Chasing the Monsoon

Jorge Reverter · Dec 3rd, 2007, 01:11

I know is the title of a book from Alexander Frater, but as far as I want to make a journey through the monsoon, this title is probably the best.

Last year traveling in West Bengal I've got the opportunity to read the book and loved it. The book was written twenty years ago and some times looks a little old but is certainly original and amusing.

I have the idea of traveling next year during the monsoon period from Kanyakumari to Cherrapunji/Mawsynram in Meghalaya but not through the same places than A. Frater did.

Some of my question are: Do you know interesting places/sites during the monsoon period???
In which places you enjoy most during monsoon????

I'll be grateful of any idea about it.

Thank you.

Jorge

JuliaF · Dec 3rd, 2007, 22:28

I've never been to India in the monsoon, but imagine that Mandu would be lovely, especially the Jahaz Mahal - it might really feel like a ship!

Jorge Reverter · Dec 3rd, 2007, 22:47

Hi JuliaF,

Thanks for the information. I´ve been a couple of times in Mandu and I think is really a jewel. I have writen an article here in IM in Destinations about Mandu wih some pictures: Mandu. Hidden and Forgotten

Jorge

JuliaF · Dec 3rd, 2007, 23:07

Great article Jorge and lovely pictures, brought back happy memories...

Nick-H · Dec 4th, 2007, 00:30

I think there are a few threads which feature monsoon experience, and some posters love it!

In this dry old place we spend 90% of the year dreaming about rain --- and then when it comes, people drown falling down drains where the manhole cover got blown off; get electrocuted from broken mains supply cables falling in the water; and politicians promise to be better prepared next year!

See the birds, when they get their first shower in months: bathing, preening, absolutely loving every drop of it! See them when it has been raining for a week and its hard work to get their wings into working order.

It might turn out to be a bit like it is for the birds: exhilarating at first. I certainly would not want it for company while travelling the entire length of the country!

But I think you'd get everything, from damp, through delays, to downright danger. Quite an adventure!

Nick-H · Dec 4th, 2007, 00:35

Afterthought... I think the possibilities for photography would be wonderful.

It is a great failing of the camera industry that few, other than very expensive or specialised, cameras are weather-resistant, let alone waterproof.

Start saving for those water-proof casings! I certainly look forward to your pics

Jorge Reverter · Dec 4th, 2007, 01:04

Probably you are thinking about the book "Monsoon" from Steve Mc Curry. I'm not trying to make pictures only, is just an excuse to travel through India probably in two legs as four months are two hard for an old man like me

Places like the backwaters from Kollam, Nilgiri Hills, fishing villages near Guruvayoor, the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat with the first rains, Mandu, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar in the Narnama river and may be the marble rocks near Jabalpur, the Aravalli Hills on the way to the Thar Desert and in the second leg the Ganga Valley, Sundarbans, Assam and Meghalaya. Not bad

Jorge

Nick-H · Dec 4th, 2007, 01:32

Nope... I'm thinking of your pics in the gallery!

Even though I think it was Steve McCurry who took one of my favouritest every every pictures.

pontesnm · Dec 4th, 2007, 02:59

I am thinking of going during the monsoon with wife and 2 kids - last week of July and August (for the next few years). In my case it is just because of vacation. Some places (possible) Mandu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kashmir, Ladakh, Lucknow, Deccan (Maharashtra, Karnataka).

The rainy season (July and August) is considered to be the low season for the Indian railways - they even discount Tatkal charges.

Spirit of Havelock · Dec 4th, 2007, 03:53

Cherrapunji: in this area during the monsoon there is really massive fog, more times than not. It can stay like that for days. All the superb views are white-outs and you can't see any of the falls. Hey, it's your trip, (be my guest) but I don't think you'll get the most out of your stay.

The locals call Cherrapunji "Sohra" by the way (even in Shillong). They don't like the the C word, and if you call it "Sohra", they'll like you for it.

For monsoon Meghalaya, wear Nylon, as it doesn't mold. Stuff will mold in your room! Jeans are also bad. And the leeches - urrrghhhh! Keep out of the long grass! Total respect to you for wanting to go to Sohra in the monsoon though - but I'm just being honest. Sohra is a great place to buy fruit, especially jack fruit.

My wife is Khasi. I have been given a large chunk of land not too far from Sohra. I might end up living there in about four or five years. There is a deep valley near Sohra - the locals say there are ashen-coloured dwarves there with big heads and bug-eyes, they call them "Bhoit" and the locals see lots of strange lights. Real X-Files stuff! It's a king crazy place Meghalaya.

Your Spanish government built a huge orphanage for blind, deaf and disabled tribal kids in Shillong, so I guess there must have been many of your compatriots up there at some point. (That place is always open to volunteers by the way - for anybody interested).

Check out Nartiang ruins - India's answer to Stone Henge! Not in any guide book though. I loved that place.

Que tengas un buen viaje y buena suerte, aventurero!

Jorge Reverter · Dec 4th, 2007, 05:15

Thanks for the post, great info. I know almost all the places like Nartiang in Meghalaya because I've been googling here an there and Meghalaya is not a huge state.

To be at Cherrapunjee during monsoon like A. Frater did is normal as we are talking about the rainiest place in the world, is a pity if I can't see the waterfalls but I'm talking too much....

, the main thing now is to decide where to go because I'm sure the monsoon looks different in any site in India and I wonder why Imikers are not advicing me where to go...

Jorge

Spirit of Havelock · Dec 5th, 2007, 00:43

"I wonder why Imikers are not advicing me where to go"

To be quite honest Jorge, I think this is the case because it's not actually a great idea - for 50 different reasons.

Nick-H · Dec 5th, 2007, 01:09

It's taken for granted here that the people you expected to do a job won't turn up if its raining.

Not Monsoon, just a day's rain. It's not that they couldn't get here, its just that --- faced by a bit of rain they give up and go back to bed.

OK, OK, I'm generalising about a city of 8,000,000 people.

Only 7,672,438 act like this.

There are many ways in which monsoon may make your life difficult or dangerous. There are heaps of ways in which it can shred your itinerary. That discounted train may not arrive! You may not be able to get to the station even if it does.

We were in Ooty for a few wet July days. A few days after we left roads were blocked and the mountain railway damaged by floods and landslides. The railway was out of service for several months. One of the main roads was impassable for several days as a bridge had been washed away.

I've been in Kerala in August. Showers, some torrential, but sunshine periods too. It isn't all bad. If you can pick your route and timing to taste monsoon It could be pleasant

Oh, and the visibility from the Nilgiris peaks was about a metre or two. Mrs N found this fascinating, being TN-plains born and bred, but for me a wet November weekend in London would have compared favourably. I don't think Europeans have any need to go chasing rain!!!

Jorge Reverter · Dec 5th, 2007, 01:50

You are absolutely right Nick. Nevertheless the challenge is to do the journey and to see some emblematic places in India under the monsoon, and of course to make thousands and thousands of wet pictures.

By the way, here in my district in Spain it rains only a couple of times a year.

Jorge

Maz 1979 · Dec 5th, 2007, 02:11

I was in Calcutta for the tail end of the monsoon this year. My flight from Delhi was delayed 5 hours and nearly crashed landing - i spent my one and only day in Calcutta from 3 long India trips wading round in waist high brown water round seeing the sights - my train to NJP took 28 hours instead of 10 because the tracks got washed away. I didn't mind any of these things - the riots over Indian Idol are what put a spanner in my day but i think taht's cause of my view on Pop idol and all associated viewing

Basically if you don't mind your plans changing minute by minute and you can stand teh depressing rain for days on end then go for it. I live in England so any trip away is an exercise in avoiding the rain we live with constantly but if that is not an issue for you then go for it.

Dec 3rd, 2007, 01:11	#1
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,105	Chasing the Monsoon I know is the title of a book from Alexander Frater, but as far as I want to make a journey through the monsoon, this title is probably the best. Last year traveling in West Bengal I've got the opportunity to read the book and loved it. The book was written twenty years ago and some times looks a little old but is certainly original and amusing. I have the idea of traveling next year during the monsoon period from Kanyakumari to Cherrapunji/Mawsynram in Meghalaya but not through the same places than A. Frater did. Some of my question are: Do you know interesting places/sites during the monsoon period??? In which places you enjoy most during monsoon???? I'll be grateful of any idea about it. Thank you. Jorge

Dec 4th, 2007, 00:30	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,590	I think there are a few threads which feature monsoon experience, and some posters love it! In this dry old place we spend 90% of the year dreaming about rain --- and then when it comes, people drown falling down drains where the manhole cover got blown off; get electrocuted from broken mains supply cables falling in the water; and politicians promise to be better prepared next year! See the birds, when they get their first shower in months: bathing, preening, absolutely loving every drop of it! See them when it has been raining for a week and its hard work to get their wings into working order. It might turn out to be a bit like it is for the birds: exhilarating at first. I certainly would not want it for company while travelling the entire length of the country! But I think you'd get everything, from damp, through delays, to downright danger. Quite an adventure! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 4th, 2007, 03:53	#10
Spirit of Havelock Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 97	Cherrapunji: in this area during the monsoon there is really massive fog, more times than not. It can stay like that for days. All the superb views are white-outs and you can't see any of the falls. Hey, it's your trip, (be my guest) but I don't think you'll get the most out of your stay. The locals call Cherrapunji "Sohra" by the way (even in Shillong). They don't like the the C word, and if you call it "Sohra", they'll like you for it. For monsoon Meghalaya, wear Nylon, as it doesn't mold. Stuff will mold in your room! Jeans are also bad. And the leeches - urrrghhhh! Keep out of the long grass! Total respect to you for wanting to go to Sohra in the monsoon though - but I'm just being honest. Sohra is a great place to buy fruit, especially jack fruit. My wife is Khasi. I have been given a large chunk of land not too far from Sohra. I might end up living there in about four or five years. There is a deep valley near Sohra - the locals say there are ashen-coloured dwarves there with big heads and bug-eyes, they call them "Bhoit" and the locals see lots of strange lights. Real X-Files stuff! It's a king crazy place Meghalaya. Your Spanish government built a huge orphanage for blind, deaf and disabled tribal kids in Shillong, so I guess there must have been many of your compatriots up there at some point. (That place is always open to volunteers by the way - for anybody interested). Check out Nartiang ruins - India's answer to Stone Henge! Not in any guide book though. I loved that place. Que tengas un buen viaje y buena suerte, aventurero! __________________ Neither worry about, nor rejoice in the future (Ancient Egyptian saying)

Dec 5th, 2007, 02:11	#15
Maz 1979 Monkey Bait Join Date: May 2004 Location: London Posts: 151	I was in Calcutta for the tail end of the monsoon this year. My flight from Delhi was delayed 5 hours and nearly crashed landing - i spent my one and only day in Calcutta from 3 long India trips wading round in waist high brown water round seeing the sights - my train to NJP took 28 hours instead of 10 because the tracks got washed away. I didn't mind any of these things - the riots over Indian Idol are what put a spanner in my day but i think taht's cause of my view on Pop idol and all associated viewing Basically if you don't mind your plans changing minute by minute and you can stand teh depressing rain for days on end then go for it. I live in England so any trip away is an exercise in avoiding the rain we live with constantly but if that is not an issue for you then go for it. __________________ India

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Dec 3rd, 2007, 22:28	#2
JuliaF Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Co Cork, Ireland Posts: 63	I've never been to India in the monsoon, but imagine that Mandu would be lovely, especially the Jahaz Mahal - it might really feel like a ship!

Dec 3rd, 2007, 22:47	#3
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,105	Hi JuliaF, Thanks for the information. I´ve been a couple of times in Mandu and I think is really a jewel. I have writen an article here in IM in Destinations about Mandu wih some pictures: Mandu. Hidden and Forgotten Jorge

Dec 3rd, 2007, 23:07	#4
JuliaF Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Co Cork, Ireland Posts: 63	Great article Jorge and lovely pictures, brought back happy memories...

Dec 4th, 2007, 00:35	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,590	Afterthought... I think the possibilities for photography would be wonderful. It is a great failing of the camera industry that few, other than very expensive or specialised, cameras are weather-resistant, let alone waterproof. Start saving for those water-proof casings! I certainly look forward to your pics

Dec 4th, 2007, 01:04	#7
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,105	Probably you are thinking about the book "Monsoon" from Steve Mc Curry. I'm not trying to make pictures only, is just an excuse to travel through India probably in two legs as four months are two hard for an old man like me Places like the backwaters from Kollam, Nilgiri Hills, fishing villages near Guruvayoor, the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat with the first rains, Mandu, Omkareshwar and Maheshwar in the Narnama river and may be the marble rocks near Jabalpur, the Aravalli Hills on the way to the Thar Desert and in the second leg the Ganga Valley, Sundarbans, Assam and Meghalaya. Not bad Jorge

Dec 4th, 2007, 01:32	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,590	Nope... I'm thinking of your pics in the gallery! Even though I think it was Steve McCurry who took one of my favouritest every every pictures.

Dec 4th, 2007, 02:59	#9
pontesnm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bardez/Mumbai/New Jersey (USA) Posts: 218	I am thinking of going during the monsoon with wife and 2 kids - last week of July and August (for the next few years). In my case it is just because of vacation. Some places (possible) Mandu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kashmir, Ladakh, Lucknow, Deccan (Maharashtra, Karnataka). The rainy season (July and August) is considered to be the low season for the Indian railways - they even discount Tatkal charges.

Dec 4th, 2007, 05:15	#11
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,105	Thanks for the post, great info. I know almost all the places like Nartiang in Meghalaya because I've been googling here an there and Meghalaya is not a huge state. To be at Cherrapunjee during monsoon like A. Frater did is normal as we are talking about the rainiest place in the world, is a pity if I can't see the waterfalls but I'm talking too much.... , the main thing now is to decide where to go because I'm sure the monsoon looks different in any site in India and I wonder why Imikers are not advicing me where to go... Jorge

Dec 5th, 2007, 00:43	#12
Spirit of Havelock Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney Posts: 97	"I wonder why Imikers are not advicing me where to go" To be quite honest Jorge, I think this is the case because it's not actually a great idea - for 50 different reasons.

Dec 5th, 2007, 01:09	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,590	It's taken for granted here that the people you expected to do a job won't turn up if its raining. Not Monsoon, just a day's rain. It's not that they couldn't get here, its just that --- faced by a bit of rain they give up and go back to bed. OK, OK, I'm generalising about a city of 8,000,000 people. Only 7,672,438 act like this. There are many ways in which monsoon may make your life difficult or dangerous. There are heaps of ways in which it can shred your itinerary. That discounted train may not arrive! You may not be able to get to the station even if it does. We were in Ooty for a few wet July days. A few days after we left roads were blocked and the mountain railway damaged by floods and landslides. The railway was out of service for several months. One of the main roads was impassable for several days as a bridge had been washed away. I've been in Kerala in August. Showers, some torrential, but sunshine periods too. It isn't all bad. If you can pick your route and timing to taste monsoon It could be pleasant Oh, and the visibility from the Nilgiris peaks was about a metre or two. Mrs N found this fascinating, being TN-plains born and bred, but for me a wet November weekend in London would have compared favourably. I don't think Europeans have any need to go chasing rain!!!

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Dec 5th, 2007, 01:50	#14
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,105	You are absolutely right Nick. Nevertheless the challenge is to do the journey and to see some emblematic places in India under the monsoon, and of course to make thousands and thousands of wet pictures. By the way, here in my district in Spain it rains only a couple of times a year. Jorge