Grand Escapades
Travel Photography & Travel Experiences of Africa, South America, the Middle-East & Asia
In the streets of Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Lal Ghat, on the eastern shore of Lake Pichola, is a maze of alleys and lanes sprawling through a sea of crème-colored cubic houses. Inside traffic can be mad: scooters, motor-rickshaws, cows, pedestrians and even cars try to make their way through the labyrinth. Pedestrians are at the low end of the pecking order and constantly frightened by scooters cutting by within an inch and blowing their deafening horns. Continue Reading →
View of the City Palace, during a Boat Ride at Sunset, Lake Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
For all those who have wondered all their lives why the name of so many cities in Rajasthan ends in “-pur”, like Jaipur, Jodhpur or Udaipur… here is the key. This final syllable indicates that a Hindi prince founded a city. The ending “-bad”, like in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad or Islamabad, tells of a Muslim founder. Last but not least, ending in “-er” like Ajmer, Bikaner or Jaisalmer, indicates a city of the desert. Our guide, Mr. Singh, who took us around the gigantic City Palace, enlightened us. And this is why we will always remember that Udaipur was founded by Udai Singh… Continue Reading →
Sunrise on the plane from Delhi to Udaipur
No matter how tired you are, the orange-yellow carpet that covers all of Delhi airport (what seems acres and acres) wakes you right up. If this doesn’t, then the tinny, automated voice echoing from each escalator does for sure: “Hold the handrail and mind your step, hold the handrail and mind you step, hold the handrail and mind your step…”
Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Eleven days was all we had to travel through the very east of Rajasthan in April 2012. With so little time at hand, we focused on a limited number of places, to have some opportunities to scratch below the surface. We allowed three days each for Agra, Jaipur and Ranthambhore National Park, and last but not least 1.5 days to explore Delhi. Continue Reading →
Witnessing one of the many processions (this time for peace in the world…) in Jaipur, the Pink City, Rajasthan, India
With only 12 days at hand, temperatures around 40 degrees and India being a rather cheap country, we opted against travelling low budget. Instead we frequented “mid-range” hotels and restaurants. This trip could definitely be done a lot cheaper than spending 44 Euros per person per day. This amount does not include the international flight or the visa fees. Continue Reading →
Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi, India
Even after ten days of visiting Mogul architecture, we wanted more of it. So on our first morning we headed for Humayun’s Tomb. Once inside we understood why the Farsi word for this place is heaven. Built in the mid 16th century by his widow, this Mausoleum brought Persian architecture to Delhi. Majestically it rests on a platform, overlooking the huge walled-in garden. In the midst of Delhi’s traffic jam, an oasis of green and tranquility. It was so tempting to stay, away from the heat and hassle of Delhi’s street… We were already dead tired after wondering around this huge complex. Continue Reading →
Nizzamuddin Train Station, Delhi, India
We are not fond of big cities, so we planned very little time for Delhi. Something we regretted as soon as we realized how much there is to see and how easy it is to get around. Even the pollution did not bother us as much as on the day of our arrival. Continue Reading →
Khem Villas, Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Of the many luxury hotels around Ranthambhore National Park, we picked Khem Villas to relax a few days after our strenuous sightseeing in the heat. The reviews were raving, the peaceful and quiet atmosphere, set in a big well kept ground, the great rooms and what not… Continue Reading →
Khem Villas, Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan, India
The project Tiger Watch was started in the late 1970s by the father of the current owner of the Khem Villas, Mr. Rathore. He devoted his life to establishing the National Park, protecting the tigers and helping and educating the villagers. Without their cooperation, the project would be doomed: cutting down trees for firewood and poaching are the real threats for both the park and the already dangerously low population of tigers. Alternatives like using biomass for cooking and job opportunities in the booming tourism industry should offer a different perspective to the mostly illiterate farmers (literacy of women is a mind-boggling 7%) in one of the poorest areas of India. Continue Reading →
Tiger (?) in Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Who would resist the opportunity of seeing a tiger in the wilderness? Along with a considerable number of other visitors, Indian and international tourists alike, we took this pilgrimage to see one of the very last 32 tigers that roam Ranthambhore National Park. Continue Reading →