India the Peacock's Call

<body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> <noframes> <body> Aline Dobbie has just returned from a wonderful journey around southern India encompassing Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu with all its wonderful historic treasures like Mamallapuram, Pondicherry, Thanjuvar, Madurai and Chennai; then I went to lush and beautiful Kerala and visited Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kannyakumari, Kovalam, Marari Beach, Lake Vembanad on a Spice Boat, Coconut Lagoon, Cochin -Kochi. From there I went to Karnataka and revisited Bangalore, Mysore, and then to Bandipur, Nagarahole and Kabini River Lodge to enjoy India's wonderful wildlife; wild elephants, working elephants, the dhole or wild dog which was a rare sighting; chital, sambar, peacocks, Indian rollers, gaur and a leopard but no tigers on this occasion - I had experienced ten tiger sightings in 2002! From the great wildlife parks I continued to Kodagu (Coorg) and stayed at Orange County Resort and then visited Halibidu and Belur near Hassan to see ancient Hoysala architecture and carvings, and then drove up to the wonderful old ruined city of Hampi - Vijaynagar near Hospet. I headed west to Badami and Pattadakal and on to Kali River Camp at Dandeli and finally ended in Goa at Majorda Beach but looked at all the interesting sights of Goa in the capital Panaji and old Goa. </p> <p> My journey started in Delhi with a visit to the Indian Parliament and the Rashtrapati Bhawan - the President of the Republic of India's magnificent palace in New Delhi. Humayan's Tomb, Safdarjang's Tomb, Qutb Minar, Dilli Haat, Teen Murti Bhawan and Gandhi Smriti were all visited as well, along with relaxation at The Imperial Hotel, The Maurya Sheraton Hotel and The Oberoi Hotel in the capital's five-star category. Delhi is looking beautiful in the spring and a walk in the Lodi Gardens and tea at the India International Centre was so enjoyable. The visit ended with an enjoyable stay at Tikli Bottom just outside Delhi with good friends. My third book India: The Elephant's Blessing is now finished and waiting to be published; it is the third book in a trilogy of India along with <a href="dob_2_1_old.htm" target="2_1" >India: The Peacock's Call</a> and <a href="news.htm" target="2_1" >India: The Tiger's Roar</a>. Incredible India! </body>