Helping You Struggle Less & Smile More
invitation
You are invited to join Roke (Krishnakali) on a journey to her/their beloved homeland, India. For the 5th time, Cardamom Affair will host a small group of women as they experience India through the eyes of one of her own.
Roke was born and raised in Kolkata, India. Though she came to the USA 30 years ago, and calls the Bay Area her other home, she spends 3 months every year in India. Roke is a Somatic Life Coach, Human Energy Teacher, and a Spiritual Guide in the Hindu/Indian tradition. Her intention for creating these trips is to allow India to work her transformative magic on you, by changing your perspectives and expanding your view of life.
Our Next Two back to back Trips are scheduled for:
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October 2024: All Women Tour of Blissful South India & Bengal.
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November 2024: All Women Tour of Royal North India & Bengal.
why us?
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You come to India as a guest of Roke and her Mom, Bhadra, not a mere tourist. And a member of a small all women group.
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Being with Roke, you receive an insider's sense of India, but from the place of ease, comfort, and safety that we are used to in the western world.
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Her company at all times as your hostess, guide, and facilitator of inner journeys, in addition to having local guides in some places, deepens your experience of India.
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Providing choices and flexibility is of utmost importance to us. Most days you can choose to do what the group is doing or go on your personal quest.
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Roke facilitates 4 Discovery Sessions, before going to India (through zoom and/or in person meetings). You get to connect with fellow travelers, as you prepare for and learn about India. Traveling with people you already know enhances the journey.
20 days - October 14 to November 2, 2024
signature experiences
These are samples of experiences; hand-crafted by Roke for the South/East India trip; based on her vision of bringing the diverse uniqueness of India and taking into account the wide range of interests her guests may have. She created these kinds of options for guests to enjoy in addition to visiting important historic, architectural, or spiritual sites at each place.
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Mamallapuram: An Unesco World Heritage Center, this town on on the coast is a sweet spot to start the trip while visiting 7th-8th Century architecture, art museum, and walking amongst temples in the beach. You also visit Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapa, Shore Temple, Mahishasuramardini Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapams, and the seven rathas or temple chariots.
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Pondicherry: In Pondicherry visit, Cluny Embroidery center, paper making factory, Manakula Vinayar Temple, Church & Gober market- flowers, fruits & Vegetables. A short ride of Rickshaw through various sights of Pondicherry including some historical buildings. The next day we visit Auroville in the morning. In the afternoon we visit Ganesh Temple for Elephant Blessing activities and then attend night temple ceremony in Ganesh temple.
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Chidambaram: Visit famous Nataraj temple and go to Pichavaram mangrove forest.
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Tranquebar: Visit the Fort Dansborg, the town gate and Old Danish Cemetery.
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Chettinad: Visit Tile factory, historical sights, weaving centre, and local market .
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Madurai: Visit Saint Mary’s Cathedral church and thereafter visit snake exhibition center. Next day visit Sri Meenakshi Temple and Tirumalai Naicker. Also visit the Madurai fruit, flower, vegetable market which is one of the largest in Tamil Nadu.
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Munnar: Visit Tea Museum, spice plantation and Old CSI church followed by nature walk. Go to a few non-profit centers of art. Next day have an unique experience of making tea from leaf to cup.
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Periyar: Visit the National Park and the spice plantation
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Kumarokam: Play with Elephants, stay in a houseboat, and explore the backwaters.
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Kochi: Walking tour of Kochi followed by Kathakali dance show. The next day visit Fort Cochin & Mattancherry covering the Dutch Palace, The Jewish Synagogue, The St. Francis Church, and Chinese fishing nets.
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Kolkata: We meet members of Sappho, a group of queer women and feminist activists. Members of North India trip join us.
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Amadpur: Bike Ride, Swimming and fishing in the pond, tribal art, basket weaving, drumming-singing-dancing with indigenous women, making paper from recycled clothes, teaching and performing with the village kids, a cultural-spiritual-philosophical discourse with the village priest and grandmothers, and photography tour of the village.
LOGISTICS
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The cost of this trip is $5880. Early Bird price is $5700 which ends on March 15.
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To register, contact Roke at roke.noir@gmail.com or 510.681.9740 to make a non-refundable deposit of $500. The rest is payable by July 15. Deferred Payment Plan are available with 10% additional interest.
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The price includes all accommodations (double occupancy), all transportations in India, food and non-alcoholic beverages, entry to all sites, and participation fees for all activities. It does not include airfare, travel insurance, and visa.