Mon Jan 31st. update DAY 14
Checked out Golconda Fort today (google it and see some amazing images!!!!).
Only a few more days in this hectic ancient city, then it's off to the backwaters of Kerala,
a Tiger reserve, some amazing temples, ayurveda massage, and 5 star luxury! My friend who
is a Dr of Ayurveda, yoga, etc has promised private lessons in yoga and will eventually start
her own Ayurvedic resort in Dubai, inshallah. Yesterday, I met with a former classmate of my
fathers son, and his wife, who happen to be residing in Hyderabad.
Salar Jung was quite something - the largest private collection in the world! Unfortunately the jewels
(which easily rival the Crown Jewels of England) were not on display. Also visited Char Minar which is
in the old town - very polluted, impoverished, and noisy (moreso than other parts of town, if that's possible)
Thurs Jan 27th India update DAY 10
Arrived in Hyderabad the night of the 23rd. It's mostly been shopping,
facials, etc for mum. But yesterday was Republic Day so we spent the
day at the boys hostel setup by Gulamhussein Bapa (my dadabapa's
brother), which about 6yrs ago was taken over by AKES. It's an amazing
place, where so many underpriviledged kids from Gujarat, Nagpur, AP
etc have had their futures brightened. They have big plans for the
site, which is on some very valuable land, as across the board land is
appreciating rapidly in India, perhaps coinciding with their high
inflation rates. We also visited a new colony, called Green Estate
Cooperative, (built on the site of the Hyderabad 2006 Deedar, where as
many as 150,000 murids participated) where about 800 Ismaili families
will eventually reside. Traffic is intense especially in the Char
Minar area which I haven't yet made it to on this trip. We did make it
to Hussain Sagar Lake, where a large Buddha is erected. Will visit
the magnificent Nizam's Jewels (Salar Jung Museum) tomorrow.
In Pune I got an opportunity to attend a wedding which was great! I
also visited some local hill stations, including Mahabaleshwar and
Paanchgani. Visited the Fidai (boys) hostel in the latter which was an
amazing place with a lot of history. Spent some time with Doorstep
Schools, an organization that ensures transient families who work on
construction sites still have access to education for their children.
I am ready to get out of Hyderabad and can't wait for back water
houseboating, the Tiger Reserve visit and the rest of South.
Arrived in Hyderabad the night of the 23rd. It's mostly been shopping,
facials, etc for mum. But yesterday was Republic Day so we spent the
day at the boys hostel setup by Gulamhussein Bapa (my dadabapa's
brother), which about 6yrs ago was taken over by AKES. It's an amazing
place, where so many underpriviledged kids from Gujarat, Nagpur, AP
etc have had their futures brightened. They have big plans for the
site, which is on some very valuable land, as across the board land is
appreciating rapidly in India, perhaps coinciding with their high
inflation rates. We also visited a new colony, called Green Estate
Cooperative, (built on the site of the Hyderabad 2006 Deedar, where as
many as 150,000 murids participated) where about 800 Ismaili families
will eventually reside. Traffic is intense especially in the Char
Minar area which I haven't yet made it to on this trip. We did make it
to Hussain Sagar Lake, where a large Buddha is erected. Will visit
the magnificent Nizam's Jewels (Salar Jung Museum) tomorrow.
In Pune I got an opportunity to attend a wedding which was great! I
also visited some local hill stations, including Mahabaleshwar and
Paanchgani. Visited the Fidai (boys) hostel in the latter which was an
amazing place with a lot of history. Spent some time with Doorstep
Schools, an organization that ensures transient families who work on
construction sites still have access to education for their children.
I am ready to get out of Hyderabad and can't wait for back water
houseboating, the Tiger Reserve visit and the rest of South.
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