TAJ MAHAL - CHECK!

Bucket List - Taj Mahal - CHECK!

Due to the 4 day holiday this "New" Wonder of the World was very crowded!  We went for sunset though it was cloudy.  I don't know how I thought I was going to feel seeing the great TAJ MAHAL - on my Bucket List for sometime.
Taj meaning Crown; Mahal meaning palace
The love story behind why the Taj was built makes this magnificent 350+ year old building more appealing than the human eye can see.

The next morning we got up to see the sun rise over the Taj, but again it was cloudy.  But it was Easter Sunday and we went behind/across the river to see the light awaken over the Taj and it was so peaceful and quiet staring at this beautiful, symmetrical marble structure.

Intrepid Tour Group:  Katie, Sarah, Jill, Lucy, Kelly, Sara
Tim, Marie, Georgina, Tanya

King's Kingdom - Karauli - Homestay in King's guesthouse

5 hour bus ride from Jaipur to a small village called Karauli in Rajasthan, where we stayed at King Krishna Pal's guesthouse which is part of his palace. It was amazing. Our part of the building was built in 1932 and called Bhanwar Vilas. 

Front of King's Guesthouse

Courtyard

Refreshing pool filled up just for us!

While we had lunch they starting filling up the pool. It was so hot it the pool was a good refreshing way to spend the afternoon. (It was 37 degreesC). About 4:00 we took tuk-tuks to the Karauli Palace. 

Sarah, Katie, Lucy, Marie and Tanya listening to Javed

Sara and Jill

The 600 year old city palace was Bukit in the 14th century. It has beautiful murals, stone carvings, classic paintings. It also has a famous temple called Madan Mohan ji temple, a popular pilgrimage site. We went in and witnessed a service. 
Then we walked home though the very packed narrow streets of the town. Children were like running out of the woodwork coming to say hello. It became actually exhausting waving and saying hello to everyone. Javed had warned us at the beginning of the trip that Indians would stare at us, he was right but what a long way a smile goes. 
We had dinner at the palace then hung out on the front porch as that was the only place with wifi!  

Jaipur - Holi Day

March 24 - Holi Day

After breakfast we got into the traditional white pants and tunic. On the front lawn of the hotel we all participated with other guests the throwing of the coloured powder.  Bright colours like yellow, green, red, purple, pink. It was in our hair, ears, all over our face, down our shirts. there were musicians playing and dancers.

Holi is the Hindu festival that welcomes the Spring and celebrates the new life and energy of the season. Although Holi has religious roots, not much religious activity is involved in its celebration.

Holi is the most energetic Indian festival, filled with fun and good humour; even the strict rules of separation between castes are abandoned.

Holi is also called 'The Festival of Colours', and people celebrate the festival by smearing each other with paint, and throwing coloured powder and dye around in an atmosphere of great good humour.

Holi in Brief

• A spring festival, usually celebrated in March
• Holi also celebrates Krishna, and the legend of Holika and Prahalad
• Holi is particularly celebrated in North India
• Although Holi has religious roots there are few religious things to do
• Distinctions of caste, class, age, and gender are suspended during Holi
• A very exuberant festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of paint
• Holi features gender rivalry, with contests between men and women, and public flirting
• Bonfires are lit during Holi, and food offerings are roasted
• The festival is officially celebrated on the day after full moon during the month of Phalunga, which falls in February-March (Taken from BBC)

All clean and "innocent"

Before

Blurry due to my camera was in a plastic bag

After

colours!

Then we took tuk-tuks to a park where they was the a huge Holi party. It was a huge area with a stage and loud music and everyone was just dancing. There were locals but a whole lot of tourists. 
We returned to our hotel and had beers on the roof and then we thought we had better go and attempt to get all the dye off us. This was a harder task than first expected. My torso front and back was the worse and my blond part of my hair. Still 3 days later not a lot of difference. I really don't like brown and pink hair. 

at a park - dancing to music - huge party

Javed and Jill

Dinner at lovely restaurant called Forrestra.   I would highly recommend this restaurant. 

People and Life of India

I took so many photos of just life in India - thought I would share some of them.
The people of India are beautiful - and I LOVE their colorful clothes!    When I watched from train or bus windows I saw a lot of flat, dry, brownish land but then it was brightened by everyone's clothes!  Brought a smile to my face every time!

However the poverty in India does not bring a smile to my face.

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