Anne and Spencer's Excellent Adventure: May 2016

I suppose there's a chance there will be one more post, but as we tie up loose ends and finish our time here, things seem so busy that this will probably be our last entry. How to finish it all? Just photos of people and places! We've had lots of time with friends, on our own exploring our neighborhood, and generally enjoying life. Sad to see it come to an end, but looking forward to being home, too.

We've had some great adventures!

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A lovely group of women from all different countries who have a shared interest in Japan and Japanese and Japanese food - I only wish we met sooner in my time in Mumbai!

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A visit from Lalit who was visiting from the US for business

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A walk in our Bandra neighborhood in Mumbai

A man and his banana cart

If you look carefully, you'll see that this is a man walking a monkey!

Future St. Pauli girls??

A late discovery - India's Sula Wineries Chenin Blanc that is only $10 a bottle. Not bad considering that imported wine has a 180% import duty!

Our street

Fruit and veg stand on our street

Our bakery down the street

Bread in a bike basket.

A message next to an auto-rickshaw - not sure what it says.

The flour mill down the street.

Closer view of the flour mill - the miller is covered in white dust and looks ghostly when we pass by.

Our uber pickup and drop off point - easier to find than our apartment.

A newly attended to bungalow down the street - the date on the front is 1929.

Another view

More shops on our street - and an auto rickshaw.

After our spring break in Rajasthan, we took two more trips - one in and one out of India to see friends from our days in Arizona. We spent a brief time in Muscat, Oman and then in Bangalore where we celebrated our 22nd anniversary. :) Both trips gave us the opportunity to meet up with people we hadn't seen in ages and to renew friendships. Beautiful!

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At Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport

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Off for a quick trip to Oman to see Rana and Dave. We hadn't seen Rana since 2006, and it was such a great visit. Spencer and I didn't get pics of our attempts at stand up paddle boarding, but even without evidence, we know it would be better called sit down paddle boarding in our cases!

A beautiful mosque in Muscat.

Another gorgeous mosque in Muscat.

An official building - Muscat.

On a drive down the coast to Yiti.

At the Grand Hyatt, Muscat - gorgeous lobby!

Amazing stained glass at the Grand Hyatt, Muscat.

More amazing stained glass.

Rana, Eliza, and Debbie in the Grand Hyatt lobby as we all share photos.

...and take photos. too!

Rana feeding the neighborhood cats - they love her!

Tamra, the happiest rescued street dog in Oman.

Rana, Dave, and Tamra in their gorgeous home.

View from the rooftop terrace.

Sunset from the rooftop terrace.

Sunset #2

A morning walk on the beach with Rana and Tamra.

Tamra running by on the beach.

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A trip to Bangalore/Bengaluru to see old, old friends from Phoenix - haven't seen them in 13-14 years! We had a wonderful visit. :)