Entrance to Shilparamam Park.  It was pretty close to where Jake was staying in Hyderabad, India.

Water fountain in the park

Hyderabad’s version of the duck boats!  Not sure I would want to go splashing around in the water though.

Not sure about the wiring in the park!  This was a pretty common sight in the various places we visited.  I am sure Jake’s cousin who is an electrician would have something to say about this one, ha!

Jake patiently waiting on the bridge for me to catch up!

Peaceful pond full of duck boats looks so pretty.

Cow with its horns painted blue and all decked up pulling a cart with items they plan to sell at the market place

Huge elephant statue you walk under to get to another part of the park.

This was interesting…..in the park they had a section which was a museum that told some of the history of Hyderabad, India and trades found in the area but they did it using all props.

Sankranthi Festival Display – outside props that were part of the museum portion of the park.   I loved the bamboo fence, it was really pretty!

The largest patch of green grass I saw in Hyderabad!  It was a field for concerts inside the park. Grass was not something you seen a lot of in the part of town where we were located. I bet the cows, goats, and other livestock I seen on the streets going through trash to find something to eat would have loved a chance to nibble on this grass!

Cool waterfall in the park….the smell reminded me of Reedy River at Falls Parks.  Beautiful but not ideal swimming or splashing around in water.

Watching a group of people in the park play a party game.  It kind of looked similar to “Duck, Duck, Goose” or “Musical Chairs”  They were having a lot of fun!

Elephant fountain in the park.  The bottom row of fountains are elephants spraying out water through their noses.  We were told that elephants were a symbol of “good luck” so you see them often.  Although we have been told various stories as to why they are good luck and what type of luck, not sure which is accurate or if there are just several stories that go along with the elephant symbol.

“Living Rock Gallery” inside the park.  The rocks have plaques on them explaining their symbolizism and place of honor.  I have heard of rock gardens but never a living rock garden so it was something different that I haven’t seen before.

If you pause for even a split second or happen to look in the general direction of someone’s shop they will rush out to greet you and try to get you to look at the items they have for sale.  This guy was trying to get us to buy his fabric.  They did not hestitate to sale you anything from rugs, to flowers, pottery, clothes, knick knacks, bangles, spices, and much more!  Most people were ok when you said “No, thank you” but there were a few who would literally follow you around asking you to look, touch, and buy their items.  You could spend an entire day going from shop to shop and having them sell you their goods if you wanted to, thankfully I am not a big shopper and Jake had already purchased a couple items for the kids before I arrived.

The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family and ways we relax.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!