Getting a behind-the-scenes tour at a coffee plantation in Coorg District. Karnataka State produces 80% of India's coffee, of which 80% is produced in this district. The plantation owner (the man standing in the picture) loaded us into the back of his truck and drove us through the plantation to see the coffee, herbs and spices, fruit and nasturtiums grown on the sprawling grounds. The "jungle" was so dense and lush, it felt like something out of a Jurassic Park movie. It was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in India.
I GOT TO PET A BABY ELEPHANT! Her skin was so soft, yet tough - and was covered in tiny wiry black hairs. Their tails look just like paintbrushes - and rings that contain elephant hair are believed to be auspicious. Elephants have been tamed by and worked alongside Indians for centuries, so it was very interesting to observe living history at the Dubare Elephant Camp.
The first temple in the Namdroling Nyingmapa Tibetan Monastery, home to the famous Golden Temple. This temple boasts a large picture of the Dalai Lama. The two small yellow buildings in front of this temple house large incense-burning stoves, which were lit when we left as prayer began.
Seated inside the Golden Temple. When I was in India two years ago, I visited this site twice... the spirituality and magnificence is breathtaking. It's definitely one of my favourite stops. During my last visit, the floor was covered with prayer mats and we sat silently around the edge of the mammoth room as Buddhist monks prayed, gongs pounded and conch shells were blown. It was awe-inspiring. This time, the mats were rolled up and put away, so we were able to walk right up to the statues and sit on the floor - the level of detail not only in the statues, but also in the murals covering all of the walls, the textiles wrapping each pillar and the doors themselves is amazing.
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