Bangalore - Mysore - Hyderabad

Hi guys,

I know I still have to write about Peru, which seemed like decades ago, but I just can't help myself - I have to fill you in on my latest adventures in India. On 11th April 2007, i took a vacation from my vacation.

Having completed a 1 week Part 1 Art of Living course in Mumbai, I decided to do the part 2 course at the main Ashram in Bangalore (photo). The course was 4 days from 12th Apr-15th Apr. It was an interesting and personal experience. The Art of Living courses focus on breathing techniques and meditation to take you deep within yourself. I strongly recommend these courses to anyone who wants to reconnect with themselves. I think we spend a lot of time trying to meet new people and please others and less time with ourselves. These courses are a great way to go back to the most important things in our life. If anyone wants to know more about it, I will be happy to share.

After Bangalore I headed to Mysore where I spent some time practicing yoga, chillin' out with new friends and just relaxing. Mysore is a quaint Indian city - probably a few decades behind metropolitan cities such as Mumbai and Delhi- but that's what makes it so charming. The pace of life is slow and it's a great place to relax. When you go there, I strongly recommend visiting the Mysore palace (see photo). It is absolutely stunning. Take a tour inside and then watch it light up on a Sunday night. It's completely magical. Jaganmohan Palace is an art gallery with some great paintings and also fantastic old furniture. I recommend getting a guide to explain the paintings as some of them have to be viewed in a specific way to be truly appreciated. You will find a lot of yoga shala's here and many students come to stay for 2-3 months and practice yoga with some of the best yoga teachers in the world. I really enjoyed the friendly and welcoming attitude of the locals and overseas travellers here. I visited a very nice ayurvedic resort called the windflower and got some great massage treatments, etc...what can i say - it's a tough life...lol. I want to say thanks to Mikey, Pramod and Ajay for making this visit memorable.

Ok, now we come to, what i would unexpectedly call one of my favourite cities in India- Hyderabad. I show up after an excruciating 16 hr bus ride (thank god for the travel sickness tablets I had got from Brazil - at least that's what i hope i was taking - since the label is completely in Portuguese). I had organised my stay for 4 days only - afterall what did I know of Hyderabad - I was just there to attend my friend Parikshit's wedding. All I can say is 4 days is simply not enough. This city has the best of both worlds- the old and new. Old Hyderabad is full of amazing Mogul architecture like 'Char Minar'. There are beautiful mosques scattered throughout the city. New areas such as Secunderabad, Banjara Hills have posh modern buildings and the latest fashion, lifestyle and comforts. The mansions would rival any Beverley Hills mansion. This is one of the rare cities which has successfully managed to amalgamate the old and new. I was lucky to be welcomed with open arms by Parikshit, Rajesh and their families. Rajesh (a friend who was the cinematographer of my short film) spent all his time making my experience of Hyderabad an amazing one. To get to the point - one of the greatest highlights of any historical place I have visited in the world lies right here in Hyderabad. It's a place I had never heard of and most locals don't bother visiting - and it is the place i would recommend everyone to visit if they have any interest in Indian history. If you have 2 reasons only to come to India - let them be the Taj Mahal in Agra, and Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.

Golconda fort looks like any old fort, but the tourism board of this state have managed to make it an "experience". I went to the light and sound show- which i was expecting to be like a tackier version of a light show i saw in las Vegas (if that is possible). I don't want to give away too much, but this show is the best gift the State government is giving to the people of India and the world. This light and sound show transported me to 16th century India and the reign of emperors for generations. I was there while one emperor did everything for the prosperity of his kingdown while his son got him assasinated. Generations after, I was there when a son of an emperor fell in love with a common girl and changed the course of the city. I was there when classical music, dance and art took birth in this city. You just have to go there yourself. It is a moving and powerful experience.

I also went to these amazing tombs called Qutub Shahi tombs (photo). This place is very picturesque with about 15 taj mahal-like tombs among gardens. Ofcourse they are much smaller than the Taj Mahal, but still the size of a good 4-5 storey building. Another highlight is the Salarjung museum - make sure you give yourself 2 days and a pair of comfortable walking shoes if you want to appreciate this spectactular cluster of relics from the past.

Anyway, I am back in bustling Mumbai now. Will write more later. Love you all! Jag.

Congratulations to Sashi and Clarence!

I just wanted to say Congratulations to one of my closest friends, Sashi and the love of her life, Clarence. They both recently got married and unfortunately I was out of the country and couldn't attend. Here are a couple of my favourite photos from the event thanks to Marshie. I love you guys. Have an exciting and happy married life!

London- Oxford, a little "trip".

Myself, Shilpa and Amrita went to explore Oxford, a beautiful uni town with amazing architecture. We went away for the weekend (a few weeks ago - will fill exact date in later). It made me want to go back to Uni. We stayed over at a B& B in a really quiet countryside town called Morton in Marsh and overall had a very lazy weekend eating scones with jam and clotted cream....yummmm!

We had to catch a train from Oxford to Morton in Marsh and we were running late. I was the only one carrying a small suitcase which made the loudest sound as the wheels rolled along the ground. So we ran - and we ran - and I fell. I fell with all my might from dragging the mini suitcase behind me and tripping over. My sunglasses flew somewhere and i was sprawled on the footpath with a grazed elbow and bruised thigh reminding me of my year 9 ski trip...This would have been a hilarious sight. But Shilpa and Amrita were too kind to laugh. I asked them later in a bar "how did you know i had fallen since you both were running infront of me...was it because of the big "thud"? Amrita replied "actually it was because there was sudden silence and your suitcase wheels could no longer be heard"...lol. We reached the station finally and saw our train on the opposite platform. We watched as it passed....hmm...

Intro to Part 4- Peruvian Adventures, a trailer.

Hi guys, It’s been a while since I wrote. I know I still haven’t gotten around to telling you about my Adventures in Peru but I wanted to at least post a few more pics- this time originals from the trip. Since there is so much to write, I have decided to split it into 3 sections. Part 4a- “Chicha Morada-the purple corn!” Here I will explain my entry into the beautiful city of Lima and the Catacombs. Part 4b- “Macchu Picchu- why couldn’t the Inca’s build it on a beach?” Which as the name suggests will describe the mystical and sometimes rather painstaking journey through the Inca trail to Macchu Picchu. Finally I will finish up with Part 4c- “The frog that became a snake”. I know- strange title right? Well, all will be explained soon. Here you will be transported to the Amazon Jungle amongst the giant tarantulas and garlic trees.
Anyway, please check some of the past entries again for some photos that I have added. There are more to come.
Luv you all,
Jag.

London- WICKED- "No good deed goes unpunished!"

Hey guys,

just a quick one. I've been in London for about 4 weeks now. Heading to Mumbai soon-extremely sad to leave london. It's been great since I have met up with some old Melbournian friends such as Shilpa, Kavi, JJ, Gajan and Darshini. Last night (22/03/07) JJ, Darsh, Gajan and I went to check out what turned out to be one of the best musicals I have seen. It's called "Wicked". A very original and clever take on the 'Wizard of Oz' from the perspective of the wicked witch of the west and the good witch. It's bizarre that both Gajan and myself thought of George Bush as soon as we saw the Wizard of Oz character. The musical touches on issues of discrimination and individuality and how we tend to label 'good' or 'wicked' based on the truths that are being told to us by - well, the George Bush's of the world. It's fascinating and the performances were outstanding! I'm not even into musicals but this is one worth watching!

Will say more later.

Keep writing.

Love you all, Jag.

Part 7- BRAZIL- Carnavale, Coconuts & Capoeira!

We arrived in Salvador yesterday and shamefully went to bed by 9pm on a Friday night during Carnavale. I know we are disappointing many people, but we promise to make it up tonight and the next night and the next. Afterall the Carnivale is on for 5 nights!! We spent the day wondering around Pelhourinho which was my personal favourite part of Salvadore. People were scattered through the cobble-stoned streets and squares and we could hear the sounds of afro-drums everywhere we went. It really is a carnavale all day long here. Tonight we will hang around the Barra area attending the carnivale circuuit near the beach. There are 3 different circuits and the party starts from about 1pm until 6am the next day.

More info about the carnavale to come. I did do some Capoeira (see photo above-that´s not me in it btw...lol) when asked by a Capoeria teacher who was more than happy to give me a lesson later. I think he will be waiting for my tonight but I can´t be bothered going all the way back to Perlhourinho. We met up with some friends from our Peru Amazon jungle tour. These gals are from South Africa and we will oarty with them tonight. Uff...all this partying can get so tiring. Everyone has warned us not to carry money in our pockets and not to wear jewellery, especially watches. We will heed their advice.

Rio was spectacular and I really wanted to stay there longer than 2 nights. It rained for a whole day. It´s been raining off and on in Brazil since we came. I think we have brought the Melb weather with us. But that doesn´t stop the Brazillians from partying on the streets.

Fortaleza was beautiful. We stayed in a 5 star hotel called Seara Praia Hotel overlooking the ocean for 3 nights. There were night markets right outside our hotel on the beach and we attended a fabulous folk dancing show at a place called Lupus Bier. The dancing styles were so varied and interesting. I was invited up on the stage along with many other audience menbers to try a form of Brazillian dancing that i had never seen. Don´t know what it´s called either. And the Capoeira has been amazing to watch. I could sit there watching for hours. We also went to the beach to laze about and have overdosed on coconut water...yum!

Anyway,

I better get going! Hope all is well. Ciao,

Jag.

Part 6-`OLA` from Paris- Varadero Cuba.

Ola! Above is our hotel Club Amigo which we stayed at for 2 nights in Varadero. And similar to the picture above, that was our backyard beach. Cuba has spoiled us. We call each other 'Paris', because that is whom we have become. We have come a long way from Chile, where we stayed happily in a tiny hostel room with no air con, tv or private ensuite, to complaining about having to pick up our drinks from the bar at the beach instead of having them served to us...lol.

We loved Varadero. People were much friendlier and easy to get along with. I also had my own reason for loving Varadero...*wink*

One night we went clubbing to a salsa club...ufff...again very intimidating- these people can MOVE!!! And after the live music stopped and the dj came on, something happened to Shyama. Well she was approached and pursued by a salsa teacher who made her get DOWN! It was a scene from Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde. So far Shyama has been rather subdued, but after some attention from Mr 'Junior' (as he called himself), she was moving in ways i had forgotten she could move. she was pole dancing and he was the pole! She was getting down and dirty...meanwhile, when i tried to dance with her, Junior pushed me aside in the arms of some gay looking sleazy italian and insisted that he keep Shyama all to himself.

Well, nonetheless, the night was great and i danced my tush off slowly sneaking away from the gay looking sleazy italian-missing the presence of my beautiful eyed boy. Will explain.

Camma, you will be proud to know that I finally put my Spanish to some really good use. A beautiful Cuban boy working at the hotel caught my eye. The whole morning i spent contemplatng whether or not i should approach him. Even though i saw him having breakfast with 2 rather tall, slim and attractive women. Finally I decided to bite the bullet. I approached him. Mind you, earlier he was the one striking up a conversation with me about whether we wanted to book a restaurant for dinner. And where we were from, etc. Anyway, i digress. First I told him 'excuse me, I don't know spanish but i know how to say the important stuff. 'Eres un cuero'. I got a slightly confused reaction. Turns out, this phrase i learnt in Peru is only relevant to Peru and doesn't apply to cuba. it is supposed to mean 'you are a hottie'. Instead in cuba, it is interpreted as you are an interesting person. Doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

Well, I persisted and said (mind you, thanks to the lonely planet phrasebook, I had been practicing this line our whole trip but never used it) 'tienes onos ochos precioso' - which means 'u have beautiful eyes'. And ladies, a cheesy line like that can work especially if you don't know the language. Overall- I got a very positive response and I asked him to take me dancing - he was a great dancer and met up with me in the evening in the hotel's entertainment area. Later not being able to come out with us to a club since (wait for it ladies)- he had no money. That's the problem with men in cuba- they are beautiful but penniless. Such a shame. I took as much advantage of him (his dancing skills only) while I could. Guys - a tip - no matter how handsome you are - if your breath stinks- you have no chance for a kiss. And unfortunately this cuban hunk's breath was not upto standard.

Marshie will be delighted to hear that I actually convinced Shyama to perform Saiyna with me in front of a very small audience at the hotel. The dj loved the indian music so much that he wanted to burn the cd. But since we couldn't see him again, i let him keep it. Now Bollywood tunes will be echoing in Cuba! Viva la Bollywood!

Now we are in Rio and I have to learn 'you have beautiful eyes' in Portuguese. Camma - any tips?

Missing you all!

Luv

Jag.