Author: Maryanne

Categories
Asia India Travel

India Part 3 – Agra, Delhi

Taj Mahal Agra
Taj Mahal Agra, India
Taj Mahal Agra
Taj Mahal Agra, India

Agra
Arriving in Agra I didn’t know what to expect from this city but I knew the one place I wanted to visit was the Taj Mahal. Agra represents a golden era of the Mughal Empire and the rich traditions over centuries and other historical sites include the Agra Fort, the Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Akbar’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra Fort. On the day I visited the Taj Mahal it was quite foggy and it was difficult to get a decent photo.  It was a wonderful experience walking around the gardens and in the buildings of the Taj Mahal.  When you hear the story of why the Taj was built it is even more amazing.

Continue reading “India Part 3 – Agra, Delhi”
Categories
Asia India Travel

India Part 2 – Kochi & Indian Train Travel

Indian architecture
Indian architecture
Elderley man in India
Elderley man in India
Kochi/Cochin

One delightful place we visited on our trip to India was Kochi, also known as Cochin.  It is a seaside city and very busy port on the western side of India.  It was lovely to walk down by the sea and watch the fisherman looking after their Chinese nets (an old tradition brought there many years ago by the Chinese).

Continue reading “India Part 2 – Kochi & Indian Train Travel”
Categories
Asia India Travel

India Part 1 – Chennai, Bangalore & Kerala

India Camel Market

The other day I was cleaning out a cupboard when I came across a rather gaudy looking photo album I had made after a trip to India.  As I flicked through the pages fond memories of the days I spent in this wonderful country came back to me.  India has aways had a mystical and exotic appeal for me and so, some years back, when I had the  chance to travel to India I jumped at the opportunity.

Blue dye textiles in Chennai, India
A man goes about his work with textiles in Chennai, India

I was lucky enough to apply for and attain a fellowship with the Asia Education Foundation (Australia) and as it was funded by the foundation I only had to pay $500 for the whole trip.  This was not a solo journey, however, but a journey with a group of educators which took in tours of schools and the chance to meet some very interesting people.

Continue reading “India Part 1 – Chennai, Bangalore & Kerala”
Categories
Turkey

Washed out at Ephesus, Turkey

What do you do when the place that you were really looking forward to visiting – Ephesus – is a complete wash out?  As an independent traveller sometimes you just have to smile and get on with it.

The Library of Celsus, Ephesus, Turkey
The Library of Celsus, Ephesus, Turkey
Continue reading “Washed out at Ephesus, Turkey”
Categories
Money Travel

Saving Money for Your Next Holiday

How to save money for vacation
Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash

If you want to save up some money for that dream holiday then you’ll be glad to know that there are some things that you can do to help yourself along the way. In fact, I have compiled this guide for you so you can learn everything you need to know about saving as well as helping you to get some helpful tips that will show you how to achieve your goals.

My money challenge for this year!
I’m really saving hard for my next trip!
Continue reading “Saving Money for Your Next Holiday”
Categories
Europe Turkey Walking

Cappadocia, Turkey

Göreme Valley, Turkey

Cappadocia (Kapadokya in Turkish) is a fairytale like place right in the centre of Turkey.  I say fairytale because the landscape varies between the ‘fairy chimneys’ to underground dwellings to beautiful mountains and valleys. You can amble up rocky hillsides and check out houses and churches built into the side of mountains or you can venture below the surface (literally) and explore the subterranean network that form underground cities. Before I started planning my trip

Continue reading “Cappadocia, Turkey”
Categories
Middle East United Arab Emirates

Out & about (and up) in Dubai

You can’t help but notice the Burj Khalifa when you are in Dubai. By the way Burj means tower in Arabic. At around 830 metres high it’s not far off being a kilometre into the air. It dominates the skyline and dwarfs all other buildings.

The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the right
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building on the right

Continue reading “Out & about (and up) in Dubai”
Categories
Jordan Middle East

Petra, Jordan

Petra is extraordinary.

The Treasury, Petra, Jordan
The Treasury, Petra, Jordan

A Swiss chap named Burckhardt rediscovered Petra in 1812 and we are so glad he did.  The first sighting of The Treasury as you reach the end of the Siq is just breathtaking.  The spectacle of the whole site is just wonderful.  When you stop to think of the engineering involved in building such a city built into rock faces and that this occurred around the 3rd century BC it is even more amazing.

Continue reading “Petra, Jordan”
Categories
Jordan Middle East

Jordan, November 2015

Floor tile at the Citadel, Amman, Jordan
Floor tile at the Citadel, Amman, Jordan

I was in Jordan during the 2nd week of November 2015. As I was travelling around it became apparent that tourist numbers were down. On enquiring about this I was told that this was their high season but this year it was like a low season in terms of tourist numbers. I asked what their next real low season would be like

Continue reading “Jordan, November 2015”
Categories
Jordan Middle East

Amman, Jordan

Amman was originally built on seven hills but has now extended to nineteen. It is hard work getting up and down those hills so, depending where you’re heading, you may want to take a taxi. Taxis in Jordan are expensive. There are no train networks in Jordan only taxis, buses and rental cars. From what I have heard rental cars are reasonably priced but you do take your life into your own hands. The driving is pretty crazy. Nobody sticks to lanes. It’s not unusual to see three cars astride in a two lane highway. I have been white knuckled a few times in the taxi with some of their antics. Having said that their system seems to work.

Today I decided to hang out in the downtown area of Amman. I started at the Citadel which sits on the highest jabal (hill) in Amman called Jabal al-Qal’a. Aside from some great sites such as the Temple of Hercules, the Byzantine Church, the Mosque and the Monumental Gateway/Entrance Hall, there were fabulous views of the city.

Temple of Hercules, the Citadel, Amman, Jordan
Temple of Hercules, the Citadel, Amman, Jordan

Continue reading “Amman, Jordan”