Blue Lagoon Traveler

For some reason when I'm traveling I can't stop taking pictures of the beautiful artwork incorporated into monuments. While in Rajasthan we learned that the area is known for centuries of expert stonework, particularly embedding precious and semi-precious stones in intricate designs into the walls themselves. Here are some of my favorites: The ancient site of Qutab Minar Where older Hindu carvings were repurposed into a mosque Humayan's Tomb Perfectly lined up doors Tomb in the middle of a perfect octagon. Typical Mughal archway - at the mosque where we had to cover up A modern tollbooth between Delhi and Agra. I assume the artwork depicts Shiva, one of the 3 major Hindu gods, based on the trident and snake. At the Taj Mahal Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan spared no expense for the tomb of his beloved wife. All colors in the walls are inlaid precious or semi-precious stones, hand carved. Literally...

Jaipur to Delhi travel day Wednesday, January 17 Farewell to Jaipur Time to leave India. We were so busy every day taking in new sights, sounds, tastes, and smells that the days just raced by and it was soon time to leave India. Did we have sensory overload? Possibly. "The aftermath." Our window looked out over the scene of the previous evening's reception. Mary's flight debacle had kept her up half the night and required more phone time first thing in the morning - the initial leg of her flights home from Delhi to Munich was cancelled.  She got it all worked out because she's a traveler who understands airlines. But - oh man - what a hassle! I had my own smaller airline issue when my second flight appeared to be canceled (whatever would I do stuck in Amsterdam? 😆) but the 3 related airline apps - Air France, KLM and Delta -  conveyed conflicting information. I decided not to sweat it and just figure it out at the airport. Remember the pre-COVID days ...

 Final events of Tuesday of January 16, 2024. It is 6pm on Tuesday night and there are just a few more events.  First the men having the Safa put on. Next the Baarat - this is the grooms arrival.  Then - The arrival of the bride.  Last but not least, the wedding reception.    During the Pheras ceremony, you may have noticed the turban on Sarrels head.  A safa (turban), is a menswear accessory with deep roots in Indian tradition. It features heavily during the wedding ceremony as most men tend to wear this to denote their pride.  After the Pheras, the men were invited to have a safa done for them.  You will see many of the men with this done, not just in the next 3 pictures, but throughout the rest of the events.  Guests and family members alike participated.  Phil is rocking it!  The Baarat was next.  A Baarat is the groom's procession into the wedding ceremony.  The groom is normally riding a horse or in some cases a...