On The Road - National Highway 9

On The Road - National Highway 9

Nikon D90 - ISO 200 - f/6.3 - 1/160

I captured the above picture from the car window on my way to Abdullapurmet, India. Motorcycles are a common sight and often the families main transportation.

The background of the picture captures perfectly the visual appearance of old Hyderabad and the blue gray skies of the area.

The above photo details: Nikon D90 - ISO 200 - f/8 - 1/250 - 18mm Focal Length

Click on the pictures above to see a bigger version and more information about the photo. It's all about the journey.

 

Surat Gujarat India

In 2010 my wife and I visited her ancestral home in Gujarat, India. We had traveled their with her sister's family to visit friends and family. One day we decided to drive the ladies to Surat, and spend the day their shopping at some of the stores. If you have never been to India you don't know what you are missing. I enjoy travel, and seeing new things and experiencing life in other areas of the world. So a trip to India was fantastic. If you have not been there the below short 51 second video was filmed through the wind screen of the car with my Nikon D90.  Note that center lanes and driving rules and laws only semi apply in India, but it is getting better I hear.

Driving to Surat, Gujarat, India in HD

---

Near the Maroli Sugar Factory

Ox Cart carrying sugar cane

---

Notice below the name on the shirt

---

G3 Fashions was the ladies store of choice so we headed there. In the below video, the ladies shop for sarees. Note the number of saris they are looking at and the patience of the clerks. This is only 36 seconds of a very long process, but success, they did find what they were looking for.

Shopping for sarees at G3 Fashions

In India, sarees are worn by ladies at weddings, festivals, parties & social occasions.

After a long day of shopping we headed to shopping beneath the main roads reminiscent of Underground Atlanta. Everything imaginable could be found in the area, it was cramped and motor cycles wound their way around display tables and people. Something you would not see here in the US.

I shot the below video on my D90 through the windshield of our car as we waited on Janti and Aruna to finish a last minute purchase (the shopping area we were at was below the street level of this video).

Ready to head back to Navsari from a day of shopping in Surat

 

Late Evening View of Navsari

Part of my travel to India included a trip to Gujarat. I flew from Hyderabad to Mumbai and then took a 7 hour cab ride to Navsari, Gujarat, India. My wife had made the same cab ride a few days before me to meet her sister and other family members. After being introduced to "new" family members and having an enjoyable meal and conversation, I went for a walk taking a looking around the area. I eventually made my way to the roof of the flat we were staying in, and got this photo of the evening sky and cityscape. Navsari has a 2,000 year history and has been know by many names over the centuries. Cities with long histories are always the most enjoyable to visit.

Gujarati is the main language spoken in Navsari. The language my wife uses to speak with her sister and family from time to time. They jump inbetween English and Gujarati quite a bit. Sometimes I think I am understanding Gujarati until I realize they jumped to English! 

[mapsmarker marker="26"]

View from the Char Minar - Hyderabad, India

Charminar was built in 1591 AD, and is a landmark monument located at the center of old Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is considered as the legendary masterpiece of Qutub Shahi's. This picture was taken from the top of Charminar. The top is a much better place to be. Down at ground level the chaos, smell and aggressiveness of the people was quite a shock to the system. There were people grabbing at us wanting money and hundreds of people selling their wares. This was a very busy place long ago.

Today the market around the Charminar is crowded with shops and known as the place to go for bangles.

[mapsmarker marker="30"]

Hiking To The Top of Golconda Fort - Part 2

This is a continuation of the Part 1 post where we had just started climbing to the top of the fort and stopped a few times along the way to show you the sights. In part 2 we have made it to the top of the fort, and all we need to do is go to the top of the building on top of the hill! From the top you might certainly think of yourself as king! One of the most important features of the fort is its acoustics. The construction of the fort is such that any sound made at the entrance can be heard throughout the hill on which the fort stands. No sneak attacks! In the first post I mentioned the outer wall and moat. However, after the outer wall it has also a double wall that runs around the foot of the hill where the citadel stands.

Looking at the top most left area of the map above is where we have arrived, Darbar Hall. I took a few videos of the view from the top of Darbar Hall. From here you could also see the entire layout of the fort and where the cannons had been placed for the protection of the fort.

Golconda Fort - At the Top from Bhaga Video on Vimeo.

A few more scenes from the top before we head back down to ground level. Darbar Hall was actually very cool inside compared to outside.

Golconda Fort - Enjoying the View from Bhaga Video on Vimeo.

If you are in Hyderabad then Golconda Fort is definitely a stop you should make. There are a lot of steps to climb-up and then climb-down, so you will need to able to handle that.  You will also want to have some bottled water with you before starting the trip, you can get pretty thirsty climbing all those stairs in the sun. If you go later in the afternoon there is a light show that takes place after dark, you might want to consider that when planning your visit. Look for Part 3 with a few videos and pictures that I took as we headed back down to the grounds below. Get out and see the world!

 

Hiking To The Top of Golconda Fort - Part 1

My wife and I visited India for the first time in 2010. Our first stop was Hyderabad. On Saturday January 23rd we drove to Golconda Fort (a few miles west of Hyderabad). The city of Golconda was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Golconda. The city at one time was the center of the diamond trade. The fort dates back to the 12th century and was ruled by various kings throughout the centuries. There are actually 4 forts that make up Golconda. The forts are built on a granite hill and is 400 feet high. It was a three tiered fortification, protected by a moat, had eight entrance gates and a water supply system. I spent an 87 degree Saturday afternoon climbing the stairs to the various levels, stopping along the way to admire the architecture and imagine what it must have been like 500 years ago. On the way up to the top of the fort I shot all HD video, and on the way down I used my wife's Kodak Z1485IS to capture some still shots. The Nikon D90 stayed at the hotel for this jaunt. Just too much to carry, considering the climbing I was going to do.

In this video we have just entered into Golconda Fort through the main gate and we are following the pathway through the courtyard headed for the climb to the top of the fort. My friend and colleague Mohan was our guide for the day, but my wife kept worrying about me, so no matter  how many times I said not to keep looking back for me, she kept doing it. Kind of ruins the effect!

Golkonda Fort - Getting Started from Bhaga Video on Vimeo.

In this next video you can see the long climb we had to do, and we aren't at the top yet! You can also see more of the fort structures and outer walls. I would like to have spent an entire day there. Next time I will have someone drop me off and pick me up after dark, and most important be there by myself.

Golkonda Fort - The Climb from Bhaga Video on Vimeo.

Well, we aren't done yet, but we decided to take a break and enjoy the view from half way up. As you can see the city has crept up right to the fort walls edge. To take the video and pictures at Golconda Fort you have to pay an extra admission fee. Well worth the small price.

Golkonda Fort - Continuing The Climb from Bhaga Video on Vimeo.

We had just started to climb the stairs and trails again when we arrived at the Sri Jagadamba Mahakali Temple. Geeta went into the temple while I took a few videos of the temple and surrounding area. The Hyderabad Bonalu folk festival begins here at the Mahakali Temple inside the fort. On the festival day, women ware silk sarees and jewellery, and some of the women carry pots filled with flowers on their heads. This is done in a procession.

Golkonda Fort - Mahakali Temple from Bhaga Video on Vimeo.

If you found this post enjoyable look for part 2 soon. The view from the top of the fort is spectacular, and as you can see it is a play ground for a photographer. The fort and surrounding area is rich with history. You could do an entire photo shoot on just one section of the fort. If on the other hand pictures really aren't your bag but you love travel, then I highly recommend Hyderabad. Everyday is an adventure with thousands of things to see. You will be in an area of the world where it's people, traditions and religion date back thousands of years.