India Recap!

Day 1: Cochin

• ·         We arrived on a hot and humid day where temperatures must have been 95-100 degrees. We took a ferry to Fort Cochin, an area where there are lots of markets to do some shopping. The people are very pushy to sell you their items and lack personal space boundaries.. It is a very interesting experience. A tuc tuc drove us around, check out a picture of this online. It is a small taxi and the driving is a bit crazy.

• ·         We saw the traditional huge Chinese fishing nets that look like a catapult. Then ate lunch and spent the afternoon cooling off on the pool back on the ship.

Day 2: Delhi

• ·         We left at 3 AM and flew to Delhi. We took a tour of the city when we arrived, including..

o   Qutub Minar – a large conical tower

o   Jana Masjid – The largest mosque in India

o   Raj Ghat – A memorial to Gandhi

o   Rashtrapati Bhavan – The Presidential Palace

o   Gurdwaras Bandla – Sikh Temple.

I've never felt so out of place than in the muslim temple where women wear the traditional Sari outfits and men are all outfitted in turbans. We had to cover our heads as well out of respect. It was a very curious feeling.

Day 3: Agra

• ·         We went to the Taj Mahal today! This was beautiful and way better in person than in any picture. We were able to walk right up and onto the white marble. (Check out the picture below!)

• ·         Next we visited the Agra Fort which was an array of buildings used for protection. It also provided a cool view of the Taj from farther away.

• ·         I tend to stick out like a sore thumb here being pale and a red head but I've never had more pictures taken of me than today. SOO many people wanted pictures, men, women, I even had a baby thrust into my arms. In the beginning it was funny and flattering, but it got old very fast. I know how the celebrities feel now!

• ·         Then we boarded a bus for a 5 hour bus ride to Jaipur.

 

Day 4: Jaipur

• ·         We headed to a beautiful fort that had an expansive wall over the mountains. It looked like a mini Great Wall of China. We rode elephants that were painted with decorations up the fort which was exciting. We bought turbans to wear and also mandi (the bead for your forehead) and took some very fun pictures at the top of the fort.

• ·         Next we visited the largest sun dial in the world. It can mark the time down to an incredible 20 seconds. After dinner I tried on the traditional sari outfit and got henna drawn on the back of my hand and forearm. When in India you have to do it!

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• Day 5 & 6: Cochin

·         We spent the morning on two flights from Jaipur to Cochin. Then just relaxed and recovered from our long trip back on the ship.

·         We wandered the markets and shops in Cochin the last day. We were able to do our last minute souvenir shopping and eat our last Indian meal.

·         HOLI! – My favorite part of the two days was celebrating holi by throwing powdered colors on each other. We bought white shirts so the colors would stand out. We were completely dyed from head to toe and had a blast.