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Getting ready to tiger track on elephants
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Tiger Tracking
India … Highlights so far!
Let me start by saying that Tigers and Leopards are extremely elusive. Chances of seeing them are slim and none. The only consolation is that there are many many other fasinating amimals to see in the parks. Chittle deer and Samba Deer, Sloth Bears, White monkeys with black faces, Eagles, Kingfishers, Storks, cranes, and a large variety of predatory birds.
At this time of the year, game drives are very, very cold in the morning. One needs glove, stocking caps, windbreakers, and fleece jackets. You can peel off layers, but it is realy cold. The lodges supply hot water bottles and blankets, and you need all of it. You must have good binoculars and a long lense camera. Often the tigers and leopards are in brush and far away. Afternoons get warm so you can take off layers. The drive can be very dusty, hot, and very very bumpy. There can be long periods of seeing nothing but beautiful jungle. Some jungles are teak, some are of a wood called Saab, and some are semitropical.
The parks we visited were Pench, Kahna, Bangadavgarh, and Panna. We saw tigers and one leopard in the first three, and the last Panna was beautiful. There is an amazing temple complex called Khajurao that one should absolutely not miss when in Middle India. The Lodges were all different and each had it’s own personality: Baghvan, Banjar Toli- tented camp-Mahua Kohti, and Pasha Garh.
We are now in Ranthanbor Preserve- the biggest and best of all. It was the hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Jaipur.The park was nationalized b y the Brisitsh and turned into a park in 1974. We had the distinct pleasure of meeting the first park director Fateh Singh rathore, who photographed the tigers in that park for 30 years. His driver for those 30 years had a son Salim Ali, and Salim was our guide. I would send any client with Salim unless he is off filming with a crew from BBC, National Geographic or Toby Sinclair. Toby did the film Land of the Tiger- a must see on National Geographic channel and it was our privilege to have him with us guiding the trip the all the way until he had to leave in VarNASI. He is off working on a film about the black Tiger at the present.
We sighted 2 tigers the first days at Ranthambore, and on the 2nd afternoon had an unbelievable adventure!
To be continued….
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Saddath/Ganges/Amber Fort
Yesterday we went to Varanasi. the oldest city in India, maybe in the world. Near there, Buddha made his first sermon- Saddath. We took a river cruise on the Ganges the most sacred river in India to see the evening ceremony. Quite a spectacle. Thousands of people (pilgrims) gather on the steps called Ghats( pronounced Gots) and celebrate a ceremony by the Brahmin priests. Lots of singing and chanting, incense and dancing. Toby, our amazing guide, continues to regale us with information about the history of religion, especially Hindism and Buddhism and how it fits into world history. I have some wonderful lectures of him talking on video. Yesterday we took another crruise on the Ganges for sunrise and it was amazing. The Hindus feel sunrise is the most sacred time because the sun’s reflection forms a Lingium on the Ganges. Today we are at the Rambagh Palace. We will go to Amber Fort today, one of my favorite forts. One used to ride elephants up to the fort, but conservationists like Toby are trying to get that stopped because of mistreatment of the elephants. Toby left us last night to go work on a fiming for the black tiger in Assam. We will miss him, but now have the head of the company Suhail with us. Looking forward to completing our tour with him!
Varanasi-World’s Oldest City
We have been thru the 4 camps. Each camp had wonderful accomodatons. I videoed the rooms. Of the 4 camps, Bangavdharh Had the most tigers and leopards. All camps had wondeful birds and other animals. Of course we were looking for Tigers. Seeing one is very exciting! We are in Varanasi now, the oldest city in the world and one of the most spiritual. We will be going to Saddarth where Buddha preached his first sermon this afternoon
Mahua Kothi and Tiger video
We are at the third camp Mahua Kothi. Very very good camp.
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/e316022c2a19e963a4903b0c8e1a4f8d/video/9889319
We have seen some amazing tigers, and one awesome leopard. Food has been outstanding. Each camp seems to be more luxurious than the last, and they are all luxurious. I am taking a lot of video and tons of pictures.
Toby Sinclair – Our world renowned tour guide!
One of the most amazing parts of this journey is our tour guide, the world famous conservationist, filmmaker and photographer, Toby Sinclair. He was responsible for the India volume of the Planet Earth Series
More information about his experience can be found http://www.indiasafaris.com/the_photographer
First Tiger Sighting!
We saw our first tiger today and she was gorgeous! HUGE and had two cubs. What a thrill!! At Bagh Van today. Pench National Park in the middle of India where Jungle Book was written. Teak forest jungle. Today was a wonderful birthday present for Meg Nolan, our leader. We are driving through the countryside now to the next park – Kahana.
First Tiger Sighting
We saw our first tiger today and she was gorgeous! HUGE and had two cubs. What a thrill!! At Bagh Van today. Pench National Park in the middle of India where Jungle Book was written. Teak forest jungle. Today was a wonderful birthday present for Meg Nolan, our leader. We are driving through the countryside now to the next park – Kahana.
Mehrangarh Fort, The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rohat
We are enjoying this amazingly beautiful country. Please see the picture of Mehrangarh Fort and note the intricate latticed windows, elaborately carved panels and curved porches. The people are wonderful! We have enjoyed Jodhpur and its golden sands. The architecture is simply breathtaking!
Mehrangarh Fort, The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rohat
We are enjoying this amazingly beautiful country. Please see the picture of Mehrangarh Fort and note the intricate latticed windows, elaborately carved panels and curved porches. The people are wonderful! We have enjoyed Jodhpur and its golden sands. The architecture is simply breathtaking!
Mumbai and Mihir Garh
After a safe journey, we begin at the Trident Hotel (www.tridenthotels.com) near the airport in Mumbai getting ready to go to Mihirgarh. Travel and Leisure listed this magnificent property as one of the top 50 most romantic destinations in the world:
( http://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels/mihir-garh-rajasthan)
Mihir Garh
Knandi
Rohet
Pali, Rajasthan, India
Rohet
Pali, Rajasthan, India
TEL: 91-9-636-169-665
“On the wild plains of Rajasthan— just an hour south of Jodhpur—the Mihir Garh is a palatial fortress hotel with an impressive stable of indigenous Marwari steeds. Take one on a maharajah-worthy journey through the desert or on a staff-guided picnic safari to a Bishnoi tribal village. Then come home to one of the nine enormous guest suites (each is over 1,700 square feet), which are done up in Rajasthani textiles and rich fabrics that will put the final touches on your storybook adventure”
Please visit their web site (http://www.mihirgarh.com/#) and click on the photo gallery – MAGICAL!
Adventures in India … and so it begins!
I am en route to India with good friends and am thrilled! We will be tiger tracking from January 21 returning February 15 and visiting five star properties throughout India. Please follow along with me – I will update you daily with photos and videos of this wonderful adventure!
cnn.com article “7 Trips you should NEVER book online!”
Fantastic article about the benefits of using a trusted travel professional on cnn.com by Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services. Very informative: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/15/booking.travel.online/index.html?hpt=Sbin
Exclusive: St. Regis Atlanta
Brownell and Sterling Brownell Travel were just given an extension to the exclusive weekend rate for St. Regis Atlanta. Good till the end of the year!!! $199.00 per night! Start planning your anniversaries and birthdays! Call your Trusted Travel Advisor at Brownell! To find more information about the hotel and location, visit their web site: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/photos/index.html?propertyID=1714&iATANumber=#photo_section_1Link
Happy New Year!
Today we reflect on the blessings of 2009 and plan for the possibilities of 2010. I wish you all a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year! ~Catherine
2009 Africa and Tanzania
One of my very favorite adventures this year was an unbelievable trip to South Africa and Tanzania. Saw the Singita Grumeti Camps-Sasakwa, faru Faru, and Sabora, Palahala Lodge, and Lupita on Lake Tanganika.
A little TOO close!
Happy Holidays!
In this Holiday Season, let me take a moment to thank all of you for sharing your wonderful adventures with me in 2009! I am busy planning more exciting itineraries for many of you in 2010 and on the countdown for my trip to the tiger camps in India at the end of January. More details to come!
There is still more time to gift a holiday trip for your loved ones! Please give me a call (706) 714-3766 or email catherinew@sterlingtvl.com
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Catherine
Dispatches from the Road 