Program Summary

East and More East

Sunriser Max Bridges and spouse Dee Dee added Dubai and India to their passport stamps earlier this year.  As a Public Works Administrator and Educator, Max and Dee Dee’s travel lenses see technology and culture with complimentary filters. 

Dubai, home to some of the worlds’ hottest temperatures and the Guinness Book of Records Tallest Structure in the world provided indoor and outdoor attractions~~ all fully air conditioned. Included was a 4-wheel drive desert excursion.  The Burj Khalifa, at 1,833 feet, the building affords unique panoramic views of land, sea and toni high rises appearing miniscule nearly a quarter of a mile below.

The second leg of Max & Dee Dee’s adventure took them to India with an Overseas Adventure Travel group (OAT) to several northern Indian Cities.

Old Delhi is a living museum of the past and present:  Traffic includes cars, bikes, motorbikes, cows, and pedestrians, even elephants.  Traffic moves without signage and with what Max described as an ad hoc adherence to lights and right of way.  On the sidewalks were vendors for food and first aid.  Dental extractions could be obtained while waiting to cross the street.  That is convenience!

Mosques demonstrate exquisite stonework craftsmanship.  One day, the tour observed two hot air balloons trying to land, without success due to high winds.

In Agra, home of the Taj Mahal, Max and Dee Dee visited the World Heritage site, noticing the ongoing surface restoration in progress on the native white marble and jade and crystal from China.  Built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a shrine to his favorite wife.  It is considered the jewel of the Indian Muslim culture.

An artisan and textile craft coop.

Strong in tradition and faith to natives, visitors to the City of Agra witnesses public cremations, ritual bathings in the Ganges River and an often inspirational invitation to light a memorial candle and set it afloat on the river in Varanasi.

The Bridges’ trip was rounded out with treks to the Ranthampore National Park and camping in Jaipur.

For additional views of the Bridges adventure, checkout their photo cache on our website at  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4124/PhotoAlbums/dubai-and-india-2017