The earliest references to the city, as Ujjaini, are from the time of the Buddha, when it was the capital of the Avanti Kingdom. Since the 4th century B.C. the city has marked the first meridian of longitude in Hindu geography. It is also reputed to have been the residence of Ashoka (who subsequently became the emperor), when he was the viceroy of the western provinces of the Mauryan empire.
 

.... I was in India four decades ago and traveled by air from Burma to Calcutta, by train to Patna, air to Kathmandu and back, train onto Benares, Delhi, Agra,(Taj Mahal by Full Moonlight!)  Jaipur, Udaipur and Bombay...and then boarded a ship to Port Said, Egypt. Three weeks in an  AMAZING land - part of a sixteen-month trip around the world!
Poverty is excruciating, culture overflowing with richness, spirituality on multiple levels from various concepts of a Single Source, embues their daily life. The color, scents, tradition, etc. all create an  enormous kaleidoscope of Life. The country is huge, its population more so....the mountains are  high and glorious, the plains vast and flat as a piece of paper: from browns to greens to muddy waters and lazy beasts roaming it all. The emotional space in which these people need to keep themselves just to get through a day must be almost holy to endure what the majority of them do. If you can, see "City of Joy" with Patrick Swayze....India without the smells.....!

Rather than download numerous pictures, I'm inviting Easy Tour alumni and potential travelers to view an extensive photo web-site that I constructed when I returned from India in 2009.  To enter the web-site, go to http://imagesofindia2009.shutterfly.com/, and input sharon as the password to enter the site.  I included commentary, and I encourage visitors to look at all the categories detailed at the top of the site.  There are many additional categories under the tab "Other" as well.

I hope you enjoy viewing the photo slide-shows as much as I enjoyed putting this memory together.  An incredible trip that was possible with the expertise of Easy Tours of India. 

Sharon Hallgrimson

November 26, 2010 Easy Tours of India launches the E-Village!

Asia's Premier Travel Facilitator has introduced a unique package that includes the world's finest lodging at hotels such as the Oberoi Resorts and Taj Palaces, as well as convenient round-trip international travel on Emirates, one of the world’s finest Airlines.

The tour includes non-stop flights to Dubai departing from Los Angeles, New York, Houston or San Francisco. India is just a luxurious 3 hour hop after a brief stopover in Dubai. Add-on’s are available from other US cities, as are Business and First Class upgrades.
 
 This Escorted 16 day experience starts with a two week tour of the premier destinations of India before heading to Dubai. Besides the amazing places that you will visit, this itinerary includes exclusive experiences such as meals with famous chefs, fine dining at venues such as the Burj Al Arab, a desert safari, the viewing platform at the world’s tallest building, elephant and camel back excursions and much more. The complete itinerary can be found at http://www.easytoursofindia.com/tours/16dayindiadubai/opulent.htm

It is Easy Tours’ goal to offer our clients unique, unsurpassed luxury travel experiences.” Sunil Trehan - President, Easy Tours of India. The unveiling of Easy Tours' India and Dubai Package comes just months after they expanded their First Visit Collection to over 50 itineraries and 280 guaranteed small group departure dates every year. To learn more about this amazing tour, visit http://www.easytoursofindia.com/tours/16dayindiadubai/opulent.htm

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