Hi Folks, yes I am still alive. Sorry for the silence but I have been moving around a lot and get little time for this. In fact i have little time now.
I am in Jodhpur a filthy crowded cramped city with an amazing fort that towers over us all.
I am going to a performance of Mcbeth in it this evening.
Since my last blog I have been in in the backwaters of Kerala then to Madurai to the most amazing temple then up the mountain to Kodia Kanal to visit my friends in the photos then to the IT capital Bangalore where I flew up here from. Its all marvelous and different. Spent several days in Jaipur which I really enjoyed .Great shopping and loved the camels and elephants around the city.The old city is facinating,like going back in history a few hundred years.
Then I went to Pushkar the city on the lake but there is no lake .The government drained it to clean it and the monsoons didn't come last year so its a sad site but loved the town anyway.
Must go now.I have loads of great photos but too much hassle to upload them.
Flying to Udiapur tomorrow for a couple of days and then Agra the jewel of India.
More from there.
Love Caz
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday January 26th Cochin Kerala.
INDIA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF INDEPENDANCE TODAY!
Fitting that I just finished reading Gandhi's autobiography. Amazing.
Can't help thinking he would turn in his grave (if he had had one) if he saw india today.
I didn't get to tell you much about Gokarna as I found a good Ayuvedic Doctor and spent 5 days in treatment for my gall bladder but I think I am fine now.
I loved Gokarna.Its a one street town full of little temples and lots of pilgrims and many cows.
It felt like going back in time.People living as they have done for hundreds of years with just a few more white folk around and cell phones.The white folks are a trip.Never seen so many dreads as many seem to be compeating for the longest dreaded hair or beard like the babas.
It's the in look in Gokarna along with face piercing and tatoos and clothes of every discription but most popular is the the Gandhi look complete with stick.Most are wearing some kind of beads and often bracelets and anckle decoration too.This is the white men!!
Some came years ago and never left as it is so cheap to live in Gokarna.My lovely guest house room with private bath and views was only $4 a night and my meals were never more than $2
There are great beaches there too and lots of choice.I managed to grab a couple of days topping up the tan before comming here to Cochin Kerala. A 13hr train journey.
This is a whole other world here too.I am on the island of Fort Cochin which I came to by a little ferry so you can imagine how at home I feel.This is like being in Portugal somewhat as the Portugese settled here in the 1500's and built churches and many other lovely buildings.It is famous for the Chinese fishing nets which hang out into the water from the shore and are still in use and each day you can whatch them bring in the fish.
It's much more up market here with clean streets, boutique hotels, and prices to match though there are also loads of nice guest houses for cheap.I pay $6 here. Food is double what I paid in Gokarna but lots of great fish. I just wish they didn't fry everything.
There is a lovely area called Jew town where the jews settled when they were thrown out of Palastine so long ago.An origional synogogue is still here dated 1550.The area is also becoming very up market with trendy coffee shops and book stores and of course the clothes and jewlery shops that all seem to sell the same things which you get sick of seeing.
I drove a scooter around the island yesterday and didn't have to go far to see the other side of life where the poor live in falling down houses. Every town here seems to have an abundance of derilic buildings. Some old some never finished building yet there are plenty of people in need
though I see no beggars here.There is definately more money around here.
I did encounter an Indian man going around asking fellow Indians for money as he needed an operation.Thank heavens for BCMed.
I am always surprised by the type of people I meet here.The other night I met an older conservative english woman who came here 7 years ago on holiday and has been living here 7 months a year since. She loves it , weares a sari and hangs out with the indian folks. Says the moment she arrived she knew this was here place.
I am certainly enjoying myself here and now looking forward to the backwaters.Will probably head down there tomorrow.
This is a very old computer and it doesn't even have a spell check dam it.
That's all for now
Namaste.
caz
Fitting that I just finished reading Gandhi's autobiography. Amazing.
Can't help thinking he would turn in his grave (if he had had one) if he saw india today.
I didn't get to tell you much about Gokarna as I found a good Ayuvedic Doctor and spent 5 days in treatment for my gall bladder but I think I am fine now.
I loved Gokarna.Its a one street town full of little temples and lots of pilgrims and many cows.
It felt like going back in time.People living as they have done for hundreds of years with just a few more white folk around and cell phones.The white folks are a trip.Never seen so many dreads as many seem to be compeating for the longest dreaded hair or beard like the babas.
It's the in look in Gokarna along with face piercing and tatoos and clothes of every discription but most popular is the the Gandhi look complete with stick.Most are wearing some kind of beads and often bracelets and anckle decoration too.This is the white men!!
Some came years ago and never left as it is so cheap to live in Gokarna.My lovely guest house room with private bath and views was only $4 a night and my meals were never more than $2
There are great beaches there too and lots of choice.I managed to grab a couple of days topping up the tan before comming here to Cochin Kerala. A 13hr train journey.
This is a whole other world here too.I am on the island of Fort Cochin which I came to by a little ferry so you can imagine how at home I feel.This is like being in Portugal somewhat as the Portugese settled here in the 1500's and built churches and many other lovely buildings.It is famous for the Chinese fishing nets which hang out into the water from the shore and are still in use and each day you can whatch them bring in the fish.
It's much more up market here with clean streets, boutique hotels, and prices to match though there are also loads of nice guest houses for cheap.I pay $6 here. Food is double what I paid in Gokarna but lots of great fish. I just wish they didn't fry everything.
There is a lovely area called Jew town where the jews settled when they were thrown out of Palastine so long ago.An origional synogogue is still here dated 1550.The area is also becoming very up market with trendy coffee shops and book stores and of course the clothes and jewlery shops that all seem to sell the same things which you get sick of seeing.
I drove a scooter around the island yesterday and didn't have to go far to see the other side of life where the poor live in falling down houses. Every town here seems to have an abundance of derilic buildings. Some old some never finished building yet there are plenty of people in need
though I see no beggars here.There is definately more money around here.
I did encounter an Indian man going around asking fellow Indians for money as he needed an operation.Thank heavens for BCMed.
I am always surprised by the type of people I meet here.The other night I met an older conservative english woman who came here 7 years ago on holiday and has been living here 7 months a year since. She loves it , weares a sari and hangs out with the indian folks. Says the moment she arrived she knew this was here place.
I am certainly enjoying myself here and now looking forward to the backwaters.Will probably head down there tomorrow.
This is a very old computer and it doesn't even have a spell check dam it.
That's all for now
Namaste.
caz
Sunday, January 10, 2010
January 11th Leaving Goa.
Its been a while since I could get to this.Ive had a few health problems, Bronchitus and gall bladder trouble that put me in the hospital for 24hrs. Luckily it was a private hospital here in Palolem and they took great care of me. Apparently I have sludge in my gall bladder.If I eat anything greasy I throw up. Well guess what everything here is greasy so I am on fruit and yogut at the moment and feeling good eating less. I know it was the falafels and chips I had Christmas eve that started it. Christmas day was not fun .Anyway enough of that.
I have been in Palolem for nearly a week now.Its a long palm fringed beach full of beach huts and shack resturants. The tourist season is only 4 months and I was amazed to learn that they build everything each year and take it down again at the end of the season because of the monsoon.
Takes a month to build. Most of the season workers come from up north from villages.I really like village people.They are so sweet. I stayed in an up market beach hut resort as it was worth it to me to pay more for clean. There are lots of middle class Indians who have too much spare cash who come to the beaches now and they are all overweight and drink like fish and make fools of themselves.This is where India is going I'm afraid. Worst is they treat these lovely kind waiters like shit. It's the new money from Bangalore.
I had several vistors in my room. Tree frogs. They would jump off the palm trees a wait for me in my bathroom untill I get home in the evening and I'd jump out my skin. Found 4 frogs in two nights.
Ive had my fill of Goa now and heading south after visiting lots of beaches in the state looking for a clean one. No chance.When you are sick you really want clean.
I rented a scooter for a couple of days which was fun. Its the perfeact thing for getting around here. I love to be mobile and got to check out other beaches near by. Lots of lovely palm trees and warm water but lots of crap too. I can imagine how beautiful it must have been a few years ago. However the weather is marvelous and I have aclimatised so its not even too hot anymore.
So I will be in Gokarna tonight and then on to Kerala. More from there.
I have been in Palolem for nearly a week now.Its a long palm fringed beach full of beach huts and shack resturants. The tourist season is only 4 months and I was amazed to learn that they build everything each year and take it down again at the end of the season because of the monsoon.
Takes a month to build. Most of the season workers come from up north from villages.I really like village people.They are so sweet. I stayed in an up market beach hut resort as it was worth it to me to pay more for clean. There are lots of middle class Indians who have too much spare cash who come to the beaches now and they are all overweight and drink like fish and make fools of themselves.This is where India is going I'm afraid. Worst is they treat these lovely kind waiters like shit. It's the new money from Bangalore.
I had several vistors in my room. Tree frogs. They would jump off the palm trees a wait for me in my bathroom untill I get home in the evening and I'd jump out my skin. Found 4 frogs in two nights.
Ive had my fill of Goa now and heading south after visiting lots of beaches in the state looking for a clean one. No chance.When you are sick you really want clean.
I rented a scooter for a couple of days which was fun. Its the perfeact thing for getting around here. I love to be mobile and got to check out other beaches near by. Lots of lovely palm trees and warm water but lots of crap too. I can imagine how beautiful it must have been a few years ago. However the weather is marvelous and I have aclimatised so its not even too hot anymore.
So I will be in Gokarna tonight and then on to Kerala. More from there.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas in Hampi
December 23r
A quick trip to the Doctor and a few dollars later I found out I had an eye infection due to forgetting to take out my contacts one night. Anyway after a few antibiotic drops all is well.
I decided to do a quick trip(12hrs by bus) here to Hampi for a few days for a change of pace.
The journey here was intense to say the least.The coaches are old and not very comfortable at all and the traffic on the roads through the night was so busy.thousands and I mean thousands of trucks on the road so many that we spent hrs stuck in traffic on straight roads.As there are no traffic rules here its anything goes so there may be 4 lanes of traffic moving ,or trying to, on a two lane road.Imagine if you can hundreds of trucks bumper to bumper and a couple of coaches in there too all trying to overtake each other.Some times there are standoffs when no one can move and they all turn off the engines and sit there.It's completely insane.
Hence I am not using my return ticket but have booked a train instead.That means I am here for Christmas day.
It's is a wonderful World heritage site. A town full of temples and palaces with a river running through it surrounded by huge boulders like I have never seen before.
It dates back to the 13th century and was the capital in the 15oo's and the largest empire in India.
I love it here.Its so peaceful.
I am staying in a lovely guest house that looks out over rice paddies which are being planted right now, and the river. I woke up this morning and looked out to see a line of beautiful women in Saris of all colours walking along the paddies surrounded by palm trees in the early morning light.
By noon they had planted two fields. Such hard work.
There is a small ferry that crosses the river that I take to get to my guest house.Its the quiet end of town and I have to take it each morning and evening so I think of all my Cortes friends when I ride the ferry.It only takes a few minutes and a few people and I have to be home on the last one at 6 pm. but its lovely.
I am happy to be away from Christmas.Here its just another day and that suites me.
I will be back in Goa by the 26th and stay until January 2nd then I will head south to Kerala.
I wish I could type because there is so much to say about this place but I am so slow so will save it for future conversations with you all.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and may the new year be peaceful for us all.
Namaste
Caz xx
A quick trip to the Doctor and a few dollars later I found out I had an eye infection due to forgetting to take out my contacts one night. Anyway after a few antibiotic drops all is well.
I decided to do a quick trip(12hrs by bus) here to Hampi for a few days for a change of pace.
The journey here was intense to say the least.The coaches are old and not very comfortable at all and the traffic on the roads through the night was so busy.thousands and I mean thousands of trucks on the road so many that we spent hrs stuck in traffic on straight roads.As there are no traffic rules here its anything goes so there may be 4 lanes of traffic moving ,or trying to, on a two lane road.Imagine if you can hundreds of trucks bumper to bumper and a couple of coaches in there too all trying to overtake each other.Some times there are standoffs when no one can move and they all turn off the engines and sit there.It's completely insane.
Hence I am not using my return ticket but have booked a train instead.That means I am here for Christmas day.
It's is a wonderful World heritage site. A town full of temples and palaces with a river running through it surrounded by huge boulders like I have never seen before.
It dates back to the 13th century and was the capital in the 15oo's and the largest empire in India.
I love it here.Its so peaceful.
I am staying in a lovely guest house that looks out over rice paddies which are being planted right now, and the river. I woke up this morning and looked out to see a line of beautiful women in Saris of all colours walking along the paddies surrounded by palm trees in the early morning light.
By noon they had planted two fields. Such hard work.
There is a small ferry that crosses the river that I take to get to my guest house.Its the quiet end of town and I have to take it each morning and evening so I think of all my Cortes friends when I ride the ferry.It only takes a few minutes and a few people and I have to be home on the last one at 6 pm. but its lovely.
I am happy to be away from Christmas.Here its just another day and that suites me.
I will be back in Goa by the 26th and stay until January 2nd then I will head south to Kerala.
I wish I could type because there is so much to say about this place but I am so slow so will save it for future conversations with you all.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and may the new year be peaceful for us all.
Namaste
Caz xx
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
December 15th.Still chiling in Goa.
Ive been here just over two weeks now and starting to feel like I should go out there and see more of India but it would also be so easy to stay as I have settle into life here in Anjuna.
The day begins with an hrs long swim out to sea with my swim group consisting of anything up to 12 members of all nationalities and ages,the youngest is 14 and always gets back first.
Then we all have a marvelous breakfast,I have lots of tropical fruit and yogurt and even an espresso coffee
After breakfast I meet up with my new family on the beach.An english couple who live in the south and have three small children they have adopted.They are such a joy at 3 4 and 5 years old.
They will be here until January and want me to go home with them to see the real India where there are no tourists at all.They live high in the mountains of Tamil Nadu.
My contact lens is giving me trouble so will stop here for now.
The day begins with an hrs long swim out to sea with my swim group consisting of anything up to 12 members of all nationalities and ages,the youngest is 14 and always gets back first.
Then we all have a marvelous breakfast,I have lots of tropical fruit and yogurt and even an espresso coffee
After breakfast I meet up with my new family on the beach.An english couple who live in the south and have three small children they have adopted.They are such a joy at 3 4 and 5 years old.
They will be here until January and want me to go home with them to see the real India where there are no tourists at all.They live high in the mountains of Tamil Nadu.
My contact lens is giving me trouble so will stop here for now.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Caz chilling in Goa.
Hello dear ones back home and around the world.I don't know if this is going to work but will see.
My journey so far has gone so smoothly apart from missing my flight from Toronto to London that is.Spaced out the time so slept in the airport and got the first flight in the morning having had a great few days with Erin and Kili and got to see both homes on Toronto island which is wonderful and in town which is also a great find.Thanks you both for making me so welcome.
I was only in England 8 days so it went far too fast,so its a good job i am going back there on route home. All was well with the familly when i left and it was lovely to see everyone..
Arrived in Mumbai and thank heavens I stayed in Colabar by the water and easy to get to places. It took 1&1/2 hrs to get to my hotel from the airport and the traffic is compleatly mad.
Unimaginable.I was in culture shock for the first week. Could not believe how filthy India is.
However I can now see beyond that and the people make up for it.They are incredably helpful and kind.
I enjoyed Mumbai,especialy going to Leopols cafe the famous Shantaram place.I fell upon it by accident and amazingly the bullet holes from the terrorist are still there in the front window.
The place was heaving so obviosly it didn't damage business.
Went to a great sufi concert one night in a beautiful tropical park which again I just happened upon.I didn't do alot there as it was so hot and so crazy busy but I did get to Elephant island
to the caves which was worth the trip.and great to be away from the city.
Then went to Puna which is another crazy busy city.Checked out the Osho scene but was not drawn to stay.
Now in Goa its hard to think of moving on as I love my place here on Anjuna beach.
Making lots of friends and loving the sun the ocean the food and the chill vibe.Lots of interesting people from all over the world and some on amazing journeys.
I will stay at least another week befor going to the south beaches on the way to Kerala.
My journey so far has gone so smoothly apart from missing my flight from Toronto to London that is.Spaced out the time so slept in the airport and got the first flight in the morning having had a great few days with Erin and Kili and got to see both homes on Toronto island which is wonderful and in town which is also a great find.Thanks you both for making me so welcome.
I was only in England 8 days so it went far too fast,so its a good job i am going back there on route home. All was well with the familly when i left and it was lovely to see everyone..
Arrived in Mumbai and thank heavens I stayed in Colabar by the water and easy to get to places. It took 1&1/2 hrs to get to my hotel from the airport and the traffic is compleatly mad.
Unimaginable.I was in culture shock for the first week. Could not believe how filthy India is.
However I can now see beyond that and the people make up for it.They are incredably helpful and kind.
I enjoyed Mumbai,especialy going to Leopols cafe the famous Shantaram place.I fell upon it by accident and amazingly the bullet holes from the terrorist are still there in the front window.
The place was heaving so obviosly it didn't damage business.
Went to a great sufi concert one night in a beautiful tropical park which again I just happened upon.I didn't do alot there as it was so hot and so crazy busy but I did get to Elephant island
to the caves which was worth the trip.and great to be away from the city.
Then went to Puna which is another crazy busy city.Checked out the Osho scene but was not drawn to stay.
Now in Goa its hard to think of moving on as I love my place here on Anjuna beach.
Making lots of friends and loving the sun the ocean the food and the chill vibe.Lots of interesting people from all over the world and some on amazing journeys.
I will stay at least another week befor going to the south beaches on the way to Kerala.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
