Markets and Bazars of Delhi

Ok. Compared to our visits to Delhi over 10 years ago, the city is significantly less crowded.

Now you can actually walk through Chandni Chowk, the oldest shopping market where each block represents a different industry or product. Then there are the "small" bazars of Meena and Cahndri, still requiring police to help people and animals navigate each other. However to give a sense of "people density", these photos are of a local neighborhood market just behind the 2nd gate of the Jara Masjid. Need shoes, electronics, sweaters or a bite to eat? Out with your honey on the way home? It's all here.

With 16-million people, crowded is a relative term!

Jama Masjid and the Rock Stars

Although the historical sites in this country's capital are numerous, the one that touched us most was the Jama Masjid. To reach this principal mosque of Old Delhi, one leaves the Red Fort, passes by a Jain temple, a Hindu temple honoring Shiva and through a crowded market. Rising atop a small hill stands white domes and rich red stone.

Shah Hahan, the fifth Mogul emperor, was an architecturally attuned sort of guy. He commissioned Agra's Taj Mahal, Delhi's Red Fort and this mosque, which was completed in 1658. The beauty of its design, decorated with Arabic, Jain and Hindu inscriptions, is memorable.

Even more memorable was the warm welcome we and the numerous Hindu visitors received as we left our shoes behind and joined Muslims touring the site just hours before the call to prayer and arrival of 5,000 faithful. In India we are constantly reminded of what nonjudgmental coexistence can feel like.

Surprisingly, WE were the other big draw. Schoolchildren, teenage boys and families took cell-phone pictures with us. Even if they couldn't take a photo, they asked Karen to take their picture. ROCK STARS. Who knew?

DELHI - Changed or the same?

Land at Delhi's airport and, if has been more than 2 years since your last visit, panic sets in as you're sure somehow they've allowed you to board the wrong plane. Where did this sleek modern wonder come from? As you drive into the city and wander the streets, the change these last ten years is riveting. There is a metro, new overhead roadways ease congestion of ever increasing traffic and large buildings change the skyline. TV channels and western dress abound and poverty seems less extreme. But the city's unique character smiling faces, colorful dress and helpful hands remain. Oh to be back in DELHI!

What do you guys do on that island? 

SPK croquet tourney winner.

Returning from a little bounty hunting.  Arrgh!!

Dolphins dance!

Maybe is was the excitement of Santa's imminent arrival.  

Maybe they were just happy to see Cal and Rinda.

This family of dolphins kept us company all the way home!

Who says you need SNOW for Christmas?

Cal and Rinda were our holiday guests.  They may have had their doubts about Christmas in Florida, but 75-degrees VS. 40 changed their minds pretty quickly.  We think they will be back.

Escape to - dare we say it - Paradise
The semester is over and there was a chill in the air, so the Kaufman's headed south the spend the holidays on Useppa, where the sky is crayola crayon blue, the palms sway, people always have time to chat and life's stresses seem to take care of themselves.

Want to visit?  Just let us know.  We're always to happy  share our Florida island.

Whitsundays - Dive, sail, restore any day of the week

The Whitsundays' 74 islands make up the southern most part of the Great Barrier Reef's 1,600 miles.  These islands sport powdery sand, lush vegetation and endless opportunities to explore.  Although generally uninhabited, there are a few, including Hamilton Island, where one can let colorful foliage and sunsets simply wash over the spirit.

A couple of days diving on a skippered catamaran makes life seem just about perfect.

Here's a sneak peak of one of Steve's underwater photos. 

Click here for little Great Barrier Reef sunshine

Sydney icons get a colorful makeover

Those colorful irreverent Sydneysiders love having a little fun with their icons    

 Click here for Opera House & St Mary's Cathedral possibilities

"Vivid Sydney" is in its second year and attracts nearly a quarter of a million visitors. See what else the festival has to offer.   

Check out Vivid Sydney

"Pub crawl" or "Bridge Crawl" ?

Hey, anyone can tip a few dozen pints, but how many can climb across Sydney's Harbour Bridge.  Lured by a spectacular view, Karen overcomes her fear of heights, while Steve smiles through his second time climb.  

In Sydney? Give the climb a go.