Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Monkey Temple
These were taken this morning and I'll blog it later however these are going up for Joe Potter, her mama, Ally and ricky.
xxx
xxx
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Jaipur!!!
This place is amazing, firstly - it's SO calm compared to bangalore - secondly we LOVE the hotel.. i did so good :)
We left the airport in Grandma Ferry's old car - it was such a blast - I felt like I was stepping back in time - and as I was laughing hysterically the driver started trying to assure me that 'car very safe madam, no need to worry'.. Buddy I know.. it's a TANK.. a tank which I attempted to drive at 17 and almost killed my poor grandma.
But back to the hotel - Not only does it have the most beautiful roof top bar overlooking the fort and the walled city (it also serves beer secretly shh) but on checkin the owner (Mr Singh) gave us this booklet on what we should do in - and its comprehensive - Ally would be so impressed.
The rooms are well appointed with TV, aircon, balcony, full sized fridge (which works unlike Bangalore), bathroom, comfy bed and the most beautiful decor I have seen. I could just stare at the ceiling all night. There is wireless internet (although tonight its down) and also a common room with high speed internet stations.
Did I mention the price? $10 each.. we're so happy we could actually stay here for the rest of the trip.
Pearl Palace Hotel - room 301 - I highly recommend it.
Pictures to be posted later today.
We left the airport in Grandma Ferry's old car - it was such a blast - I felt like I was stepping back in time - and as I was laughing hysterically the driver started trying to assure me that 'car very safe madam, no need to worry'.. Buddy I know.. it's a TANK.. a tank which I attempted to drive at 17 and almost killed my poor grandma.
But back to the hotel - Not only does it have the most beautiful roof top bar overlooking the fort and the walled city (it also serves beer secretly shh) but on checkin the owner (Mr Singh) gave us this booklet on what we should do in - and its comprehensive - Ally would be so impressed.
The rooms are well appointed with TV, aircon, balcony, full sized fridge (which works unlike Bangalore), bathroom, comfy bed and the most beautiful decor I have seen. I could just stare at the ceiling all night. There is wireless internet (although tonight its down) and also a common room with high speed internet stations.
Did I mention the price? $10 each.. we're so happy we could actually stay here for the rest of the trip.
Pearl Palace Hotel - room 301 - I highly recommend it.
Pictures to be posted later today.
Bangalore to Jaipur
The new airport is a dream, (pictures up soon) I love it and it free wireless - although we had to chat up Ricky and Amy for the pass code to be text to a phone. It's so freakin huge I couldn't believe the comparison to the old airport AND surprisingly enough, we had no issues..
Susan had a shocker of a flight, the girl doesn't like to fly as it is - however this one was particularly bad, not only did I reserve a seat at the front of the plane.. because you know I thought that was which survived in a crash but apparently I was wrong (kinda gettin used to that) - you HAVE to sit in the back of the plane. I was tempted to start talking about all the plane crashes I had seen or read about and how I was right.. as per usual .. however I didn't think that type of talk would help.
I actually wasn't going to elaborate on the flight, as its personal, however Susan insisted I mention it as she isn't blogging at present.
To top it off .. there is no alcohol.. I mean ANYWHERE.. not at the airport, nor on the plane - this was going to be a long 1h 40 min flight - I could tell.
We spent an extraordinary amount of time listening to music and singing - as if we were alone on the road trip again - I mean it wasn't like two girls with skirts and tank tops needed to draw any more attention to each other.
So we sang our way to Jaipur - or should I say I blasted her favourite tunes, practiced singstar and even threw in sound she loves oh so much whenever there was turbulence.. just because shes that good of a friend.
Its OK, I still have one good arm left.
Susan had a shocker of a flight, the girl doesn't like to fly as it is - however this one was particularly bad, not only did I reserve a seat at the front of the plane.. because you know I thought that was which survived in a crash but apparently I was wrong (kinda gettin used to that) - you HAVE to sit in the back of the plane. I was tempted to start talking about all the plane crashes I had seen or read about and how I was right.. as per usual .. however I didn't think that type of talk would help.
I actually wasn't going to elaborate on the flight, as its personal, however Susan insisted I mention it as she isn't blogging at present.
To top it off .. there is no alcohol.. I mean ANYWHERE.. not at the airport, nor on the plane - this was going to be a long 1h 40 min flight - I could tell.
We spent an extraordinary amount of time listening to music and singing - as if we were alone on the road trip again - I mean it wasn't like two girls with skirts and tank tops needed to draw any more attention to each other.
So we sang our way to Jaipur - or should I say I blasted her favourite tunes, practiced singstar and even threw in sound she loves oh so much whenever there was turbulence.. just because shes that good of a friend.
Its OK, I still have one good arm left.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Streets of Smiles
After we got back from Bannerghatta (yes its still Monday - i love this day..) and had some beers (kingfisher tallies) A and I went on an adventure.
Well actually we went to go to his hotel called villa porta potti or pottipatti as he had checked out with the only room key they actually had. On the way there and back we took a little couple of little diversions - other wise known as - lets get lost in Bangalore for a while - on purpose.
So we jumped the rickshaw and walked the streets for a bit.
we found this awesome market on the way back home - please don't ask where it is, I don't really know..
I saw these guys playing cricket and I was attempting to capture them but they saw me and had other ideas.. Ricky Ponting kind of made them smile - although some what quizzically - at me.
I feel in love with these boys, they saw me as I was photographing the sewerage/creek that they were playing near and just came running over.. they kept following us and calling out auntie, uncle - photo photo
This is probably the shot of the trip for me ..
with all the noise these guys came out on the balcony to watch, seriously it felt like we were almost famous.. being tall and fair I suppose helped!
And here is a boy with his school work..
Well actually we went to go to his hotel called villa porta potti or pottipatti as he had checked out with the only room key they actually had. On the way there and back we took a little couple of little diversions - other wise known as - lets get lost in Bangalore for a while - on purpose.
So we jumped the rickshaw and walked the streets for a bit.
we found this awesome market on the way back home - please don't ask where it is, I don't really know..
I saw these guys playing cricket and I was attempting to capture them but they saw me and had other ideas.. Ricky Ponting kind of made them smile - although some what quizzically - at me.
I feel in love with these boys, they saw me as I was photographing the sewerage/creek that they were playing near and just came running over.. they kept following us and calling out auntie, uncle - photo photo
This is probably the shot of the trip for me ..
with all the noise these guys came out on the balcony to watch, seriously it felt like we were almost famous.. being tall and fair I suppose helped!
And here is a boy with his school work..
The playground at Bannerghatta
We discovered something here.. children love having their photographs taken - here are just a couple
Snappers and WWJD
Let me introduce you to the crew..
These guys rock - Sho has made us laugh the whole time and has coined the phrase WWJD.
WWJD stands for 'What Would Jacqui Do' - this I find amazing as most of you know that the first thing I would do is a) quietly panic b) try to find a way out c) get a big glass of wine / vodka and d) (my favourite) check in to a first class hotel and cry!
Honduras
A in action
here they are..
These guys rock - Sho has made us laugh the whole time and has coined the phrase WWJD.
WWJD stands for 'What Would Jacqui Do' - this I find amazing as most of you know that the first thing I would do is a) quietly panic b) try to find a way out c) get a big glass of wine / vodka and d) (my favourite) check in to a first class hotel and cry!
Honduras
A in action
here they are..
Bannerghatta
We started early, with breakfast (fried eggs - they've almost got them right) and then went down to meet Probahka to set off on our journey.
In typical Bangalore style getting a time of how long a journey will be is vague.
Bannerghatta?
ohh four 'ours maam
four hours? Its 21 Km's
yes maam very bad traffic - better you go to labagh park instead
do they have wild animals or safari?
no maam but very preeety
next local you ask
maam will take you two hours, why not do a tour instead?
Hotel Ashok (posh hotel where wedding was)
one hour maam - we can arrange a car for you if you like.
how much
6000R (150 us - it cost us 25 in the end)
The journey took 1.5 hours and that was including Alan and I looking for a bank.
On arrival we decided we wouldn't splurge on the private bus ($70 US between the four of us) but we would join the locals on their public buses. You know .. have an adventure..
The reaction of us waiting in line with them along with Susan's amazing detective skills (the buses have protective wire on the windows) meant that we backdoored it to the office again to upgrade to a private bus.
Where they tried to rip us off .. again.. however this decision was perhaps the best decision ever with only four of us being able to run up and down the bus taking pictures whenever we want and getting the driver to stop stop stooooooooooppppppp - please turn off engine, please roll back 1 cm..
of course they did it.. god I love India and travelling with snappers!
SO the bus was awesome, and I am completely in love with these pictures.
Next stop Africa..
Today was one of my favourite days..
In typical Bangalore style getting a time of how long a journey will be is vague.
Bannerghatta?
ohh four 'ours maam
four hours? Its 21 Km's
yes maam very bad traffic - better you go to labagh park instead
do they have wild animals or safari?
no maam but very preeety
next local you ask
maam will take you two hours, why not do a tour instead?
Hotel Ashok (posh hotel where wedding was)
one hour maam - we can arrange a car for you if you like.
how much
6000R (150 us - it cost us 25 in the end)
The journey took 1.5 hours and that was including Alan and I looking for a bank.
On arrival we decided we wouldn't splurge on the private bus ($70 US between the four of us) but we would join the locals on their public buses. You know .. have an adventure..
The reaction of us waiting in line with them along with Susan's amazing detective skills (the buses have protective wire on the windows) meant that we backdoored it to the office again to upgrade to a private bus.
Where they tried to rip us off .. again.. however this decision was perhaps the best decision ever with only four of us being able to run up and down the bus taking pictures whenever we want and getting the driver to stop stop stooooooooooppppppp - please turn off engine, please roll back 1 cm..
of course they did it.. god I love India and travelling with snappers!
SO the bus was awesome, and I am completely in love with these pictures.
Next stop Africa..
Today was one of my favourite days..
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Commercial St
The day after the henna party I awoke early ready for the day.. saying that we left the house at close to 11am, this would become somewhat of a pattern over the next couple of days - aim low in India - its much easier to accomplish one thing and be completely satisfied than to attempt too many..
The mission today was Commercial St. Commercial St is where Shoshana got her gorgeous outfit from the henna party (see other post).
Catching a rickshaw we bargained with a little man called Aruuuu - or that's how we remembered him - we asked a price (40R's), decided not to bargain as seriously were we going to argue over a dollar between the three of us?
On the way there it was established that Aruuuu would wait for us and bring us home for 80R's - no time limit - so of course we agreed. Part of the deal in India is that the Rickshaw drivers like to take you to the 'best' emporiums where you get 'special deals' or they get commission - needless to say they have no issues if you walk in, circle the shop and walk out again.. that's fine.. you just HAVE to stop.
Commercial street was unlike any other I had been down - and I couldn't help but take pictures the whole way.
This inappropriate sign about finger lickin.. something no one should do in this country
The mission today was Commercial St. Commercial St is where Shoshana got her gorgeous outfit from the henna party (see other post).
Catching a rickshaw we bargained with a little man called Aruuuu - or that's how we remembered him - we asked a price (40R's), decided not to bargain as seriously were we going to argue over a dollar between the three of us?
On the way there it was established that Aruuuu would wait for us and bring us home for 80R's - no time limit - so of course we agreed. Part of the deal in India is that the Rickshaw drivers like to take you to the 'best' emporiums where you get 'special deals' or they get commission - needless to say they have no issues if you walk in, circle the shop and walk out again.. that's fine.. you just HAVE to stop.
Commercial street was unlike any other I had been down - and I couldn't help but take pictures the whole way.
This inappropriate sign about finger lickin.. something no one should do in this country
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
First impressions do count
As I lie here in my $80 sleep silk sleet sleep cocoon I never been more in love with silk ... or anaconda..
I've just crawled into bed at 2am after a full on day which has left my feet stained with Henna from dancing barefoot, my head throbbing with bollywood music and my wrists stained blue from the bracelets.
India is an amazing country, eye opening and intoxicating - although I have never washed my hands and face more in my life than I have in the past 24 hours..
I arrived at 830am after an interesting experience on the second leg of my trip.
The plane was almost empty and there were only three white people on board (including me), all in first class. Part way through my regular schedule of movie watching a guy and his friend come up to me, one stands beside me (NOT ASKING MIND YOU) whilst the other takes the camera to take a picture of his friend and ME.. let me tell I was not down with this and in fact placed the blanket over me at right about the exact moment the shot was going off.. you would now think that would be a deterrent but no.. they stayed for around five mins swapping people and angles to get a shot of a blond girl under a pashmina - even going so far as to cross the aisle to get the shot. In the end I was in hysterics (to myself) but apparently its going to happen a fair bit around here.
Landing in Bangalore Maury was late to pick me up, understandably as the traffic is disgusting.
Did you know its OK to go the wrong way down three lanes of traffic if you go very slowly and beep alot?? I didn't I do now .. there are also no seat belts.. which is oh so novel when travelling down that freeway the wrong way.
Finally after arriving at the hotel, I caught up with Susan, showered and got ready to start eating at the brides house.. I say this is an event as I seriously think that they have an impression they need to feed me up either that or they saw the surprised look on my face as I actually enjoyed every morsel.
This is Ila in a gorgeous sari
and this is the yummy lunch we had..
and here is just one of my favourite shots from lunch
I've just crawled into bed at 2am after a full on day which has left my feet stained with Henna from dancing barefoot, my head throbbing with bollywood music and my wrists stained blue from the bracelets.
India is an amazing country, eye opening and intoxicating - although I have never washed my hands and face more in my life than I have in the past 24 hours..
I arrived at 830am after an interesting experience on the second leg of my trip.
The plane was almost empty and there were only three white people on board (including me), all in first class. Part way through my regular schedule of movie watching a guy and his friend come up to me, one stands beside me (NOT ASKING MIND YOU) whilst the other takes the camera to take a picture of his friend and ME.. let me tell I was not down with this and in fact placed the blanket over me at right about the exact moment the shot was going off.. you would now think that would be a deterrent but no.. they stayed for around five mins swapping people and angles to get a shot of a blond girl under a pashmina - even going so far as to cross the aisle to get the shot. In the end I was in hysterics (to myself) but apparently its going to happen a fair bit around here.
Landing in Bangalore Maury was late to pick me up, understandably as the traffic is disgusting.
Did you know its OK to go the wrong way down three lanes of traffic if you go very slowly and beep alot?? I didn't I do now .. there are also no seat belts.. which is oh so novel when travelling down that freeway the wrong way.
Finally after arriving at the hotel, I caught up with Susan, showered and got ready to start eating at the brides house.. I say this is an event as I seriously think that they have an impression they need to feed me up either that or they saw the surprised look on my face as I actually enjoyed every morsel.
This is Ila in a gorgeous sari
and this is the yummy lunch we had..
and here is just one of my favourite shots from lunch
Thursday, May 22, 2008
its not about the journey..
well maybe it is if you are flying Singapore airlines!
I love this airline, I love the fact I chose my seat at time of booking, I love the fact I checked in two days before hand, I love the fact they accept that sometimes you just have to carry to much hand luggage, I love the lounges, I love the movies, I love the free wifi and I love the staff (even the snotty girl who spilt coffee on me was nice and charming and accommodating).. I even don't mind the food.
One thing I don't like is screaming children.. now I am not meaning the occasional scream from a kid in pain, or one that can't get sleep so has the odd whimper, I'm talking constant, high pitched screeching which dogs in GOA would have been able to hear.. and which meant that no one on the plane got more than 30 minutes sleep and that was only when they asked for ear plugs or a gun.
The parents?? slept the WHOLE way.. or at least it took turns sleeping whilst the other held the somewhat 3 year old demonic child.
There is absolutely no way we would have gotten away with that in my day.. :)
So hear I stand with my free wifi in the next departure lounge waiting for my trip to Bangalore, I am seriously dead on my feet and just must look oh so scrummy
Did I mention there is now a screaming kid in this lounge?
Off to Bangalore in twenty so bye bye for now!
I love this airline, I love the fact I chose my seat at time of booking, I love the fact I checked in two days before hand, I love the fact they accept that sometimes you just have to carry to much hand luggage, I love the lounges, I love the movies, I love the free wifi and I love the staff (even the snotty girl who spilt coffee on me was nice and charming and accommodating).. I even don't mind the food.
One thing I don't like is screaming children.. now I am not meaning the occasional scream from a kid in pain, or one that can't get sleep so has the odd whimper, I'm talking constant, high pitched screeching which dogs in GOA would have been able to hear.. and which meant that no one on the plane got more than 30 minutes sleep and that was only when they asked for ear plugs or a gun.
The parents?? slept the WHOLE way.. or at least it took turns sleeping whilst the other held the somewhat 3 year old demonic child.
There is absolutely no way we would have gotten away with that in my day.. :)
So hear I stand with my free wifi in the next departure lounge waiting for my trip to Bangalore, I am seriously dead on my feet and just must look oh so scrummy
Did I mention there is now a screaming kid in this lounge?
Off to Bangalore in twenty so bye bye for now!
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