Ok, so we left the internet cafe on Friday. We were then swept into a travel agency by "touts?? who really knows which one is the tout? Not these two Canadians.....
Long story short, here we sit in Agra, our personal driver is waiting for us across the street at the pub while we decide whether or not we should allow a young, cute Mexican girl named Fanny to join us in OUR trip!! Oh meine guete!!!
We should explain. We decided that it would be a good thing to hire a driver, with a car of course, to take us through the Rajasthan part of our adventure. All hotels, breakfast, tours of Agra, Ranthanborne Park (tiger safari), and Camel trek are included, as well as the train ride to Mumbai. So pretty easy deal. We pay the "nice"people and away we go.
On Friday after booking we were left to fend for ourselves, our first day with our driver would be Saturday. So the two brave Canadians just dove right into the heart of stinking, rotting, and crumbling Old Dehli -- look it up Chandni Chowk! This market is filled to the brim and then some with people, not always clean, honest or shy. And on this special day, there was also a Sikh parade. Of course, we did the Canadian thing, and joined in. So for miles of winding alleys filled with shops selling everything from jewellery to saris to car parts, we stumbled along. Eventually we somehow found our way out - but not until I was hit with a flying car part. Yep, pretty sure they were aiming at the white girl! I had to drag Jon out before he found the bandito and had us both staying for free in the jail.
Our first day was touring Delhi with our driver, Rakesh. Rakesh is a lovely man with two children and has been with the company for three years, but doing this job for 6 years. Hmm, that seems great. So we get to see 5 sites in record time (since now we have a car) complete with details. Pretty good. The Indira Ghandi house was very very interesting and quite sad. She was quite obviously a major influence and spirit of the people. Quatar Minar (not quite sure of the spelling) was also beautiful -- a Muslim worship site with the most amazing structures built in 640 AD. Both Friday and Saturday evenings were spent having dinners with beautiful Indian hosts -- pictures to follow. Prem was the topic of conversation much of the time, since the dinners were with his childhood friend Madhu and her husband Rajiv and then on Saturday with his parents, Inder and Rani --- Boy, Prem -- are you ever like your father!!
Needless to say these evenings were outstanding and provided some peace in our very hectic schedule.
We have now left Delhi - the city of horns, smog, non-stop action and after driving for four hours passing many, many small towns along the way we spent the afternoon at the Taj Mahal. A beautiful, majestic and outstanding structure. We were able to see the colours change on the marble for about 2 hours prior to sunset and then sat and watched the sun set over the trees of the garden. The colours were truely amazing as it changed from creamy white, to softer white and then to pink. Did you know that it took 22 years to build it? And 30 000 labourers, and all by hand with no electricity! Quite amazing - if you were here I could take you on a tour - but then you would have to visit my shop -- just looking of course!
Tomorrow we are off to the Safari in Ranthanborn park - and hopefully we can post some pictures as well. Does any one know what E18 (ie error 18) means on a Canon A70 digital camera? (Don - are you there?) Our darn camera is acting up -- 4 batteries per day!
Jon wants helpppppppppppppppp!
Signing off and going for more beers --
Brendi and Jonni
Long story short, here we sit in Agra, our personal driver is waiting for us across the street at the pub while we decide whether or not we should allow a young, cute Mexican girl named Fanny to join us in OUR trip!! Oh meine guete!!!
We should explain. We decided that it would be a good thing to hire a driver, with a car of course, to take us through the Rajasthan part of our adventure. All hotels, breakfast, tours of Agra, Ranthanborne Park (tiger safari), and Camel trek are included, as well as the train ride to Mumbai. So pretty easy deal. We pay the "nice"people and away we go.
On Friday after booking we were left to fend for ourselves, our first day with our driver would be Saturday. So the two brave Canadians just dove right into the heart of stinking, rotting, and crumbling Old Dehli -- look it up Chandni Chowk! This market is filled to the brim and then some with people, not always clean, honest or shy. And on this special day, there was also a Sikh parade. Of course, we did the Canadian thing, and joined in. So for miles of winding alleys filled with shops selling everything from jewellery to saris to car parts, we stumbled along. Eventually we somehow found our way out - but not until I was hit with a flying car part. Yep, pretty sure they were aiming at the white girl! I had to drag Jon out before he found the bandito and had us both staying for free in the jail.
Our first day was touring Delhi with our driver, Rakesh. Rakesh is a lovely man with two children and has been with the company for three years, but doing this job for 6 years. Hmm, that seems great. So we get to see 5 sites in record time (since now we have a car) complete with details. Pretty good. The Indira Ghandi house was very very interesting and quite sad. She was quite obviously a major influence and spirit of the people. Quatar Minar (not quite sure of the spelling) was also beautiful -- a Muslim worship site with the most amazing structures built in 640 AD. Both Friday and Saturday evenings were spent having dinners with beautiful Indian hosts -- pictures to follow. Prem was the topic of conversation much of the time, since the dinners were with his childhood friend Madhu and her husband Rajiv and then on Saturday with his parents, Inder and Rani --- Boy, Prem -- are you ever like your father!!
Needless to say these evenings were outstanding and provided some peace in our very hectic schedule.
We have now left Delhi - the city of horns, smog, non-stop action and after driving for four hours passing many, many small towns along the way we spent the afternoon at the Taj Mahal. A beautiful, majestic and outstanding structure. We were able to see the colours change on the marble for about 2 hours prior to sunset and then sat and watched the sun set over the trees of the garden. The colours were truely amazing as it changed from creamy white, to softer white and then to pink. Did you know that it took 22 years to build it? And 30 000 labourers, and all by hand with no electricity! Quite amazing - if you were here I could take you on a tour - but then you would have to visit my shop -- just looking of course!
Tomorrow we are off to the Safari in Ranthanborn park - and hopefully we can post some pictures as well. Does any one know what E18 (ie error 18) means on a Canon A70 digital camera? (Don - are you there?) Our darn camera is acting up -- 4 batteries per day!
Jon wants helpppppppppppppppp!
Signing off and going for more beers --
Brendi and Jonni
4 comments:
You are having the Indian trip of a lifetime - and you found beer already! Woo-hoo! The elephant is finding you.
E18 on my Canon Powershot= dead batteries. I brought rechargables. See if you can buy some over there. Keep on truckin'. Love, Jack
Hi Brends,
Whew! I felt tired after reading about your adventure. Dan had to have a nap in your honour!
Your descriptions are wonderful. I'm glad to hear the car part has left no permanent damage. Now don't let the wildlife fling anything your way.
Love Shelley
Great to be included in your adventures! I looked up your error code on the Canon website, (ironically I had to do the same with a friend who came to take a xmas portrait of us this weekend). The description for your camera is different than Jack's comment so I'll pass it along. It indicates an error involving the lens unit or lens cover. It may appear when the lens is prevented from properly extending or retracting such as, when pressure is applied to the lens or the area surrounding the lens while handling the camera. It may also display if the lens unit/camera has been subjected to an external shock, or if a foreign substance (ie. dirt, liquid) enters the camera. Solution: check the following when you operate the camera to avoid applying pressure to the lens and area - 1. hold the camera so that your fingers do not touch the lens unit when you are shooting 2. make sure the camera is off before you put it back in the case. Exercise caution to ensure the camera does not turn on inside the case by accident. If you cannot clear the error code by turning the camer off then on again, or if the error code is displayed frequently, a camera malfunction may have occurred.
Hope this of help to you. Looking forward to hearing about the trip. Take care,
Lisa and Kelly
Hi Brenda and Jon
What a blast! You guys are seeing and doing so much and it's only been 3 days?!? I had a good squash game last night....
Stay safe!
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