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Part 2: Grounds |
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Heading up towards the hilltop from the farmhouse, you come to a large stone gateway with a tile rooftop. This is the entrance to the more exclusive and luxurious portion of the grounds at the farm. Along all the paths and walkways are wonderful works of masonry and landscaping.
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After passing through the gate, the path steers you between two symmetrical fountains, which stretch out lengthwise down the slope towards the gate. In this photo, Stephanie is taking a short rest atop one of the fountains.
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Sitting became a favorite pastime, as we found so many places to sit! Here, Keith and Stephanie are discussing the pleasures of life on one of the plentiful benches amid the tropical botanical wonderland, while the bright snow of the Himalayas reflects in the background.
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Stephanie counts the steps leading up and up and up . . .
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The summit is graced with a kidney-shaped pond which curves around a small monument. The brick pyramid topped with a spherical stone marks the highest point of the mountain. A small but well-crafted pavilion provides welcome shade from the intense sun, and is a wonderful place to lay down and rest, or to sit and meditate.
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As sunset approaches, Stephanie wanders about in her salwar kameez, inspecting the life of the pond, and otherwise absorbing and reflecting the intense beauty and eternal calm of the place.
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The golden rays of the falling sun illuminate everything they touch: a yellow flower, a youthful face, a carved wooden post, an evergreen tree, and a distant glacier.
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Here, Keith and Stephanie are enthusiastically watching yet another perfect sunset, as a red sun drops behind the distant mountains.
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From the lookout pavilion at the top of the mountain, it is possible to see clearly in all directions. I was able to stitch together eight different photos to create a 360-degree panorama. If your computer has QuickTime, click on the picture that opens and drag your mouse to look around.
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Click here for a 360-degree panoramic view
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A short time after sunset, as the last light of the sun was fading away, I was able to capture this photo of the faint illumination of some blossoming flowers, while Venus, the evening star, gleams in the background.
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