Our first full day was in Mumbai (Bombay). The streets were bustling with activity as we all shook off the jetlag.
We made a brief stop at the Dohbi Ghats, an outdoor laundry area.
Next, we took a ferry to the Elephanta Caves and Hindu temple.
After our day in Mumbai we traveled to Kanha National Park, one of India's several tiger reserves. We spent the days on jeep safaris viewing the park's wildlife. Below is a photo from one of our morning safaris. There was plentyl of wildlife to see and we were always on the lookout for tiger tracks. 
Spotted deer
Malabar hornbills
Another spotted deer 
Every morning the park's "mahouts" take their elephants out in search of tigers. If a tiger is found they contact the park authorities who then decide whether or not to allow tourists to approach the tiger. If permission is granted the mahouts take the tourists to the tiger on the elephants. Below is a mahout on a road in Kanha.
While at Kanha we were able to see one of the park's tigers. According to our guide it was a female who has four cubs. The mahouts found the same tiger the day before but the park authorities did not allow the tourists near her because she had just made a kill and did not want to disturb her and the cubs. When we saw her the cubs were no where in sight and she was taking a nap in some bamboo.
Our next stop was Bandhavgarh National Park, another tiger reserve; smaller in area than Kanha but with a higher density of tigers. On the first morning safari at Bandghvarh we recieved word that a tiger was found so we headed to the elephants. Below you can see Bernie, Bill and some other tourists on their way to see the tiger.
Like the other tiger, this one was resting in the bamboo. It's in there, trust me.
The safari times are regulated by the park authorities and it can be a mad dash to get through the park gate. Every now and then you would hear the crunch of jeep fenders as they crashed into each other while racing towards the gate. (When attempting to reach the gate it doesn't hurt for you guide to start yelling "VIP's, VIP's!") Each jeep is assigned a route through the park to another gate. Upon reaching the other gate the jeeps are free to roam the park on any route.
Langur monkey.
Peacock by watering hole.
Sunset at Bandhavgarh.
On our second morning at Bandhavgarh we made our way through gate on our assigned route. As we rounded a bend in the road we saw several jeeps ahead of us straddling the road. Our guide shouted, "Tiger!" and our driver sped ahead. The tiger was walking down the road and then crossed over into the open brush. We (and several other jeeps) followed the tiger for a minute or two before it disappeared into the jungle.
Parakeets.
Reclining Vishnu at Bandhavgarh
We spotted the same tiger that afternoon. As we and other jeeps parked on the road next to a fire break the tiger came around a small bend and approached us. He displayed no fear and actually walked through the throng of jeeps parked on the road to continue his walk along the fire break.
After Bandhavgarh we drove to Khajuraho, home to a complex of ancient temples dedicated to various members of the Hindu pantheon.
Lakshmana Temple, dedicated to Vishnu.
Detail of Lakshmana Temple.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple, dedicated to Shiva.
Our next stop was the city of Orchha, the one-time capital of Bundela Kingdom in. For a one-night visit by Jehangir, the Mughal ruler of the time, the Bundelan king built the Jehangir Mahal, as seen below.
Detail from Jehangir Mahal.
From Orchha we drove to Jahnsi where we caught the Shatabdi Expess to Agra. Next morning we awoke for a sunrise viewing of the Taj Mahal.
Mosque at Taj Mahal complex.
Taj Mahal detail.
That afternoon we visited the Agra Fort with it's red sandstone walls and palace complex.
Entrance to Jehangir's palace at the Agra Fort.
Detail of Musamman Burj at the Agra Fort.
Musamman Burj at Agra Fort.
From Agra we drove to Fatehpur Sikri which served as the Mughal capital for a brief period in the th Century. The complex is composed of several palaces and audience halls. Below is the Diwan-I-Khas or Hall of Private Audience.
Palace of Jodh Bai, Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri is also home to the Jama Masjid (Dargah Mosque). In the mosque's courtyard is the Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti.
That evening we made our way to Bharatpur in Rajahstan. While there we went to the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a bird sanctuary.
Sambar deer in Keoladeo.
Sunset at Keoladeo.
Crested serpent eagle at Keoladeo.
Our next stop was the Pink City of Jaipur. It is known for it's old walled city and maze of bazzars. Below is the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, from where the royal ladies watched street processions and parades.
Outside of Jaipur was the Amber Fort, the former palace complex of the local Maharaja.
Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory), Amber Fort
That afternoon we visited the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.
We then caught a flight to Udaipur, the Venice of the East. Below is a photo of a temple in Udaipur.
From Udaipur we drove to Ranakpur, a Jain temple built in the 12th Century.
Our final stop in Rajasthan was the city of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert. We made a morning visit the Meherangarh Fort.
The Jaswant Thada, a memorial to the former Mahraja's of Jodhpur.
Palace in the Meherangarh Fort.
The Maharaja's bedroom in Maherangarh Fort.
View of the Blue City from the Meherangarh Fort.
From Jodhpur we flew to Delhi, capital of India. In the morning we visited the Red Fort.
From the Red Fort we took a rickshaw ride through the Dehli streets and Chandani Chowk, a market area.
In the afternoon we visited the Qutab Minar.
Our final stop was the Mughal Humayun's Tomb.
Sunset at Keoladeo.
Crested serpent eagle at Keoladeo.
Our next stop was the Pink City of Jaipur. It is known for it's old walled city and maze of bazzars. Below is the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, from where the royal ladies watched street processions and parades.
Outside of Jaipur was the Amber Fort, the former palace complex of the local Maharaja.
Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory), Amber Fort
That afternoon we visited the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.
We then caught a flight to Udaipur, the Venice of the East. Below is a photo of a temple in Udaipur.
From Udaipur we drove to Ranakpur, a Jain temple built in the 12th Century.
Our final stop in Rajasthan was the city of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert. We made a morning visit the Meherangarh Fort.
The Jaswant Thada, a memorial to the former Mahraja's of Jodhpur.
Palace in the Meherangarh Fort.
The Maharaja's bedroom in Maherangarh Fort.
View of the Blue City from the Meherangarh Fort.
From Jodhpur we flew to Delhi, capital of India. In the morning we visited the Red Fort.
From the Red Fort we took a rickshaw ride through the Dehli streets and Chandani Chowk, a market area.
In the afternoon we visited the Qutab Minar.
Our final stop was the Mughal Humayun's Tomb.
2 comments:
Wow. Those are beautiful photos. What an adventure!
Love the photo of EJB in the rickshaw. Clearly, he was made for colonialism.
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