Village close to Gurgaon

This week Susanna and I went for a drive out to the villages close to Gurgaon.

Our first stop, a small private temple with wonderful paintings

Susanna finds the best pics

The Temple

Each temple has wonderful figurines

The Ladies and children were shopping

The real reason for the stop was to see these huts made out of cow paddies...

It is harvest season here.  Fields and fields with women, men and children working. Cut by hand, carried and stacked

Farms had milk cows, water buffalo, camels, goats, chickens

He Loved his picture taken.

The cow paddie huts were decorated

We found an old mosque dating back 500 years

These carry the chipped straw, Big Load

Bangles and Bangles

If you look close at this plant, it is very interesting.... growing wild in this village

Great trip to the country side, I look forward to more.  The people we met were kind to let us take photos

2014 02 Agra

February 15, 2014 Angela and Lila arrived from Muscat.

February 16 we drove to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.  They were kind enough to arrive Saturday so John could join us on our trip to see the Taj.  

  A very Foggy Morning.

Shah Jahan 1 married Mumtaz Muhal, she was his third wife and his favourite. She died in Burhanpur 1631 giving birth to their 13th child.  Her body was carried in a golden casket to Agra. It was interred in a small building on the banks of the river Yamuna. 

Shah Jahan began planning the design and construction of a suitable mausoleum and funerary garden in Agra for his wife, it would take more than 22 years to complete the Taj Mahal.

There is so much more to write about, I hope to share its beauty with more friends and family.

The Agra Fort or Red Fort took eight years to build and was completed in 1873.

John and Kathy, Angela and Lila

Soon We had clear blue skies.

After our wonderful day, John left with our driver to go back to Gurgaon.  Myself, Angela and Lila stayed over night in Agra and continued onto Jaipur.
We enjoyed sunset across the river with a another look at the Taj.

First Guests 2014

February, 2014

I was delighted to receive an email from Angela, a wonderful friend from Houston, who lives in Muscat.
After a bit of difficulty, Angela and Lila received their visas and arrived in Delhi.

True to my past history, the girls hit the ground running.

Our first stop after airport pickup at 9:30 am was the Qutab Minar   73 m high tower, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak.  The first three storeys are red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are marble and sandstone.

The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque was the first mosque built in India.

Construction started in 1200 AD and continued with more additions til 1315

Amazing what can be carried on a bicycle ...

We also wondered through a Mela, or market that was at a village close to Gurgaon.

Angela found shoes..

The Market was full of colour, music, buyers, sellers, families.

The next day we were up and on the road to Agra before 6 am. I am thrilled that John could also join us to see the Taj Mahal.  Our drive was 3 hours.

A very foggy morning

Delhi January 2014

January we returned back to Gurgaon.  We had a very long trip from Canada; 36 hours.
Our apartment was a little dusty but I am lucky to have help from Frankie and Elizabeth.  I will take pics of them soon.

Today I want to share my two trips to Delhi, hosted by Delhi Network Ladies.

Thursday 23rd January

Lodi Gardens

Delhi Sultanate Period (Lodi and Sayyid)

Tomb of Mohammed Shah Sayid

Water always makes a park look nice

Masala Tea

The entire family was working here, the young boy looked to be about 8

Tomb of Sikandar Lodi

Love Birds

A Quiet moment

Well used, park very clean

Bada Gumbad

Mosque of 1494

I have heard many wonderful thinks about Lodi Gardens, now I know why. I hope to return and enjoy  the park later in the spring when more flowers are out.

We had more than 10 Ladies on the tour, our guides did a great job.  I hope I can remember a bit of the history.

I joined two new friends for a lovely lunch. And they showed me a few more stores in Delhi.

Wednesday 22 January

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, the most prominent Sikh Gudwara or Sikh house of worship in Delhi.

Holy Water is offered to everyone

A Hot Meal is offered, Hundred line up everyday

Ladies Making Bread

Our day was rainy, therefore not as many people

I enjoyed two great days in Delhi.  Looking forward to more