Hi Hendrineke im Min i have been away from puter for a couple of days and i must say i have read all the posts here from yourself and everyone and i must tell you you have kept my interest all the way to the end.

You write beautifull and your explanation of things is top notch.

I havent seen your pictures yet but i will in a minute.

I have dropped in to your country twice but not gone from airport.

Your life seems wonderful right now and you seem so content in your new country.

I myself am in an adopted country Australia i am a yorkshire lady from England.

I look forward to some more of your news

Nice to meet you

Min

 

Hi Hendrneke

I have just looked at your photos they are lovely thank you for sharing them with us.

I will be in Singapore soon for my holidays,they say it is a nice but busy place.

I am looking forward to it as i will be visiting KL also.

Im looking forward to a singapore sling at the raffles and shopping im not sure if it will beat hong kong thou as thats my favourite destination.

Min

Hendrineke ... Your pic's are beautiful, the architectural designs of the palace -- I'm in awe... The little boy is adorable and the elephant's majestic in their enviroment.

My oldest brother was once stationed in Sri Lanka, he's retired Air Force --  his twin girls were born there, Serena Beth and Sara Kristin. There wasn't any fresh milk to get them so they had to  use with powdered milk and boiled water. The lake in Kashmir is very similair to some of those in the state -- quite lovely.

I'm going to search for map of India with google and see if I can figure out your exact location.

Thank you for sharing so much beauty with us.

Karen

The pictures were all taken this year.And yes, the little boy is the son of friends of ours and it is snow idd.It was in the Himalayas that picture.

We have travelled a lot this year and Sri Lanka (elephants) was very very nice.Pity there is so much fighting going on in the north.We visited the world famous elephant orphanage there, hence all that many of them.

I am down at the moment with a bad headcold(yes  know "in India") hahahaha

The fountains are in Dal-lake in Kashmir and are in the middle of the lake.Yes there is a distinct lack of tourists this year due to several factors.Firstly the global recession, secondly the unrest and thirdly people tend to go somewhere different yearly and we here in Goa have had the Boom in tourism, i think.

It will settle down to a regular stream of visitors from abroad and there will be more domestic tourists coming here I think.

We are not going to travel into India for the time being as there is so much unrest in the country.At least here we know we are safe.

At the end of each holiday season our elephants are taken back to the jungle for a good feed up and rest.And by Nov.1st. they are back again to take tourist on trips.Well they are here again and lovely to have them back looking well fed and happy.

They say elephants never forget

 and I am sure of that.They come past my home every day and I am sure they know me as their trunks start "waving" as soon as they get near.

They have names as well and are quite happy to let you stroke them. 

I love living here as we get so much wildlife as well.We often get monkeys on our roofterras,playng with anything that is lying aroud there.Sometimes if we forget to shut the in-between door they come in the house and go in the maids workroom and play havoc in there,much to her annoyance.

Anyway the street below is a hive of activity and street hawkers selling everything from brooms and brushes,dinner sets, pots and pans, sugarcane juice, knife sharpners etc.etc.  pass by shouting their wares.Quite a colourful spectacle daily

So now you have a small glimpse of my daily life here.Never a dull moment.

Till next time, Hendrineke

 

Fascinating to read about a day in your life, Hendrineke. I'm afraid the tourist market may take a large hit this year too with this recession -- unfortunately travel packages haven't been reduced any to give it a boost.

I think staying safe in Goa then venturing into any likely trouble. I tried to place Goa by searching out map of India -- had no luck -- only beautifully written articles.

It amazes me how so many of  my sister divas have made friends with animals I thought couldn't be domesticated -- you and the elephants, workskipper and her turkeys. I'm a city dweller so I've had several cats and dogs through the years, we have farming communities in rural counties with their cows, horses, pigs, chickens ect. but I've never had the good-fortune to be a part of that kind of atmosphere -- I'm beginning to think what a tragedy that is for me -- missing so much ...

Monkeys are so mischievious, I can't say I blame your maid. When my youngest daughter was around 8 yrs. old she asked for a pet monkey -- not quite understanding why she'd want a monkey for a pet I asked her why  -- she wanted one because they poo in their hands and throw it at people. "Out of the mouth of babes", I still giggle when I think of it.

The closest we have of your street wares would be at community flea markets, I love to go to them, it's like going to a hundred garage sales all at once.

Karen

I wrote wrong turkey lady -- that'll be Marty.

Hello Karen,

You need to find a map of India first.Then find Mumbai(formerly Bombay)

When you find that you move south along the coast and about a quarter way along you find the smallest state of India/Goa.It lies along the coast of the Arabian Sea.If you go to google and klick www.goa.com you can learn more about this place.My small town is called Calangute.

Hope this will help you,

affectionately  Hendrineke

Hi Hendrineke and Ladies this post is just wonderful I am learning so much.

The Australian Cricketers are over there at the moment but the crowds seem to be terribly small compared to other years. They are blaming the IPL. I love Cricket but unfortunatley I have not got cable so am unable to watch it. I think the fourth test starts today.

Clare oz

Going to click on Goa now.

I don't have cable either -- so PC is my entertainment -- I've learned so much through the research available on-line.

Thanks Hendrineke -- after I finish all the posts I'll be goggling too...

Karen