjith's childhood - like how he used to run around this house in his bare bottom. All. the. time.
A young coconut as part of the Pooja (Puja) room, in celebration of Pongal.
A lotus in their doorway - it's that great?!
Going up to the roof. Doesn't he look huggable?
Wonderful and sweet grandparents on his mother's side of the family.
Here, I heard stories about Amjith's childhood - like how he used to run around this house in his bare bottom. All. the. time.
A young coconut as part of the Pooja (Puja) room, in celebration of Pongal.
A lotus in their doorway - it's that great?!
Going up to the roof. Doesn't he look huggable?
Friday 14 January 2011
Pongal Celebration
part 11 of ...PONGAL: a harvest festival
Amma drew this elaborate scene! When Amjith was little, she drew this exact picture and he liked it so much he took a picture with it.
This is a Pooja (Puja) room, where offerings to the gods are made. The long poles are sugar canes.
Offering to the gods:In the bowl - sweet pongal. On the banana leaf - Rice with sambar, cut plantain flowers.
Amma drew this elaborate scene! When Amjith was little, she drew this exact picture and he liked it so much he took a picture with it.
This is a Pooja (Puja) room, where offerings to the gods are made. The long poles are sugar canes.
Offering to the gods:In the bowl - sweet pongal. On the banana leaf - Rice with sambar, cut plantain flowers.
Monday 10 January 2011
Having fun in Chennai
part 10 of ...
CHENNAI
Henna / Mehndi
Preethi making beautiful henna patterns on Susan's hands!
Waiting for the henna paste to dry.
Finished!
Cooking / Eating
Amjith's mother making dosa.
Susan and Amjith's favorite food!
yum!
Eating the dosa ~
Amjith's brother (Aaranyan) eating rice with sambar.
Tea time! (Abirami)
Preethi with tea.
Kolam
Patterns in front of the house are
CHENNAI
Henna / Mehndi
Preethi making beautiful henna patterns on Susan's hands!
Waiting for the henna paste to dry.
Finished!
Cooking / Eating
Amjith's mother making dosa.
Susan and Amjith's favorite food!
yum!
Eating the dosa ~
Amjith's brother (Aaranyan) eating rice with sambar.
Tea time! (Abirami)
Preethi with tea.
Kolam
Patterns in front of the house are
Sunday 9 January 2011
Northern India: Shopping & such!
part 9 of ...
Roaming the streets of Northern India
Visited a place where they made the semi precious stone inlay. We couldn't get him to tell us the "family secret," but he did show us a flower...
and then gracefully pulled it apart.
Our tour guide also took us to a place where they made woodblock prints. It was pretty neat!
The green colored block is for the outline, the yellow colored
Roaming the streets of Northern India
Visited a place where they made the semi precious stone inlay. We couldn't get him to tell us the "family secret," but he did show us a flower...
and then gracefully pulled it apart.
Our tour guide also took us to a place where they made woodblock prints. It was pretty neat!
The green colored block is for the outline, the yellow colored
Northern India: Jaipur
part 8 of ...
JAIPUR
Hawa Mahal("palace of wind")
Contrary to it's name, it is more of a wall than a palace. Back then, women were not allowed in public, so this wall was a place for them to stand behind and watch the happenings of the city. Built in 1799.
Us rebels - standing in FRONT of the wall! :)
~ ~ ~
Jantar-Manar
("instrument and formula")
An ancient observatory built by Maharaja Jai
JAIPUR
Hawa Mahal("palace of wind")
Contrary to it's name, it is more of a wall than a palace. Back then, women were not allowed in public, so this wall was a place for them to stand behind and watch the happenings of the city. Built in 1799.
Us rebels - standing in FRONT of the wall! :)
~ ~ ~
Jantar-Manar
("instrument and formula")
An ancient observatory built by Maharaja Jai
Saturday 8 January 2011
Northern India: Fatehpur Sikri
part 7 of ...
Fatehpur Sikri
(City of Victory)
photograph courtesy of Amitsalla, GNUFDL v1.2
Legend has it that Akbar made a pilgrimage to a renowned Sufi saint, Sheik Salim Chisti, to seek his blessings. The saint predicted that Akbar would have a son. Later, when Akbar had a son (Jahangir), he built Fatehpur Sikri as a tribute to the saint. The city was built from 1571 to 1573, and
Fatehpur Sikri
(City of Victory)
photograph courtesy of Amitsalla, GNUFDL v1.2
Legend has it that Akbar made a pilgrimage to a renowned Sufi saint, Sheik Salim Chisti, to seek his blessings. The saint predicted that Akbar would have a son. Later, when Akbar had a son (Jahangir), he built Fatehpur Sikri as a tribute to the saint. The city was built from 1571 to 1573, and
Northern India: Taj Mahal
part 6 of ...
Taj Mahal: A symbol of Love
We couldn't just walk into the Taj Mahal. We bought our tickets at a separate location, where they gave us complementary water and shoe covers.
Then, we took an electric vehicle to the entrance; the government's attempt to reduce pollution.
We went through security, as usual.
Outer gate.
We covered our shoes with cloth wraps.
It is common to
Taj Mahal: A symbol of Love
We couldn't just walk into the Taj Mahal. We bought our tickets at a separate location, where they gave us complementary water and shoe covers.
Then, we took an electric vehicle to the entrance; the government's attempt to reduce pollution.
We went through security, as usual.
Outer gate.
We covered our shoes with cloth wraps.
It is common to
Friday 7 January 2011
Northern India: Uttar Pradesh
part 5 of ...
UTTAR PRADESH
Sikandra
Akbar himself picked this location for the construction of his tomb. He died before it was completed, but his son, Jahangir, completed the building. The mausoleum of the Emperor Akbar was built from 1605-1613, before the Taj Mahal.
Each side of the wall has it's own gate - this is the south entrance. Notice the four white marble minarets. There are also
UTTAR PRADESH
Sikandra
Akbar himself picked this location for the construction of his tomb. He died before it was completed, but his son, Jahangir, completed the building. The mausoleum of the Emperor Akbar was built from 1605-1613, before the Taj Mahal.
Each side of the wall has it's own gate - this is the south entrance. Notice the four white marble minarets. There are also
Thursday 6 January 2011
Northern India: New Delhi
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px}
part 4 of ...
NEW DELHI
India Gate
This is the national monument of India. It commemorates all of the Indian soliders that fought during WWI and the Afghan Wars.
Here, our guide kept saying "Take pictures, take pictures!" after every bit of
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Happy 60th!
part 3 of ...
The main reason for visiting India this time was to celebrate Amjith's parents' wedding celebration. Typically, when a husband turns 60 years old, there is a renewal of wedding vows - a huge celebration!
~ ~ ~
Getting there: Amjith's father rented a bus to take us to Thirukkadaiyur, a holy place of Saivism. The bus ride was 6 hours - a ride full of friends and family! We were
The main reason for visiting India this time was to celebrate Amjith's parents' wedding celebration. Typically, when a husband turns 60 years old, there is a renewal of wedding vows - a huge celebration!
~ ~ ~
Getting there: Amjith's father rented a bus to take us to Thirukkadaiyur, a holy place of Saivism. The bus ride was 6 hours - a ride full of friends and family! We were
Sunday 2 January 2011
Fish pedicures, monolithic architecture, and rabbits just doing their job.
Part 2 of ...
We had lunch at a beautiful hotel by the beach. The buffet was delicious! Pictured below: an okra and onion dish, pasta dish, chickpea dish, and a little cup of fruit.
Here we saw a pool filled with "Doctor Fish" (Garra rufa). They are found in salons in certain places across the globe. We dipped our fingers in the pool to see if we were up for an actual pedicure!
Here the
We had lunch at a beautiful hotel by the beach. The buffet was delicious! Pictured below: an okra and onion dish, pasta dish, chickpea dish, and a little cup of fruit.
Here we saw a pool filled with "Doctor Fish" (Garra rufa). They are found in salons in certain places across the globe. We dipped our fingers in the pool to see if we were up for an actual pedicure!
Here the
Saturday 1 January 2011
An Indian Tale
Part 1 of ....
India, the exotic country of rich spices, brilliantly multi-colored saris, and said to be the 'heartbeat of the world'. This is my second trip, so I felt somewhat prepared and knew what to expect. Little did I know we were going to experience so much of India!
~ ~ ~
Let me begin by saying that we almost didn't make it to India. Our flight had a layover in Chicago and the UK.
India, the exotic country of rich spices, brilliantly multi-colored saris, and said to be the 'heartbeat of the world'. This is my second trip, so I felt somewhat prepared and knew what to expect. Little did I know we were going to experience so much of India!
~ ~ ~
Let me begin by saying that we almost didn't make it to India. Our flight had a layover in Chicago and the UK.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)