We arrived at Katie's apt and were welcomed by a nice glass of wine. Then after some well needed rest we headed to South Mumbai for some sights and a little shopping.
Fabrics were beautiful, the streets were fragrant (nice and not so nice) and the entrepreneurs were agressive. While no one addressed us as "pretty ladies" (occasional movies star comment but no pretty lady) the sales guys made the vendors in Mexico and the Caribean look like teenage Walmart employees that could care less.
Here is Kt at work, see mom, she is really working there! 
We were even able to ride an auto-rickshaw! that was an adventure! There is not much of a barrier between you and the millions of other vehicles on the road.
Sunday was our day to go waterfall rappalling, the reason why I purchased some travelers insurance. Here we are walking to our death...I mean adventure. 
The location was beautiful and the guides were really nice. We are not rappalling this waterfall, despite Brian's hopes. (Kts co-worker) 
We are doing the little one on the right. We sent Brian down first and since he made it down alive we all decided to go! It was a blast! even though before even arriving at the location i slipped on the rocks and messed up a finger. It didnt hold me back, i just think I might not be able to wear my wedding ring for a while. 
Woohoo! I made it down! 
Now Katies turn! That was a blast! Thanks Sagar (like Lager) for taking us out!
The guides also arranged for a local family to prepare a meal for us....very good! and very spicey. 
While walking back to the car a stampeded insued. Now, I have never like cows much, but I never knew how much I did not like them until I got caught in the middle of the stampede. They had horns! Big ones. Thankfully Brian and one of the guides protected me...I think this was the first time ever I was paralzed in fear.
Next was Elephanta Island, and unfortunately the caves were closed but Megan and I decided to hike around the island. The locals did not understand why we would want to walk inthe woods. We were warned about the very aggressive monkeys that will attack and steal things from you. They look pretty innocent, dont they?.....but dont let them fool you. We witnessed an attack when they double teamed a couple and took everything they had. No kidding! We then picked up the biggest stick we could find and tucked our sunglasses and wallets deep in our day packs. 
The TajMahal Hotel, the sight of the terrorist attach last year. You can see that they are still reparing the building. 
And the view of South Mumbai from the water.
Now off to Matheran, a beautiful hill town about 2 hours from Mumbai. I was amazed buy how many people you can fit on a motorcycle.
The hike was beautiful....and very interesting to see all the horses hauling all the goods up the hill. 
This view was called Monkey Point although oddly there were no monkeys here. I guess it is not quite tourist season, the monkeys come so sell things to the tourists. 
Matheran was an English Tourist destination a while ago...beautiful, sadly abandoned, bungalows were scattered all over. 
Oh, and the food, fabulous where ever we went...except the fresh tomatos....dont eat the tomatos. They will challenge even the stongest di-tract
Just north of Mumbai was Sanjay Ghandi National Park and Caves, a very large and beautiful park in the midst of an insanely busy city. I was able to find Jamison a bird book from India, he will know birds all over the world! This is the place where they first discovered the Atlas moth, the largest in the world. Can you tell Megan and I are biologist geeks! 
This is the beginning of our cave exploration...MANY more to come.
Katie was able to sneak away from work and arrange a trip to Aurangabad, the place where the Ellora and Ajunta Caves are located as well as poor man's Taj Mahal, Bibi-ka-Maqbara.The Ellora caves ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora_Caves) are a serier of Buddist, Hindu and Jain caves that I can not begin to tell you about. They are absolutley stunning and fantastic. I would recommend going to the above wikipedia link to read more. Here are a few of my pics.
SO the geek biologists in Megan and me... what do you think we are looking at???
So intersting we needed a steady hand to document....
Parrots....in real life, not in a pet store. 
And now for some artistic photos. 
We are very happy to come right at the end of the monsoon season...that way there is water in the waterfall! 
YES, there is no "Sweeming" allowed! But yet, we saw sweeming just down stream. ewe. 
Our cabin was located facing the Ellora caves...absolutely beautiful! And a nice relaxing break from Mumbai.Now off to the Ajanta caves ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajanta_Caves ) Older, and more buddist but very different than the Ellora caves. These caves were not discovered until1819. Again, I can not do the history justice...just enjoy some really cool photos.
We hired a guide to explain some of the paintings and history. We shared the guide with two nice guys from Mubai, that if we had more time we would have totally fixed Katie up with Ravi, the guy in the picture. Too bad Kt is leaving so soon. 
ANd the last stop in Aurangabad was the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, or the poor man's Taj. A trip to the real Taj was quite a haul for our short trip to India...so this one will do. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibi_Ka_Maqbara )
ANd the final stop on our "India in 12 days" trip was Goa, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goa) Here we are at Baga Beach, the water, the Arabian Sea. Breath taking! esp at sunset. Goa is know for its beaches and spice markets.
I picked up some saffron, tumeric and cinnamon for a fantastic price. 
And again, the biologists.....the HUGE long horned beetle, just walking on the beach. That is a liter bottle, not a 16oz. 
Goa is also known for its cashews and feni, like a cashew grappa. It makes fantastic drinks! but make sure you order them without ice. Kt got really sick...spent most of her time in Goa in the hotel. It was either that..or the tomatos, stay away from the tomatoes! 
One more picture of Baga beach! Thanks again Kt for taking care of us and showing us your India! She was a fabulous host and "travel agent-G". ALso, THANKS Meg for coming with! I had a great time! Where are you off to next KT????
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