Thursday, April 23, 2009

Awe striking Arizona













As we flew into Phoenix, the view was breathtaking. The city was surrounded by hills and mountains and I felt that there was a big similarity between Phoenix and Dubai- both are awesome, well developed deserts. That evening we drove 5 hours to Glen Canyon in page and checked into our hotel.
Day 1- Sightseeing in Page near the north rim.
We visited the Antelope canyons- upper and lower. We also visited the Horse-shoe bend. All these places looked like paintings (as you can see for yourselves in the snaps). I could not believe my eyes. I didn't even want to blink, I just wanted to keep my eyes wide open and take in all the beauty of Page. The day was perfect and went as planned and in the evening we drove from Page to Grand Canyon.
Day 2- It snowed so hard, drizzled and it was so foggy in Grand Canyon that there was no point going to the national park. The weather thought it could could screw our holiday. But we were the "smart" ones. We showed "a finger" to the weather because we had a back-up plan and drove 2 hours down the hills to the plains where it was so bright and sunny and saw the most intriguing sights.
We visited the Painted desert, the petrified forest and the meteor crater. At the end of the day, we were glad it snowed in Grand Canyon because, if not we would never have gotten a chance to see these amazing natural wonders. This pic shows the painted desert. It really looks painted doesn't it?

Day 3- We drove down to Sedona. It was the most scenic drive. And it is the most beautiful little town and believe me, it's a must-see if anyone plans to travel to Arizona. Pictures do not do justice to this place. You have to go and see it with your naked eyes to understand what I'm talking about. I was awe struck. ( I would not mind spending the rest of my life there). To me Sedona was a mini-Switzerland. The town center was ditto Switzerland with rock formations all around instead of snow capped mountains. My jaw dropped. If Switzerland was in a desert, it would definitely look like Sedona. Sedona was absolutely "love at first sight".
In Sedona, we saw all the rock formations, views and the Cathedral on the rock.

I must mention the wonderful handicrafts and curios that are handmade by the American-Indians. The painted earthern pottery and jewellery were the most stunning amongst all. I could not help myself when I bought a piece of pottery which I hope to carry to India in one piece. My fingers are crossed:)
And that evening we had our flight back home. On the whole, we had a great great trip.
Am I sad that we couldn't visit the Grand Canyon national park? The answer is a big NO, not the least bit. Why? Because, we have planned another visit to Arizona and Utah in August :)
I HOPE I HAVE NOT OFFENDED ANYONE BY MAKING A TRAVEL POST IN A FOOD BLOG. Just hoping no one will have issues with that.

Luv 'n' luc'
Smitha

30 comments:

  1. Offend us? Are ya crazy? ;D

    It's wonderful to see you enjoying your vacation. Love the photos. We stayed in Sedona for 4 day and went to see those too but didn't walk inside the Canyon since my kids were young then.

    have a great time there, hugs! :)

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  2. wow! its soo wonderful ..to see u there .hope u had great time ..Thanks for posting lovely snaps ..its soo amzing .:)

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  3. Wow..Lovely snaps. thanks for sharing it with us. Have a great time dear.

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  4. we have also been to antelop canyon. it is such a nice place, isn't it.... nice pics.

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  5. Wow Smitha nice pics... this is the second post about grand Canyon today :) All I can say is you outsmarted the weather and to show us all these wonderful pics... We have been planning to go to CG for yrs but landed up at Ausable Chasm (CG of the East, NY)... Now I feel I should definitely be there...

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  6. Wow smitha nice pictures.. nice place to see.

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  7. Wow....Stunning pictures, thats an amazing place, looks like you had a great time....thanks for sharing...Now I've another one in my endless list of to go places:)...

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  8. wowwwwwwwww nice pics..next month i am also going to see this..i guess you had a great time!!

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  9. Hi Smitha,
    Glad to know u enjoyed ur trip,nice read about ur travel too, superb pics :)
    TC

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  10. We recently visited the canyon too! Great wonder!

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  11. O Smita!! I loved your pics!! R they for real? They look like paintings!!!! I am soo happy that u posted a travelogue! :)

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  12. Woooow.....good pics...i have seem these in photoes long back, but thought they were photoshop modiefiied...but they are real!!We are also planning to go to place called Cornwall in Uk here...seems like a very good place...
    Well, It's MES kuttippuram we have been talking abt smitha....I think she is my sis' freind....My sis studied in MES...Dono how she spotted me!!!...U from MES too?

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  13. lovely pics dear...nice post..enjoyed reading

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  14. man.. that is lovely.. you have had great fun

    chriz

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  15. Lovely post . U gave me a refreshing morning by this wonderful write-up. Expecting a lot like this from u dear. The painted dessert looks so pretty. Hope u guys had a nice vacation.

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  16. What an awesome place-great pics too! Looks like you had a great time.

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  17. i promise you, utah will take your breath away.

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  18. Wonderful!thanks the tour ,smitha:)

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  19. awe-striking is right! I had no idea Arizona is so gorgeous! lovely colors!

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  20. thnks for stopping by smitha , will try that! was really impressed by the pics!
    let them keep coming..the pics as well as great blogs :)

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  21. offend us? don't even say that..in fact, thanks for sharing your trip and such lovely pictures!

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  22. Awesome clicks dear.....I can see u had a wonderful time

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  23. The pictures are awesome.. I was thereabouts last year but missed going to the Grand Canyon.. Not enuf time.. But your travelogue made up for it..

    Thanks Smita and nice to get your comment on my blog. I would have reponded in detail had I known your e-mail id..

    cheers

    Vish

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  24. Looks great!! Smitha you look lovely..!

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  25. wow, lovely pics! I had the same feeling visiting New Mexico - Santa Fe, Taos. They are vey similar to Arizona. Awesome pics..yes, same here..I will most likely retire in Santa Fe some day:)

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