Author Archives: annetbell

Unknown's avatar

About annetbell

I am a retired elementary teacher, well seasoned world traveler,new blogger, grandmother, and a new enthusiastic discoverer of the wonderfully complex country of India. Anne

Taj Mahal

Posted on March 18, 2013 by annetbell

The Taj Mahal  is one of the world’s most famous and recognizable buildings. Remember a forlorn Princess Diana sitting on the famous bench, all alone?  Her prince was not with her. According to our guide, the Shah, who had this … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Wagah

Posted on March 15, 2013 by annetbell

Darn, just when I thought today’s post would be a short, fun description of the famous nightly border closing ceremony at Wagah, we went to see Attacks of 26/11. Though it was in Hindi, the message was very clear in … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Jantar Mantar

Posted on March 14, 2013 by annetbell

This is one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh II and is the best preserved and  largest. The park contains sixteen instruments and after four hundred years some are still used to forecast hot summers, the expected … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Pink City

Posted on March 13, 2013 by annetbell

Filled with anticipation, I arrived in the Pink City of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. In fact, it was my first question to our guide. He laughed and told me of another tourist who planned her whole trip around sighting … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Home with Ginger

Posted on March 12, 2013 by annetbell

                Today, I feel frivolous!  Never having had a linear thought in my life, I have decided to take a detour of my stories from the North and describe our return to “A” Town, (Ahmedabad) … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

A Fairy-Tale City….Udaipur

Posted on March 11, 2013 by annetbell

The City Palace dominates the Eastern shore of the lake. The architecture is a blending of Raiput  military with Mughal style decoration.  Today, the palace is a combination museum and luxurious hotel. There are many 5 * hotels including a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

North to Rajasthan

Posted on March 10, 2013 by annetbell

Our first stop was the state of Rajasthan which is rich in magnificent palaces, ancient, crumbling  forts, colorful bazaars, and tourists everywhere.   The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was shot here. More on that later. The desert dwellers of this part … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Rock Stars !?!

Posted on February 21, 2013 by annetbell

Ahmedabad is not a tourist destination. It is a working class city which used to be called the Manchester (UK) of India due to the many fabric mills. It could also be dubbed the Boston of India because of the … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged | 18 Comments

North Trip Itinerary

Posted on February 21, 2013 by annetbell

  The following is the itinerary for the north trip.  You will be able to follow along with our journey north filled with sacred and secular architecture.  We will be gone from this Saturday and return on March 10th. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Palitana, Gujarat from 2/13/13

Posted on February 17, 2013 by annetbell

Our trip began at five in the morning for a one-way five hour tour coach ride. Travelling in the country is slow going as many of the roads are only two lanes. It was quite nerve wracking as I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Uncategorized | Tagged | 13 Comments