N for Narmada

 The river Narmada in Central India flows westwards while most other rivers of India flow eastwards.Like all the rivers in India, the Narmada is also considered holy. It flows amidst marble rocks in Jabalpur. You can go on a row boat down the river and enjoy the scenery. If you hire a bot with a boatman, he will regale you with funny stories, all in verse.

The Dhuandhar Falls is a bweautiful spot near Jabalpur.

 Maheshwar, a small town on the Narmada, is famous for the fine  Maheshwari sarees made of silk. One can go boating here also.

 Maheshwar was the capital of the Holkar kings of Indore. Queen Ahalyabai in the 17th century brought about a lot of improvements in the kingdom. She is still revered by the people of Madhya Pradesh.

A memorial to the legendary queen is visited reverently by hundredsof people every day.

My thanks to Mrs.Nesbitt who started ABCWednesday, and to Roger and his team.

Macau, where Money is Made and Lost

 Macau is one of the two Special Administrative Regions  of China. Macau was under Portuguese rule until 1999, when it was transferred back to China.The photo above is the Fishermen's Wharf, a theme park.  The picture below is that of the Tower.

 Unlike Hong Kong, the other Special Administrative Region, Macau has no forests, pastures or woods. The drab and boring landscape is now made immensely attractive by the casinos, which are an epitome of luxury. 

 Bungee jumping is done from the top of the Tower.

 The Venetian Macau is the largest casino in the world, they claim. Te ambience is like Venice, coplete with canals and Gondolas. The computer controlled artificial blue sky is always suggesting late afternoon.

 Macau is the world's fourth richest region. Wealthy Chinese flock to the casinos to try their luck.Great fortunes are made and lost in the 35 luxurious casinos of Macau.

This ancient temple is dedicated to the Chinese goddess Matsu, who is the protector of fishermen and seafarers.This place has a small wooded path up a hill, overlooking the sea.

My thanks to Mrs.Nesbitt, who started ABCWednesday, and to Roger and his team who manage it so well.