How to Read This Blog

Dear Reader:

This is a blog of my 3 week India Adventure in October of 2009.  I traveled with Overland Adventure Tours (OAT), which is part of Grand Circle Travel (GCT).  For more information about this particular tour, you can access their website at www.gct.com  . This blog is a daily diary of the highlights of the tour from my perspective.  I used my Verizon LG cellphone to take photos and videos which I posted straight from my phone to the internet.  It was easy.

After reading this blog, and you find yourself interested in taking this tour, please contact them at their website.  If you reference my name, Kathleen Brose, as well as my customer number VABN008, they will credit my account for making a referral. I have traveled with them six times, and I would love to take another adventure with them.

Go to the beginning of this blog, September 3rd, and travel vicariously along with me on my adventure through India.

Thanks for reading,

Kathleen Brose

Photo of the Gate of India. This is the last place in India that the British handed over to India after their independence in 1947. Across the street from the gate is the Taj Mahal Hotel that was attacked by the terrorists last year. There is some great architecture, especially Victorian, in this city. I could have used another day to see the sights in Mumbai.

This is my last posting. My great Indian adventure has come to an end. I have had 3 weeks of incredible sights, tastes, smells and sounds of India. India will stimulate all your senses when you visit her. You can even touch India when you feel her silk, put your hand in the Holy Ganges, and feel the heat of the cremation fires. I shan't ever forget her.

Photo of the Victoria train station in Mumbai. I wasn't expecting to see such a magnificent specimen of Victorian architecture. It is all part of the British legacy. The network of trains, built by the British, is the largest in the world.

Photo of colorful vendor in Mumbai. I purchased a couple of bags from her.  When I return to the U.S., I think I will miss running the gauntlet of vendors trying to sell me something.  It has been fun haggling with them.
When they first meet you, they ask for a large price.  The closer you get to the tour bus, the lower the price becomes.  Sometimes our guide would bring the items on board the bus to make us feel more comfortable looking at the goods for sale without the vendor constantly saying "you will get good luck if you buy this item from me".

Photo of sunset with fishing nets. On our last night in Cochin, we took a boat out to see the sunset. Afterward, we had a home-hosted dinner at the home of an Indian woman. Her home was lovely and the food was delicious. Much of the food included coconut in some way. Tomorrow we fly to Mumbai/Bombay.

Photo of where Vasco de Gama was once interred. St. Francis Church in Cochin. His body was moved to Lisbon by his son. The architecture in the old part of the city reflects its Dutch heritage.

Video of pineapple vendor. Today, Cochin, we visited the Jewish Quarter, which they call Jew Town. The Synagogue was closed because it is Saturday. There was once a thriving Jewish community, but it is down to less than 10 people. Many immigrated to Israel and the U.S. Their former homes have been occupied by refugees from Cashmere who have many nice things to sell like jewelry, scarves and carpets. The vendors have been everywhere saying, "Madam, just a few minutes of your time".
Yesterday we visited St. Francis Church where Vasco de Gama was once interred. The church is the oldest Christian Church in India. First it was Catholic under the Portuguese, then Protestant under the Dutch, and finally Anglican under the English which it remains. The Church adopted some Hindu practices like removing your shoes.
We also visited a vast public laundry where things have not changed much in the last few centuries.