Today, VD picked me up from the hotel with his wife Mital and his daughter Manatya. We drove into Jamnagar and picked up his friend Pintu Zala and a new friend Siddhraj Jadeja (as translator).
First stop, the ATM.
Second stop, water.
Third stop, the Khijadiya Bird Santuary.
The bird sanctuary is located outside Jamnagar on the other side of the city. So we got to drive through all of Jamnagar. Fun, fun, fun!
When we pulled up to the Interpretation Centre, I thought it was closed. I'm pretty sure it was, but since I'm an American, they let us in!
The building had large pictures with Hindi and English explaining the size of the bird sanctuary, the migration of the birds, etc. It was very nicely done. Then there were old, worn statues of different birds native to the area. (Think "Night at the Museum...only molded and not real.)
Then we got directions into the sanctuary. With plenty of "You're crazy" looks.
See...it's the dry season. The very END of the dry season. Within a few weeks, the rains will start. But for now, everything is as dry as it can possibly get.
Here is a salt pan. It use to be full of water. Then the water left and and salt remained.
A few still have water...and they have a few birds.
Those little dots in the upper right corner are flamingos!
Some birds. The dark on in front is a type of heron.
The salt is piled up.
Later, it will be taken by the truck-load to one of several salt refineries in the area.
Yum! Bet you can't wait to season your food tonight!!!
Next, we drove to another area of the sanctuary. This area had winding dirt roads around depressions that would be full of water during the rainy season. Along the path, they had very nice signs that named some of the most plentiful of the migratory birds.
But for now, it's just a sign in the desert!
This sign is almost as funny as the "Keep Elphanta Island" clean sign!
On our way back into Jamnagar, we stopped and VD picked up a snack for us to share.
This is what they do with the trash they collect. It goes into a field and they burn it.
It's past noon at this point. VD's little girl is hungry for lunch, but I'm not. So VD and his family get dropped off and Pintu, Siddhraj and I go explore some more.
We pass the Water Palace. It was built by a Muslim ruler...back when the Muslims were in control of this region.
Then we drove to the main port. Along they was there were more salt pans. With water. And birds.
I guess the birds missed the directions to the sanctuary!
Here is the coast. This is the Gulf of Kachchh.
Siddhraj's uncle works at the salt refinery at the port, so we got special permission for the American tourist to go see the lighthouse up close.
At the top, the guard was watching us.
On the way to the port, trucks were lined up along the road waiting for loads to haul. Siddhraj said they mainly brought in coal that would be taken to the Essar power plant.
The Indian Navy had a base. Along the walls, they had pictures of their Navy ships. It was a very nice looking facility.
We headed back into Jamnagar...where camels and cow are common.
We stopped by the king's palace again. This time, we stopped by the back side. If you stand on something, you can look over the fence and get a glimpse of the menagerie. There were peacocks and deer in the yard. Apparently, they also have two crocodiles. But, regular people are not allowed inside.
This is a bed that I've seen all around. It's a frame with weaving. People will move these under trees and such to find shade and take naps on them. I've also seen people putting hay on them at feeding time for the goats and cows.
We found VD and his family. I was pretty tired at this point, and I'd already seen the "highlights" of Jamnagar. Some places 3 times now.
So we headed to VD's house. Mital was anxious to show off her home.
VD, Mital (wife), Manatya (daughter), and VD's brother all live together.
There is a walled courtyard, a front room, a back room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
I think the entire thing could fit in our hotel suit!
I came in and sat on her bed. Then she very proudly showed me her wedding album. WOW. Indian weddings are elaborate affairs! Beautiful pictures!
Here is Mital and VD's brother.
Here is Mital and a friend with son that stopped by...to see the American.
Manatya...their one-year-old.
(Being around her made me desperately miss my kids!)
Here is where Manatya sleeps. Very cool!
(The kitchen opens to the right and the bathroon is the little box to the left!)
In the front room where the brother sleeps is a picture of Shiva (center) with each of their parents. Both sets of parents are dead.
Here is the house. It was small, but clean, and definitely felt like a home!
Tomorrow...rest!
