India:A journey - Amber .....

Amber,Jaipur - The first time I set my foot on Jaipur Railway Station..and by looking at all the Rajasthani people with colorful traditional costumes and dresses really mesmerize me and I knew that I'll be spending a long time residing there.I was so happy that the decision that I made by coming to India is the right decision after all.And me,meeting good people on the way from Mumbai to Jaipur was a good experience for me at that time.Furthermore the railway station in Jaipur is much better and cleaner then the ones in Bandra, no offence ya!I was supposed to meet my travelling partner,Maja the same day I arrived.Thanks god that Afzal was so kind enough to stay with me for awhile while waiting for Maja to come.He really doesn't want me to be alone in a strange place.We had chai which was on him when Maja showed up with my host in Amber,Rahul.They came by motorbike.I was wondering how can I go to his house with my big bag and three people on a bike??Then I was being told thatI have to go to his place by auto rickshaw on my own.What a welcome!He reassured me that I'll be alright and asked the auto guy to send me straight to the house.The cost of auto rickshaw from the railway station to his house in Amber is Rs150(Price after bargained!!! - You can bargain a lot if you knew how...and if you have the skill ya!).I got off the rickshaw after saying goodbye to Afzal..and hoping someday we'll meet again(Which we didn't)..

First time in Jaipur city,it was dusty..lots of motorbikes,auto rickshaws,rickshaws,bicycles and peoples too!!Wow...and I guessed I passed by the Pink city before realizing that there was a palace in the middle of the lake which the local called it LAKE PALACE .The lake palace is just opposite of Trident Hotel.It was a superb view and I really loved it.There's also some camels and horses on the roadside for the tourists to have a good view while riding on them.There were also some tourists buses near the road side.I've noticed that they have a lot of hotels there as wel beside Trident such as Holiday Inn..Good accomodation for those who wants comfort holiday..but not for me!Not to adventurous!...Then we went pass the JAIHALGARGH FORT enterence before we passed through AMBER PALACE & FORT that is on the right side of the road.Really stunning view and a beautiful palace as well!!I'm not going to regret my trip...for sure!

Few minutes away from the palace is my manzil means destination.I was being welcomed by Rahul's mum and their dog..Jimmy!.She's so sweet..She showed me my room which I'll be staying and let me get some freshing up before I had another chai.I had my cold shower while waiting for Maja and Rahul to come back.It's not that hard to go to his house as it is near to the elephant place(half build building with elephants on the G level) which he called 'Elephant Farm'.I can smelled the strong elephant urine and poops as well...At this point,I'm a bit scarred of animal I might say..and now even elephant??I think I must gone mad by saying 'yes' to stay and play with the elephants!!!They are really huge animal!!I'm really scared!

I was thinking this is the opportunity for me to get up-close with the BIG mammal on land...once in a life time?Or maybe that I would overcome my fear of elephant as well...who knows...The adventures continues...

India - A Journey:Mumbai within 24hrs!

19th Dec 2010 - Bandra Train Terminal,Mumbai

After spending less then 24hrs in Dev's and Gaurav's Apartment..Finally I'll be on my way to Jaipur!I have with me my confirmed train ticket,my backpack and my travelling documents together before I leave the apartment.Its really important to make sure that it is a CONFIRMED booking ticket and not the waiting list ticket or else you won't even get a sit!..But one thing for sure is that I have to print out the ticket.Found some college student that showed me the way to the printing centre(a small shop at the end of the road - unnoticeable!!).Printing the train reservation details just cost me Rs1!!!It's really cheap compared to Malaysia!

After printing out the train ticket,I had my first ride on an auto rickshaw in Mumbai heading to Bandra Terminus.That is the name of train station that I'll be heading to.Dev's said it will took less then 15min from their place.I was so excited of what I'll be seeing and experiencing!On the way to the train station we past some  housing areas and I can see a big mosque on the left side of the road,women with black hijab,man waiting for jobs by the road side and not to mention also the slump.

It was an eyesore view plus the dusts on the road and the smell of urinate too!!But,it's really a new travel experience on a foreign country.Make me feel I'm so lucky to be born in a country called MALAYSIA!!

So shocking to know the train station is next to the slump..I was so scared when the auto(short form for auto rickshaw) driver told me that is the train station.I'm trying to make sense and get my bag and pay the money to the auto driver..Walking towards the entrance of the train station I can see a big piles of white bags on the carts and few other items laying on the floor with some guys with white sarong holding some papers on the side.I hardly see the train ticket counter due to the big white bags.There's some butterflies in my stomach.I should get some food and drinks for my long hour journey to Jaipur.It will take about 22hrs of 1480km journey!I went directly to the small store selling few crackers and grab a bottle of mango juice for the ride..

I was feeling a little bit awkward the first time I sat on the chair they had at the platform.Maybe because of what I'm wearing and the bag that I carried.But It was just my thought.Met few nice people on the platform while waiting for the train to come.

A couple from Bikaner offered me to come to their house if I'm going there,which I'm not sure I will.But the invitation seems good.Eventhough the wife doesn't speak English,she was so friendly.Maybe that they seldom see foreigner like me!No blonde hair,no blue eyes or even tall and white!Such a complexion that similar to Tibetan..??

From the seat I saw lots of things that I couldn't imagine before on a train platform such as an old guy having shower in the middle;between the rail tracks.What's running on my mind at that time is that he's not even think about his safety?He's having shower on the railway track..!!!That's nuts...and from another end I saw people just peeing anywhere..What a view!

As my train approached and at stand still..I saw the train worker were cleaning up the coach and bringing in new pillows and bed sheets.I was so excited to board it at that time..but some local guy said to me that I shouldn't go in the coach alone.I was that close to just get on my 'bunk'...It's not safe for a woman to go there without anyone there.I was so lucky that he told me that.If not,I wouldn't knew what will happened to me!I just sat near the coach and waiting..Then the train conductor came and paste some name list at the 'door'..So curious of me..And yes,there's my name on the list.I'm not going to board the wrong coach..at least.Lucky me,after that some family that board the same coach walk-in the coach.I was relived and walked-in as well and look for my berth.It was the upper berth and I have to climb my way up!I am so afraid of heights and now I have to climb?God knows how I felt that time!

I think I was being the lucky girl..Easy for me to find my berth and met few friendly people,a young lady with her two 'happy' kids and a guy later I knew him as Afzal Khan.Eventhough they hardly speak English except Afzal..and at least at that time too I understand a little bit Hindi,credits to the Hindustan movie I watched...

At first I was so into my music and headphones as the train starts to move.Later I had a few chat with Afzal.I was a bit sleepy at the time while waiting for the train to reach Gujerat and that is where when I heard loud noise from an old guy that looked at me strangely while he's pointing out at the place where I slept!!I was a bit blurred and shocked and at the same time I looked at Afzal and asked him what has happened?Did I do wrong??And ya,I had slept on the wrong berth!!I just take my blanket and went up on my upper berth and trying to get sleep..This is the first time I knew that Gujerati really speak loud.But I knew the Gujerati couple are very friendly people after awhile...and that's when I choose my dinner on board.The train guy asked me about what I want..I was clueless after all the incident..off course.Afzal helped me by picking up the dinner.I chose thali (means a set meal).That is my first vegetarian meal in India.It was superb!I really like the matter and all the vege they have.I had a full stomach and wish it will still be full till I reached to Jaipur in the morning..

The night went so fast as the day approached.I had my 'chai'(tea in hindi)..It was good too and then I had some vege fritters.A bit oily for me but it's still good when eating it with sauce and some bread..

And after counting hours to get to Jaipur..Finally we reached there!Really cleaner than Bandra Terminus off course and lots of people too.Some of the men were wearing bright color of turbans and with long moustaches..and even women with colorful bright saris or salwar khames..I really love it..Bye-bye Mumbai and Welcome Jaipur!!

India - A journey:Mumbai the First day

India - The land of beautiful landscapes,cultures,religions,architecture,historical monuments and colorful traditions....and not to mention.. beautiful peoples..There's no doubt that India is an Incredible country...I must say that it wasn't my first choice of place to visit at first.I admit that I had a few negative thoughts of what I will be experiencing in India since it will be my first visit to a very strange unknown land!And furthermore I am a girl and I'm travelling alone!!But all the negative thoughts that I had before this were wrong!Indian people are so warm and friendly people.It really make me feel like back at home..and that really make me so happy and being positive throughout all the journey that rest ahead.But as a single traveller,I still make sure that I wore an appropriate attire..surely modest and cover the shoulder and my knees.I don't want to attract any attention there...for sure!
My journey to India starts in Oct 18 2010,the day I arrived in Mumbai.Since in the flight I've been counting the time when I'll be landing at the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport.I couldn't really sleep knowing that the place will be landed anytime.So I decided to watch the Bollywood movie called 'My Name is Khan'.It was a really good movie and what makes it more better is that I had chosen to eat really good Mutton Biryani...Thanks Singapore Airline.It was worth it..WELCOME TO MUMBAI......
I didn't expect much about the airport but it is not as bad as being mentioned by a few traveler that I knew.Not really bad smells...but lots of tight security..really,really tight security everywhere.I was so excited but at the same time I was afraid that I might get lost over there!!!It was late night when I arrived and I still have no clue where is the public phone.So I decided to wander around and finally found the IDD/STD booth.Thanks to Maja for giving me some number to call..and thanks to Dev and Gaurav for your hospitality and accepting a total stranger staying your house for less then 24hrs and helping me do the train reservation to Jaipur.A million thanks to both of you.You are the best!!

I have never thought before that they really still using the old cab..just like in the bollywood movie!I have the opportunity to hop in to one of this small black cab!!so cute...hahah.Even the cab driver is so friendly enough to lend me his mobile to call Dev that night..to make sure that I'm at the right place and he's being aware of it...