When your daughter’s middle name is Ellora, you have to go visit the Ellora Caves in India, especially if you got the name from finding the caves on an atlas.
Category: India
Hello, Mumbai!
We sat watching the sun rise behind the Gateway to India arch on our first day in Mumbai (Bombay). Our overnight train from Panaji had arrived at 5 am and it would be several hours before we could get into our hotel room. The city of millions was just starting to wake.
Goa’s Capital City, Panaji
On our brief visit to Goa’s capital city, Panaji, we found a mix of present day India and old Portuguese colonial influence.
We stayed in the Fontainhas area with its winding alleys, colorful buildings, and European style balconies overlooking it all.
Being Beach Bums on Palolem Beach in Goa
A visit to Goa isn’t complete without spending some time on a Goan beach. Goa is known for its party backpacker scene (which we weren’t looking for), so we searched for a more laid back family-friendly beach. Palolem Beach fit the bill.
Exploring Fort Kochi, India
The harbor town of Kochi in the state of Kerala is laid back as far as Indian cities go. Sure it has auto rickshaws zipzaging around the streets. And livestock roams freely, mostly goats instead of the usual cows. And garbage is everywhere, either strewn on the sides of the roads and beaches or burning in piles. But Kochi has a small town feel and we enjoyed our time there.
Traveling the Kerala Backwaters in a Houseboat
Cruising the Kerala backwaters in a houseboat is a classic travel experience. At least that is what Rand tells me. He has been dreaming about doing this since he starting planning an around the world trip for us 20 years ago.
Meeting My Long “Lost” Cousin in Allepey, India
If you had asked me, in which country will you find a cousin you have never met before? I never would have guessed India.
Wild Elephants and Spiced Chocolate in Kumily, India
The guide motioned for us to stay where we were and be quiet. He scrabbled up the hill to take a look. “Elephants,” he whispered when he returned and pointed up into the trees. At first I could only see motion in the leaves, but eventually I spotted a trunk and an ear. One by one five elephants including one baby passed through the trees into view.
The Time I Became Famous for Taking a Picture of a Public Toilet
Walking with the flow of the crowd surrounding the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, India, I turned the corner and saw a large billboard labeling the public toilet. My first thought was, “I didn’t think India had public toilets.” And my second thought was, “Hey, that’s Ron Swanson!”
Finding our Travel Smiles in Madurai, India
Women in colorful saris filled the street. The men wore cloth wrapped around their midsections and nothing else. Horizontal stripes of paint in red and white, representing the god Shiva, lined their foreheads. Above me towered the medieval Hindu temple that had attracted the crowd. As my family weaved in and out of the throngs of devoted Hindus, I realized that we all had huge smiles on our faces. Our travel smiles were back!
Any Direction We Choose 