Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Jaipur - Amber Fort
From the road
We needed an elephant to ride up to the fort. Views during the elephant ride:
This is a really huge fort, with walls and guard houses(?) up in the mountains:
The elephant ride ended inside the fort's courtyard
Inside the fort, there are palaces. I was kind of lazy to take pictures already so, here are some that I managed to get:
There was even a building decorated with mirror slivers arranged in beautiful patters.
There's still a lot to see in India and someday maybe I could go back there!
We needed an elephant to ride up to the fort. Views during the elephant ride:
This is a really huge fort, with walls and guard houses(?) up in the mountains:
The elephant ride ended inside the fort's courtyard
Inside the fort, there are palaces. I was kind of lazy to take pictures already so, here are some that I managed to get:
There was even a building decorated with mirror slivers arranged in beautiful patters.
There's still a lot to see in India and someday maybe I could go back there!
Jaipur
We rode the train from Agra to Jaipur (a sleeper train with beds and curtains!) I got a bit sick (ok really sick) so I wasn't with them the first day of shopping and some sightseeing.
Second day in Jaipur, despite still being a bit clammy, I went to do some sightseeing!
The Palace of the Winds
We also went to the City Palace, which is still where the reigning Maharajah(?) lives:
A peacock from the Peacock Gate inside the City Palace
Pictures from the Amber Fort in the next post.
Second day in Jaipur, despite still being a bit clammy, I went to do some sightseeing!
The Palace of the Winds
We also went to the City Palace, which is still where the reigning Maharajah(?) lives:
A peacock from the Peacock Gate inside the City Palace
Pictures from the Amber Fort in the next post.
Batad
G and I got another voucher from Cashcashpinoy. This time for a Batad weekend arranged by Access8 Tours and Events. There were about twenty of us, including our two guides for the weekend.
We went to the Ohayami Bus Station straight from the office. It was a long bus ride to Banaue and we tried to get as much sleep as we could.
We arrived at our Banaue stop in time for breakfast. The view from the window:
After breakfast, we got on a jeep (some of them rode on the roof -- toploading) to get to the Batad saddle where our trek would start. The jeep ride lets you appreciate a lot of the views and the mountains!
From the saddle, there was another long walk (maybe because I was too slow) to the inn where we will stay. It was uphill and downhill and tiring! (And we had to do it all over again, going back!)
A photo on the trail:
View of the rice terraces from the registration booth (community registration or something):
Simon's Place, where we stayed, was just a short walk away. And had these views:
After lunch and some rest, we went on a trek to view the rice terraces from the terrace itself...
It was a hard trek (for me) and I wanted to just stop and turn around. But good thing I didn't because the views are spectacular. One time, I wasn't paying attention and sank my left foot in ankle deep mud. On the way down, we took the easier path (it's relative) and took the stairs!
It was so steep and the steps were a bit too big for me. If we'd used these going up, I really wouldn't have made it.
On the second day, we were supposed to go the the Tappia Falls which would be basically almost the same climb as going to the top of the terraces and then a bit of way down to get to the waterfalls. I totally wimped out on that one, and instead stayed at the inn.
So, I got pictures of the rest of our group as they walked on the edges of the terraces on their way to the falls!
Fun fun fun! Despite the muscle pain I suffered for the next 2 or 3 days. Hehehe. I think I should go back to finally see the falls, but I should get in shape first.
We went to the Ohayami Bus Station straight from the office. It was a long bus ride to Banaue and we tried to get as much sleep as we could.
We arrived at our Banaue stop in time for breakfast. The view from the window:
After breakfast, we got on a jeep (some of them rode on the roof -- toploading) to get to the Batad saddle where our trek would start. The jeep ride lets you appreciate a lot of the views and the mountains!
From the saddle, there was another long walk (maybe because I was too slow) to the inn where we will stay. It was uphill and downhill and tiring! (And we had to do it all over again, going back!)
A photo on the trail:
View of the rice terraces from the registration booth (community registration or something):
Simon's Place, where we stayed, was just a short walk away. And had these views:
After lunch and some rest, we went on a trek to view the rice terraces from the terrace itself...
It was a hard trek (for me) and I wanted to just stop and turn around. But good thing I didn't because the views are spectacular. One time, I wasn't paying attention and sank my left foot in ankle deep mud. On the way down, we took the easier path (it's relative) and took the stairs!
It was so steep and the steps were a bit too big for me. If we'd used these going up, I really wouldn't have made it.
On the second day, we were supposed to go the the Tappia Falls which would be basically almost the same climb as going to the top of the terraces and then a bit of way down to get to the waterfalls. I totally wimped out on that one, and instead stayed at the inn.
So, I got pictures of the rest of our group as they walked on the edges of the terraces on their way to the falls!
Fun fun fun! Despite the muscle pain I suffered for the next 2 or 3 days. Hehehe. I think I should go back to finally see the falls, but I should get in shape first.
Agra - Itmud ud Daulah's Tomb or the Baby Taj
It was late afternoon (after a nice lunch for K's birthday) when we finally went to the Baby Taj. (Google!)
Some details of the exterior
Inside, it was also intricately decorated (with restoration efforts still visible)
We tried to catch the sunset across the river from the Taj Mahal but it was cloudy. So we went back to the hotel for dinner and packing. Early morning train to Jaipur!
Some details of the exterior
Inside, it was also intricately decorated (with restoration efforts still visible)
We tried to catch the sunset across the river from the Taj Mahal but it was cloudy. So we went back to the hotel for dinner and packing. Early morning train to Jaipur!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Agra Fort
After the Taj Mahal, we went back to our hotel for the buffet breakfast.:) And then went to see the Agra Fort, which is, ohmygod, another fort!
Here's my mom right outside the gate to the fort. (She's carrying her folding chair that doubles as a cane.)
The view off to the side
Inside, there's a bit of an uphill walk (oh, but this one's taken while going back)
One of the many buildings inside
and a close-up of its detail
Other structures inside
Some more of the magnificent stone screens
You can climb up to the upper levels of the fort and view the Taj Mahal from there. I didn't take a picture anymore. Here's a picture from the upper level:
A panoramic attempt
It's was really hot that day so we ended up not visiting all the other buildings inside the fort.
Here's my mom right outside the gate to the fort. (She's carrying her folding chair that doubles as a cane.)
The view off to the side
Inside, there's a bit of an uphill walk (oh, but this one's taken while going back)
One of the many buildings inside
and a close-up of its detail
Other structures inside
Some more of the magnificent stone screens
You can climb up to the upper levels of the fort and view the Taj Mahal from there. I didn't take a picture anymore. Here's a picture from the upper level:
A panoramic attempt
It's was really hot that day so we ended up not visiting all the other buildings inside the fort.
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