Mumbai (Bombay)

This weekend I traveled to Mumbai, India's financial and commercial capital and the 2nd largest city in the world (approx. 14 million). However, there is a stark difference in the financial position of the people of Mumbai, home to Bollywood and one of Asia's largest slums. Regardless, Mumbai is a unique and diverse city with something for everyone. I visited the Prince of Wales museum, Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Chor Bazaar and Marine Drive.

The Gateway of India was constructed in 1924.

Victoria Terminus is one of the world's busiest train stations. Scenes from Slumdog Millionaire were filmed at Victoria Terminus.

A boy steering an ox wagon loaded down with block ice through a busy street.

Mumbai (Bombay)

I stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace on Sunday night. This was one of the targets in the December 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. The hotel is situated across the street from the Gateway of India and overlooks the Arabian Sea.

You can still see soot on the bricks from the fire that broke out.

Pool pics

Lobby

New Delhi

I got back to New Delhi around 9:00 pm Saturday night and got some spicy chicken tikka wraps and washed 'em down with a few cold beers. I only had 3 hours Sunday morning and decided to walk down to the India Gate, which is situated in the heart of New Delhi.

The India gate is a war memorial dedicated to soldiers who lost their lives in WWI and the Afgan wars.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the presidential palace located a short distance from the India Gate. The palace was constructed in the early 1900s when King George V moved India's capital from Calcutta to Delhi.

The government buildings that flank the presidential palace have a blend of British and Indian architecture.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar beginning in 1570 and served as the empire's capital from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned for reasons that remain unclear. Fatehpur Sikri is located about 26 km northwest of Agra. We toured the abandoned city after visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Legend has it that an underground tunnel stretches from Fatehpur Sikri to Delhi. Due to nonmaintenance, the tunnel is closed at 500 m. I was tempted explore the tunnel but decided against it as I was sure I would be robbed.


A look back at the Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence) from inside the Jama Masjid (Indian mosque).

Buildings of Fatehpur Sikri

Panch Mahal

More buildings of Fatehpur Sikri

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

At dusk, as we were setting up camp, our guide spotted some elephants on the opposite side of Periyar lake. We rowed a bamboo raft across the lake and tied off to a stump but by this time it was dark. The guide shined a flash light on the wild elephants. The females started stirring and headed for cover. Then the guide shined the light on the bull who isolated at the waters edge. The bull trumpeted and started stomping off into the forest. It was definitely the highlight of the trip.

Periyar Lake

Gaur

Warthogs

Okay, so we didn't see these elephants on our camping trip. We stopped in Cumily, a small town near Periyar, and took some pictures of domesticated elephants.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

A few weeks ago, my roommates and I went on a guided overnight trek through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Our guide was a former poacher and knew the forest well. We spotted a variety of wildlife including gaur, sambar deer, dholes (Indian wild dogs), warthogs and elephants.

Periyar lake

The forest canopy

Lizard

Orange and black frog

Two bats hanging from a Banyan tree

Athirappilly & Vazhachal Falls

It is monsoon season now in southern India, something I overlooked when taking this assignment (not that it would have changed my mind). The rain comes down really hard but only lasts for about and hour or so. The one advantage of being in southern India during monsoon season is that you have the opportunity to see some really cool waterfalls! On Sunday, I took a day trip to see Athirappilly & Vazhachal Falls.

Overlooking Athirappilly Falls

Athirappilly Falls from the bank of the river

Monkey business...

Vazhachal Falls

Agra Fort

Agra Fort dates back to the 11th century. This fort was occupied by several Mughal Emporers including Shah Jahan, who built the beautiful Taj Mahal. Agra Fort was also the site of one of the battles during the Indian Rebellion against the British.


One of two gates to Agra Fort

Diwan I Am is a large public hall in the center of Agra Fort

A mosque located inside of Agra Fort.

Elaborate carvings

Shah Jahan died on this balcony overlooking the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal

I arrived in New Delhi around 10:00 pm on Friday and took a 4 hour car ride to Agra. I slept for about 2 or 3 hours and arrived at the Taj Mahal at sunrise on Saturday morning. The Taj Mahal is the most amazing man-made structure I have ever seen!

First glimpse of the Taj Mahal from the Great Gate.

The Taj Mahal was constructed between 1632-1653 by Shah Jahan, who built the beautiful Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj is flanked to the East and West by identical red sandstone buildings, one of which is a mosque.

Tommy @ the Taj Mahal

NE view of the Taj

East side of the Taj at sunrise

Taj Mahal

The reflecting pool (which was dry Saturday morning) leading up to the Taj Mahal.

A view of the mausoleum from the Chahar Bagh gardens.

The Taj is covered with Islamic calligraphy and floral decorations.

Plant motifs are carved on the inside and outside walls of the Taj.

The elaborate inlay consists of jasper, jade, turquise, lapis, lazuli and sapphire.

Kate and Tommy @ Maldives

Kate and I took a 1 hour flight from Trivandrum, India to Male, the capital of the Maldives. Male has a population of 100,000 while the Maldives has a total population of 350,000. The Maldives is the smallest country, in terms of size and population, in all of Asia.

A view of the city's skyline from Male airport. We transferred to the resort by speedboat!

Kate and I had so much fun here. We definitely got our fill of sun, white, sandy beaches and cold drinks! We even fed sharks in the lagoon behind us in this photo!

Views from the patio of our beach front room.

Kate at the Anchorage Bar at sunset. I am one lucky man! ;)