On to Dillon

 Colorado by Auto Trek, Major adventures  Comments Off on On to Dillon
Jul 152013
 

The last leg of the journey was surprisingly beautiful as we explored Arches National Park north of Moab, Utah and then into the alpine mountains of Colorado. Both are lands of extreme contrasts and stunning beauty.

Right beside the Colorado River

Right beside the Colorado River

Lunch Stop by the River

Lunch Stop by the River

Close Up and Accessible

Close Up and Accessible

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The Powerful Colorado River Carving Its Way

Early Castle Valley explored by the Mormons

Early Castle Valley explored by the Mormons

Canyonlands formations arising in the distance.

Arches National Park formations arising in the distance.

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Native Americans just like artisans around the world selling their creations along overlooks.

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Headed into the heart of the country.

We had a relaxed and welcoming week with Eric, Kerri, Henry and Eliot at their lovely spacious vacation home in Dillon, Colorado. Although the boys spent most days in Science Camp, they were home in the evening for sessions of basketball or a movie.
Morning hikes began just out the front door and up the mountains into valleys still sprinkled with wild flowers. After walks, Kerri and Michele explored Breckenridge, Vail and Frisco poking into every corner and cranny of their fun and unique shops. Seldom up to shop, Bob and Eric fished Dillon Lake as well as the many local streams practicing their catch and release skills. Daily showers and sometimes downpours kept all the greenery glistening and the air crisp and clean. It is such exquisite country and invites exploration it is no wonder that everyone looks fit and glowing.

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Our first view of Dillon from the highway includes the lake.

Eric on a daily ride, this time with Uncle Ashe.

Eric on a daily ride, this time with Uncle Ashe.

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Eric fishing Dillon Lake with Uncle Ashe but just like he did with his dad during our visit.

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Eric at the top of Loveland pass.

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Bob and Michele at the highest point in our trip.

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Sunset Arriving

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Sunset Sliding Over the Valley

View from the Dillon Deck

View from the Nelson’s Dillon Deck

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Yet Another Gorgeous Dillon Sky from the Nelson’s Deck

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A visti to Keystone to try to buy winter lift tickets.

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Keystone, yet another charming and family oriented village.

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Lunch after a Breckenridge shopping and exploring adventure-delicious and festive.

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We just finished a wonderful lunch in Breckenridge. Waiting for the showers to arrive and savoring our time together.

Roussillon, Gordes and Surrounds Today

 Major adventures, Spain & France  Comments Off on Roussillon, Gordes and Surrounds Today
Oct 152012
 

Although Gordes history includes Roman occupation as evidenced by ruins throughout the area, their claim to fame really began in the 8th century. A Benedictine Abbey, Saint Chaffrret, was founded by monks. The building site was an ancient Roman temple that had been destroyed by the Moorish invasion. These literal layers of human history are fascinating, Then in 1031 a castle was added to the site and thus it became known as the Castrum Gordone or the nobile castrum.

During World War II Gordes was an active resistance village and was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

After the war the beauty of the countryside and the uniqueness of Gordes attracted Marc Chagall and his friends like Vasarely for extended periods.

On our way home we stopped at the Museum of Lavender to learn all about the medicinal, therapeutic and aromatic powers of the herb.

Today the Mistral wind blew at full force, cold and unrelenting. Locals told us that rain follows diminished wind. We shall see.

Elephanta Island

 Major adventures, Southern India, Sri Lanka  Comments Off on Elephanta Island
Apr 252012
 

The island of Elephanta, an hour ferry ride from Mumbai, is described on the UNESCO website as “the glorious abode of Lord Shiva.” The seven caves at the site are considered the epitome of Hindu cave culture. Images from Hindu mythology pantheon decorate the temples.

The date of the Elephanta Caves is  debated and varies from the 6th century to the 8th century based on the findings of different archeologists. The caves constitute one of the most striking collections of rock art in India.

There are two groups of caves.  The main cave, famous for its carvings to the glory of Shiva, consists of a square hall plan with the interior divided into smaller areas by rows of supports.  This interior space carefully imitates a building.  False profiled beams have been carved into the roof  and the supports are in the shapes of the pillars, columns and capitals prevalent in stone architecture.   Colossal figures of dvarapala guardians flank the entry.  Enormous high-reliefs depicting the life of Shiva are on each wall of the vast square sacred assembly space.  Ten other reliefs, placed in each angle of the main hall and in the aisles to the east and west, depict further episodes from the legend of Shiva, such as the marriage of Shiva to Parvati, Shiva killing the devil Andhaka. Additionally the 15 large reliefs surrounding the lingam chapel in the main Elephanta Cave not only constitute one of the greatest examples of Indian art but also one of the most important collections for the cult of Shiva.

A popular destination, visitors include locals on day excursions, Indian tourists as well as tourists worldwide.  Although they come for the caves, all visitors are fascinated by the the bold and very aggressive pack of monkeys that will steal anything from anyone at any moment.  Although I was very cautious after warnings from our guide,  sure enough I lost my water bottle on which Mama Monkey promptly unscrewed the lid and gave Baby a drink. Maybe cute but it was alarming for me!!!!
Source: UNESCO

Daily Mumbai Details…

 Major adventures, Southern India, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Daily Mumbai Details…
Apr 242012
 

Mumbi is more, much more, than I expected. Somehow I had dismissed this megapolis as overcrowded, traffic congested, slum ridden and very focused on powerful mega-money and famous film stars. All of that is true but it is so much more. We left wishing that we could have spent two or three more days exploring the historic Fort area on foot.  Walk abouts are the best way to really see, smell, taste and treasure  a neighborhood.

What a day of intense contrasts! We started the morning at one of Bombay’s many Dhobi Ghats, “the world’s largest outdoor laundry.”   Established by the early 19th century English, the system is still going strong and here in Bombay is done primarily by men.   Like in Kochin, Dalits rent space from the government and develop their own clientele ranging from the railroad (sleeper cars) or hotels to individual families.

We  then made a too quick visit to Mani Bhavan, the famous mansion from which Mahatma Gandhi established his nonviolent resistance movement.  It felt like sacred space.   He had resided  there for 17 years and today it is a museum celebrating Gamdi’s life and accomplishments.

Off to the Hanging Gardens of Mumbai, terraced gardens atop Malabar Hill are dotted with fountains and flowerbeds, and one cobbled walkway and surrounded by incredible mansions of some of the world richest families.

Shivaji Terminus, now known as Victoria Terminus in honor of Queen Victoria, or “Bombay VT” to the locals. This historic railway station and home base of Mumbai’s Central Railway boasts stunning Victorian Gothic architecture and beautifully ornamental fixtures, some of which were painstakingly crafted by students at the Bombay School of Art.

Certainly one of the most amazing, unique to Mumbi discoveries, was witnessing the tiffin delivery service from the local train station.  Dabbawalas are the men who make sure that nearly 200,000 people get their lunch in time delivered from their home to their offices or schools, everyday. It is a step process. A dabbawala picks up the packed Tiffin, takes it to the train station, puts it on the train. It is picked up at the train station by a different dabbawala who takes the tiffins to those wallas who deliver them to the final destination. After lunch the empty tiffins are delivered back to their home. This is done every working day for a fee of about $10 per month. A dabba is simply a tiffin box carrying home-cooked food, which is to be delivered from the home to a person in an office or a school. And a dabbawala is a person who picks up the food from the home, and ensures that it is delivered to the right office, to the right person on time. The operation started in 1890 by the English Today 5,000 Dabbawalas deliver 200,000 daily tiffins.

Click this line to view a YouTube video of this amazing system.

After a full morning and early afternoon we boarded Air India at 10 PM for Delhi with a two hour layover, Transfer to our JFK flight consumed the ENTIRE two hours as we went through their redundant search process. We arrived in NYC this morning to a crisp clear day and will be in San Diego tonight by 10 PM tired but grateful for an exciting adventure.

Gadding about Goa II

 Major adventures, Southern India, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Gadding about Goa II
Apr 202012
 

After our neighborhood walkabout and our visit to the Goa Chitra we lunched in the 18th century Palacios Do Deo. A 213 year old mansion built by a Portuguese man who founded the village of Quempem, it is with the visit. The building and gardens have been carefully researched, restored and furnished of the period by a local builder and business man whose family has lived in the region for generations.

The restaurant served a luncheon feast of Indo-Portuguese delicacies served on an airy veranda overlooking the gardens. Every item was cooked fresh and to perfection including all the specialty breads which emerged warm from the ovens. The other clientele was a delightful mix of splurging locals and a young honeymoon couple returning soon to England after their local wedding.

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