On our way home

We are coming home!!!

After two months in India, we are finally on our way home. It was a great experience, and one I hope I get to repeat with Mommy some time in the future, but for now I am glad to be heading home. I haven't seen my Frog Prince, Sheepie, or Boy in two long months, and a Travelling Froggie can only stay away so long.

I am blogging this from Newark International Airport, so I can now say I am at least back in the states now. I still have another eight hours before I make it back to Portland, and at least another two before home, but now I can say I am back. It is good to be back.

Right away, I got down to the essentials, like eating an American breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, and ham (the pork kind, not the chicken ham they serve in India) with lots of maple syrup (they use honey in India). After that, Papa and I sat down to catch up on some much neglected solitaire.


We also grabbed these great shots of the New York skyline at sunrise.



I don't know when I will post again. It will not likely be until I make another excursion again in the future. For all my loyal fans, I would say thank you. So long, and have a great day.

Travelling with the Travel Froggie

With only a few days left before we head back home, I was anxious to get out and spend some time sightseeing with Papa. As such, I kindly requested that Daddy leave work early and come with us. After much haggling over food compensation for the lost work hours, we headed out.

Since I have seen many of these sights before, I decided to take Papa and Daddy to some of the sights I liked. We first went to Humayun's tomb. Outside that is the Isa Khan tomb and mosque. We even got Daddy to come to the other side of the camera for once. It was a little awkward for him at first, but he finally got the hang of it.


After that we went to see Humayun's tomb. Papa noticed some of the intricate carvings in the floor, so we explored those and their many variations. It is amazing how many different designs they were able to make off the same few patterns. We also found Barber's tomb, who was Humayun's father and the first Mughal emperor who conquered India. Since Papa brought the memory card that Daddy forgot (those silly Daddies), we were able to take plenty of pictures without having to skimp on resolution.


Once finished there, we headed on to the Purana Quila. Again, the massive stone structures that these people were able to build are just amazing.


We were also amazed at how well preserved the colors are. Almost 500 years after being built, and the reds, blues, blacks, and whites are exceptionally vibrant.


After walking through much of the Purana Quila, we were asked to leave. Apparently there is a new curfew in place now after the terrorist attacks that occurred right before I left for Pune. We will have to factor this in for our plans on Monday, but it will be OK I think. Still, so much to show Papa and so little time for a Froggie such as myself.

Papa Arrives

HE'S HERE!!!


Papa has arrived finally to tour India with me. His flight ended up a little late, and those nasty customs people tried to detain him, but I broke him free.


After we broke out of the airport, we then rushed back to the hotel. An hour and forty-five minutes later we arrived and got checked in to our new, posh little room. Much nicer than my other accommodations. We should have had Papa visit a long time ago, then maybe my stingy daddy would have upgraded us sooner.

Anyway, it is late, and I am tired. Tata for now.

Purana Qila

Today's journey involved a lovely place called Purana Qila, meaning Old Fort.


Believed to be built on the site of an ancient, some say mythical, city it rest on a hill slightly elevated above the surrounding area. The current fort was built by Humayun, the second Mughal king of India. It was captured by Sher Shah Sur when he drove Humayun out of India for a few years. Shar Shah made the fort his home, and built a beautiful mosque inside.



He also built a tower, now called Sher Mandal, which is believed to be the tower that Humayun used as his library after returning and reclaiming India. This is the same library that Humayun lost his footing, and subsequently his life, in.


Personally, I was hoping for the moat to still be around so that I could do some fishing, but apparently the river Yamuna which used to fill the moat has since changed course. Oh well, some other time I suppose.

Qutb Minar

On the agenda was a trip to Qutb Minar. This giant tower is the tallest stone tower in India.


As a frog, I don't truely appreciate the need to reach for the sky. I am quite content with a nice pond, a good lily pad, and my trusty fishing pole. Yet I must say that this tower was quite impressive.


The mosque on the site was also one of the largest I have yet seen. Though it is in ruins now, it must have been quite the thing in its day.


The finale really came though when I got to see some planes taking off right over the tower. Reminded me that it is only a few days more until Papa arrives.

Tughlaqabad

Tughlaqabad was built as the dream of slave turned emperor Ghiyath al-Din Tughlaq in 1321 A.D.


Tughlaq had told the previous king that the spot would make a fine spot for a fort. The king has responded "When you are king, you can build one here." Shortly thereafter, he deposed the king and began construction.


The fort was his home for the last six years of his life, until 1327 when he passed away. Though it was only under construction for six years, the fort spans an area of 8.5 km in a roughly octagonal design. It is truely enormous. After his death, his son build his mausoleum on the site, and then abandoned the fort. It has never been inhabited since.


After the fort, I headed back for a little playtime at the Ansal Plaza, which is a small mall next to the Stellar Gymkhana. Disney characters and fun all around.

Back to Noida

Today I headed back to Noida for the last leg of my trip. Less than two weeks to go now. Almost done.

The first thing to do with every trip is to find yourself a travel buddy. Safety first and all that. I found my travel buddy.


Once we had our travel buddies, we set off to the airplane. Again on the SpiceJet airlines. Decent service at a fairly affordable rate.


When we had finally boarded, I decided to get comfortable. This mainly just involved taking up my usual place next to window.


Finally we arrived back in Delhi. As with last time in this airport, we got to take a bus between the plane and the terminal.


If feels good to be back. So many things left to see, and only one more week until Papa comes.