India

India

After spending October in northern India, and November and December in Nepal, we began India, part two, at the very end of December.

Unfortunately this coincided with record cold in northern India, with nights of near freezing temperatures. So, finally near the end of January we started heading south for warmth! We return north to Dharamsala in late March to listen to the Dalai Lama's public teachings, and then we leave India at the beginning of April.

India part two includes Bodhgaya (where Buddha attained enlightenment), Varanasi (a major holy city on the Ganges River), Ajanta/Ellora (temples and monasteries carved into rock cliffs) in the north, visiting friends at the software city of Bangalore, the beaches in Kerala and hill station of Ooty, sunset at the southernmost tip of India, the commercial hub of Bombay (renamed Mumbai), and the majestic deserts and palaces of Rajasthan (the Land of Kings).

Many tourists consider the south to be the best part of India. It has the famous beaches, friendly people, ancient temples and forts, and its own set of foods, dress and language. Old cultures still flourish, even as Islamic and Christian invaders contributed their own cultural elements. And the weather is beautiful --at least until the scorching heat of April-June comes!

Rajasthan (literally, Land of Kings) is also a favorite tourist destination. With the rich splendor of palaces from a prosperous time, romantic cities, camel safaris, and friendly people, it is easy to like Rajasthan.