Category: Asia

Posted in Asia, India

One Last Goodbye Before Leaving Chennai

Posted on by David Gaines

We returned from Kerala for the rest of the day in Chennai before having to head home.  A week simply isn’t a lot of time to see everything that India has to offer.  Barely enough time to see what Chennai itself has to offer, but that can wait for another day.

Since most of the team in Chennai work eastern standard timezone hours, we missed them the first time we stopped by the office.  So, we waited around until the sun was just rising over our nation’s capital, or the afternoon in Chennai, to catch up with the rest of my people.

Continue reading “One Last Goodbye Before Leaving Chennai” →
Chinese fishing nets in Kochi
Posted in Asia, India

Chinese Fishing Nets, Backwaters and Kathikali in Kochi

Posted on by David Gaines

Nduku was feeling quite ambitious with our trip to India. Though we only had a week, she was intent on seeing as much of different parts as possible, and everyone had been suggesting Kerala. So, off we went to the other side of southern India to Kochi, locally known as Cochin, a major port city on the southwest coast of India. It’s the most densely populated city in Kerala. Continue reading “Chinese Fishing Nets, Backwaters and Kathikali in Kochi” →

Posted in Asia, India

Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Other UNESCO Sites in Mahabalipuram

Posted on by David Gaines

It. Was. Hot.

When I first mentioned to my people in India that we were coming in April, expecting them to sound excited, the first thing they all said was, “why?”

It wasn’t a why are we coming to visit. It was a why are we coming in April. This is when the temperatures start climbing and it can get unbearable. Had me trying to convince Nduku to change our itinerary to South America or Siberia. But we stuck to the plan and yes, it was hot.

But we braved the heat to check out Shore Temple and all the other landmarks in Mahabalipuram. Continue reading “Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Other UNESCO Sites in Mahabalipuram” →

Ideal Beach Resort
Posted in Asia, India

Heading South to Ideal Beach Resort

Posted on by David Gaines

With only a week in India, we didn’t spend much time in Chennai that first day. One of my goals was to visit the Stone Temple in Mahabalipuram. When my boss heard I was going to India, he arranged for us to have a driver while in India, so we loaded up the car and headed south. It’s one of the reason why I’ve been with my company for over eight years and have no intentions of ever leaving.

We stayed at Ideal Beach Resort. Quaint. Probably not the highest rated, but it was a cool little spot to lay our heads. Continue reading “Heading South to Ideal Beach Resort” →

Posted in Asia, India

Arriving in Chennai

Posted on by David Gaines

For Najwa’s spring break, we decided to use the week to get out of the country. And we’re not talking about a hop down to an island off the coast of America. Nduku is always thinking big for these trips so she wanted to go somewhere on the other side of the planet. So, we chose India.

Most people’s itinerary when going to India would be to visit the Taj Mahal, Mumbai, New Delhi, something up north, maybe Goa, maybe Kolkata. But I was adamant that if we’re going to go to the subcontinent, we have to go see my friends in the south. So off to Chennai we went.

Continue reading “Arriving in Chennai” →
Posted in Asia, UAE

One More Stop to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa Before Heading Home

Posted on by David Gaines

Before boarding the plane and saying goodbye to Dubai, we went back to Dubai Mall to meet up with Nduku and Mutethya’s cousin Nyiva. I can’t say enough about how huge this mall is. At 12.1 million square feet, it is the world’s largest mall in total area. The highlight though isn’t inside the mall and we wanted one more visit before heading home. Continue reading “One More Stop to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa Before Heading Home” →

Posted in Asia, UAE

Brief Respite in Fujairah and the Gulf of Oman

Posted on by David Gaines

The east side of UAE isn’t as modern as Dubai or Abu Dhabi. But it does still have its resorts. We didn’t stick around, but we hung out for a moment at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort. It was a long ride, through the desert, across the mountainous parts of the UAE, all the way to the Gulf of Oman. Continue reading “Brief Respite in Fujairah and the Gulf of Oman” →

Posted in Asia, UAE

Al Bidya Mosque — UNESCO World Heritage Site

Posted on by David Gaines

Along the way to the other side of the country, we passed by something that looked like something that a tourist might visit. And when traveling with kids, getting them out the car from time to time is always a good idea. Fortunately, we stumbled upon Al Bidya Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue reading “Al Bidya Mosque — UNESCO World Heritage Site” →