Southern India
Dates Visited:Oct. 31 to Nov. 9 2012
I began my visit to India in Mumbai, colorful
and rich with historical culture and influenced by the Portuguese. I drove
through the charming narrow lanes visiting art galleries along the way. My
hotel held amazing views of the Mumbai skyline. I broke away and enjoyed walks
through Bandra where the renown Bollywood film industry resides.
I continued to Hyderabad, approximately 430 miles southeast
of Mumbai. I arrived after a short plane ride to this new tech city. Microsoft,
Google and many more Fortune 500 companies now have offices here. Hyderabad is
where Mughal India meets South India, where in architecture, culture and
cuisine, both influences merge to create a unique Hyderabad flavor. It is a
city of contrasts much like India itself.
In Hyderabad, I stayed in the amazing Taj Falaknuma Palace.
Built by an Italian architect for one of the Nawabs of Hyderbad. The palace is
shaped like a scorpion’s tail, with curved wings for the zenana’s (women). This
palace was able to accommodate over 5,000 women! Being in the palace you are
exposed to the beauty of colorful blooming flowers that surround you with an
intoxicating perfume.
From Hyderbad I traveled to Bangalor. It has the reputation
of being India’s garden city. It is also India’s 3rd most populous
city. It is home to many well recognized colleges and research institutions. It
is also known as the Silicon Valley of India for its position as the nation’s
leading IT city. From Bangalor we drove 4 hours to the historic city of Mysore,
noted for the maharajas (India’s Mogul’s). Mysore is famous for its traditional
paintings in silk, sandlewood and its incense production. It is most noted as
the international center for Ashtanga Yoga. Many visit this city for this yoga experience.
I continued through to our next destination…
I continued to Madikeri in the Coorg District of Karnataka. I
stayed in the newest Taj property: Taj Madikeri. Here I enjoyed the beauty of
the land and took hikes in the lush rainforests that surrounds the property. I
was able to establish a connection with spirituality, rising to meet the sun
with a yoga lesson. I also interacted with nature by hiking the beautiful lush
trails.
Southern India is a perfect mixture of colorful people,
beautiful surroundings and exotic adventures. Ask me about Southern India and the
beautiful Taj palaces that I visited.
Learning how to dance Bollywood style.
Beautiful views of the ocean.
The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai
A flute player at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai
At the Market
This is a holy place where ashes of deceased loved ones are
scattered into the river.
Hiking in Madikeri with Leech Protector socks.
Hiking the rainforest in Madikeri
Creating your individual essence at the market.
Learning how to cook southern Indian cuisine.
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