Journeys in India - E5 The Far North

Whether you refer to Udaipur as the City of Lakes or the City of Dawn, you're sure to agree that romance and beauty fill the air. In Jaipur, we tour the Pink City, paying close attention to such architectural treasures as the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal) and the Amber Fort.

Discover the amazing history of this ancient city through its religion, royal lineage, architecture and art. We visit the Golconda Fort where the ultimate in diamond souvenirs originated. And, of course, no visit to Hyderabad would be complete without taking a look at its high-tech and movie industries, which have revolutionized the city.

Bill encounters the magnificent tiger along with Sambar and Blue Bull, Wild Boar and Langur Monkey in the wildlife sanctuary of Ranthambore. We end the episode with a tour of a very different national park. Board a rickshaw and join your guide as he explores Keoladeo National Park, known for its abundant bird life.

We cruise the backwaters of Kerala, one of the most beautiful and serene areas of India. We explore the cities of Cochin and Kozhikode, attend a local theatre performance and learn about traditional drama styles. The drama continues as we witness a local festival and then take in a display of the ancient art of Kalaripayattu. Bill helps raise the Chinese fishing nets at dusk and tours a 1000 year old boat yard, where luxury vessels are still handcrafted.

Agra is home to India's most recognizable monument—the Taj Mahal. First, we tour the Agra Fort and learn its role n the incredible history behind the Taj Mahal's construction. Bill takes us to a factory where we learn how the craft of stone inlay that adorns the Taj Mahal, is still made today. We continue on to Fatehpur Sikri, a former Mughal capital, which was created of red sandstone and displays the influence of its Hindu and Mughal roots.

With classic tales as The Jungle Book to his credit, Rudyard Kipling brought India to life for many readers around the world. In this episode, Bill steps back into Kipling's wild world while exploring Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, the inspiration for The Jungle Book and many other tales. There, we track tigers and search for jackal, sambar, chital, monkeys and wildboar.

Follow Bill as he journeys through this city of contrasts and touches on its many faces. We visit Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh Gardens, shop in the markets and explore the nightlife of the modern city. We also explore architecture, from ancient Bull Temple, the legendary source of the Vishva Bharti River to the largest legislative building in India. Bill's final stop is the “Queen of the Hill Stations” Ooty.

Explore the Gateway to India—Mumbai. From its early history, it's many foreign occupations to the hustle and bustle of today. Bill tells Mumbai's rich history as told through two of its most famous inhabitants, Gandhi and Kipling. From Mumbai Bill heads to a little bit of heaven on earth, the coastal paradise of Goa. This hot spot for “in the know” travelers feature white, sandy beaches and is surrounded by tropical plant life.

The desert of Gujarat is hardly the place one expects to encounter a lion, but in the scrub forest of the region Bill does exactly that. Join him as he tracks the lion and many less dangerous creatures from spotted deer to owls and parrots. Around the campfire at night meet the local dance group who is preserving the traditional dances of the area people. A unique experience in a unique region.

Bill explores the city's growth under the British East India Company, with visits to Fort St. George and the Fort Museum. We then travel to the nearby Sao Tome Basilica, the church and burial site of St. Thomas the Apostle. In Pondicherry, French influences can still be felt in the treelined streets, colonial mansions and cafés. It's beautiful setting on the Bay of Bengal makes Pondicherry a delightful place to spend the day.

We journey through the capital of India. The bustling metropolis is filled with modern skyscrapers that stand side by side with the hundreds of ancient monuments, making Delhi a physical dichotomy of yesterday and tomorrow. In the old city, we travel by rickshaw through the narrow streets and discover a world that is quickly disappearing.