AirPlant

My friend gave out airplants at his wedding a year ago. One of mine flowered! Is is so unique and lovely.  The blooms have gone now, and now new little "pups" are growing. This makes me happy.

Rowan and Adeline

Friends are the best.

Baby Rings

Nippon's mom gave me his baby rings. Aren't they the prettiest, and oh so cute!?

Cool Guys

I found this picture of Nippon, Aja (grandfather), and his brother while looking through photo albums in Bargarh. I thought it was pretty great.

The Taj

We flew back to New Delhi after a rejuvenating stay in Puri. The below picture with the hand is from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. They just finished doing a renovation and it looks amazing. They have two huge stone elephants in the main entrance that are beautiful.  

Even though the kids both weren't feeling too well, and neither were Nippon and I, we decided to not miss our only chance to visit the Taj Mahal.  Rowan ended up throwing up all over both her and I. Luckily I had a sweater that she was able to wear by wrapping and tying, but I had nothing to change into. I tried to get some of the smell and gross stuff off with water and hand sanitizer, and I spent the rest of the day smelling like sour milk (she had just eaten an ice cream cone) and Bath & Body Works apple hand sanitizer. Fun!

There is really nothing that can describe the sheer awe that these ground hold. From afar, and then to a whole new level up close. What craftsmanship! 

The tour guide had Afton and I pose holding the top of the Taj. My fingers didn't match up as well as Afton's. I thought it was pretty cute until I saw every red faced, fanny pack wearing tourist being posed this way. Haha! (Still fun.)

When you are inside the tomb they ask you not take take any photos, so the tour guide took this fabulous shot from outside while we were still in.

You are required to either remove your shoes or wear these adorable booties.

Puri and Konark

Yeah, so I still have some India posts left to do, and since I want to document our trip I am going to still post them regardless of how long it's been. 

After our wonderful visit with family in Bargarh and Athgar we headed to Puri to spend some time on the coast. We also took a day trip to visit the  ancient Konark Sun Temple.

We stayed at the beautiful Mayfair Resort. Our room had amazing views and a lovely relaxing balcony where we could sit and enjoy the perfect weather.

This was taken on the drive to Konark.

The Sun Temple was built around the 13th-century. It is no longer a temple of worship, but rather a historical site. It is listed as one the seven wonders of India. It is built to resemble a chariot. (FYI...Rath means "spoke-wheeled chariot.")

Can you spot the monkeys?

My entourage. Haha! They were one of many groups who asked to have a photograph with me and/or Rowan.

Bought this intricately carved crocodile for my brother there.

Back in Puri we enjoyed playing in the Bay of Bengal, getting massages on the beach, shell haggling,  street market shopping, and a visit to the Jagannath Temple,  an important pilgrimage spot for Hindu devotees.