I love the Netherlands

At least for now. After 2 days. Such a lovely, lovely country.

I will add more to this point, but my battery is running low and I don’t feel like grabbing charger now, but still, I’ve got some pics. Also adding them to the photo gallery.

The Netherlands (mostly Amsterdam)
The Holland part of my adventure. Sept 17-24, 2017
Walking around Amsterdam

Starting with a few pix from the evening I arrived, most are pix of me just taking a long walk between the Weesperplein Metro station and Vondelpark. Didn't get far into the park because I was exhausted but plan to return.

Dutch Countryside Tour - Sept 19

Toured what would have been a working windmill (had there been any wind) in Zaanse Schans and was shown how it works. Then hit the fishing village of Volendam, where we saw how cheese was made and had a tasting (couldn't resist - bought some too) and had lunch. Then, a boat trip across a huge fresh water lake (10th largest in Europe) that was reclaimed from the sea via damming. We arrived in Marken, where we witnessed clogs being made. The full Dutch experience.

Mostly Vondelpark

Grabbed lunch, then visited a coffeeshop where the couple of lovely young women working there were very kind to a clueless old lady. After recovering somewhat, I moved on to walk around the awesome Vondelpark. Then I was pretty much useless for the rest of the day. But my back felt good.

The obligatory Taj Mahal Photos are here!

Again – not much on the blogging, but PIX for you!

Agra - Taj Majal

Photos of the Taj Mahal. Google Taj Mahal. The pro pix are much better. 

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Moving on.

Today I leave Rishikesh, which was my favorite place to visit so far. Met interesting, much-braver-than-me people, and I could actually speak to some of them.

So I have my flight home booked – Oct 11 out of Dublin. Many months sooner than expected, I know. Between now and then, my plans are Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Dublin (including day trips from them).

The photo is the first and only coffee I’m drinking in India. Those who know me well can appreciate how much of a departure this is. Also no soda. Masala chai, water, and juice. But I thought I should at least try coffee (in what appears to be the Starbucks of India – Cafe Coffee Day).

I’ll try to post more pics soon if I can get good internet.

Photos from Jodhpur sightseeing

I’ve sort of given up on the writing about my travels thing. Sorry. So instead, for now at least, you get  pictures.

Just an update that has nothing to do with these photos I took 11 days ago (sorry): I believe I mentioned before, but I’m not sure if it was on the blog, that I will be leaving India (and Asia) behind me on Sept. 17 and heading to Europe, starting with Amsterdam. I will probably stay there only until October 12. I’ll be revising my “map/itinerary” page, but for now it looks like I’ll be focusing on the Netherlands (Amsterdam with visits to The Hague and Rotterdam, perhaps Utrecht), Berlin, London, Cardiff, and Dublin.

Jodhpur Sightseeing - Mehrangarh Fort - Sept 3

Just did one morning of sightseeing in Jodhpur. Saw an old fort. Didn't really appreciate it as much as I should have. But I liked listening to the dude and his son making music together.

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Beginning to post pictures finally

Yes my posting from India has been virtually nonexistent. However, now I have relaxing time in Rishikesh to just sort of veg (and some intermittently good internet access), I’ve begun posting some photos. Yesterday I posted New Delhi pix from August (yeah, sorry), and today I’m beginning to post Rajastan pictures. You can use the menu to the left (or shown from the top “hamburger” menu on a small screen device) to navigate to travel photos to see the New Delhi ones (and others I will post in the future.

The gallery I include here (which you can also get to from the menu) is from my sightseeing in Jaipur. Hawa Majal and Jantar Mantar. They’re really cool. Google them if you want to know more. I’m sure you could get a better explanation than I can give.

Jaipur: Hawa Majal and Jantar Mantar - Sept 1

My main sightseeing in Jaipur. Jantar Mantar was very cool - a huge 18th c. astronomy observatory. Not that I understood a bit of it. I'm hoping Pete may be able to explain someday or I can google to understanding. In the picture order the photos of the explanatory plaques are generally AFTER the structures they explain.

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