India 2023

 We flew to Jaiaalmer mid-day from Delhi.  Being aloft really allowed me to see how polluted Delhi is, barely being able to see the ground right after we lifted off.  Looks extremely unhealthy. The airport in Jaisalmer is a military installation because of the proximity to Pakistan, so no photos were allowed after we landed.  We drove directly to  Bada Bagh  complex where the royal family members were cremated.  The multiple structures are carved from yellow limestone blocks with the different sizes representing the rank of the family members.  The complex is surrounded by a windfarm which gives an interested mix of ancient and modern.  There was also a goat herder in the distance moving his goats to I don't know where. We drove a short distance to take evening shots of the  Jaisalmer Fort  that sits up on a hill over looking the modernish town.  This fort is still home to the former ruling Mulraj and is home to nearly 1/4 of t...

 We had an early morning wake-up call to return to the Taj Mahal for a sunrise shoot.  What a difference a day makes!  Todays throng was much more European centric, with a lot of the women decked out in their finest for social media opportunities.  Along with this new mix, I didn’t get asked once to have my photo taken. The opening reminded me somewhat of Epcot with people running to get their spot for the sunrise.  I found a location I liked then waited for it to peep through.  It’s funny how tourist seem to think their shot is the most important, asking others who had paid the same price fo admission to move.  I got what I wanted then moved on. This morning I took advantage of our time here to visit the main tomb.  No photos are allowed inside and you’re herded in a circle to see the intricate inlay work of precious precious and semi-precious gems.  There’s no painting, just the inlay.  I’m very glad I took the time to visit.  I w...

 We were awake early because we were catching an 8:15 train to Agra for a one night stay.  We were on a newer train that was promised to be very fast and modern.  I would need to see the alternative to make a judgement on this but I don’t think Japan needs to worry about competition. On arrival in Agra we boarded our bus and went directly to  The Red Fort .  Appropriately named, the huge outer wall of the fort is very red.  Two outer motes protected the fort, one with crocodiles and the other with tigers.  The entrance to the fort has a sharp turn in it because running elephants that might be used to tear down the outer door were unable to make such a sharp turn.  The fort has been owned by seven different dynasties and is currently owned by the Indian government.   The fort is quite large (94 acres) and is more accurately described as a walled city.  There are many structures inside which served in such capacities as housing for the har...

 This morning several of us took a car arranged by the hotel to go to Old Delhi.  This is the chaos I think people think of when they think of India.  We were told to ask the drivers to stay so that we had a way back to the hotel with someone that knew where they were going.  Best move ever. Fist we stopped at  India Gate  , a war memorial to soldiers who died in the WWI.  While giving a very cool mist effect, you could really see how poor the air quality is in Delhi.  I have to think that respiratory disease is rampant.   The traffic here is organized chaos.  There I go using that chaos word again.  I believe that may be the theme of the trip but perhaps it's only in the big cities.  Somehow the combination of cars, bikes, tuk tuks and pedestrians all share the road while barely missing each other.  Since this was once an English colony they drive on the left side of the road.  I wouldn't want to try it! Our cars sto...