Thursday, February 07, 2008

C Is For Chariot

You Think You Can Take Me For A Ride?

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


The next time you're stuck for transport, this is the chariot I'd recommend. I saw this opposite the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta when I was there in October 2006. Yes, I know you're going to ask me the logical question - did Mrs Authorblog and I take a ride in it?

Er, the answer is no. It was early morning and Mrs Authorblog wasn't with me as I meandered around the city with my camera. And besides, I couldn't see the owner/operator of the carriage, or the horse that would normally be tethered to the shaft.

Yes, I can anticipate your next question too. You want to know if there was evidence that the horse had been in the vicinity? Yep. Did I step in it? Nope, because I'm older and wiser now. Well, older, anyway. Y'know.

Which makes a change from the time I stepped in moose dung in Muskoka. But that's another story - and you can read all about my adventure/misadventure at Bear The Brunt Of It. Luckily I was on my own at the time, else I would have been given the third degree. Or maybe even the turd degree.

47 comments:

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Quite an ornate ride.

none said...

I think I saw those wheels on a famous rappers BMW

Maggie May said...

Hi! I like your blog. The photos are great. Now thats something I cannot do yet! Photos.Glad you didn't step in the turd!

Middle Ditch said...

What some carriage. Shame you couldn't have a ride in it.

dot said...

That is sure a beauty. It looks like something for royalty.

Rune Eide said...

It seems a bit Biblical to me, even tough you say it is from India. Maybe you'll get a ride later on?

virtual nexus said...

Striking chariot - enjoyed the Muskoka link btw; been up in those endless forests....

Leslie: said...

Beautiful CARRIAGE and too bad you and Mrs. didn't get a chance for a meander. Would have been SO romantic!

VP said...

Chariot's on fire perhaps?

Happy Wednesday - except it'll be Thursday over there...

Pernille said...

What a beautiful Chariot!!!

Casdok said...

Thats a shame as it looks like fun!!

Charles Gramlich said...

Wow, that's gorgeous. Sure makes me think of Mardi Gras, which just finished up here.

Gerald (Ackworth born) said...

That's a grand carriage - you asked about the bird on Cardiff photo - was it deliberate? Well I'd no idea it was there until I looked at the photograph later - the way I cropped it for presentation on the blog of course was deliberate.

Am'n2Deep said...

Very intricate! I can't help but wonder how much time and creative energy it takes to build a carriage like that.

aims said...

That is a beautiful chariot! I would love to take a ride in it..just because.....

Thanks for leaving a comment over on my blog. I've been wondering who was reading from Melbourne.

I'll be back.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Turd degree? David, that hurt my brain, that did.

What a lovely chariot though...almost too much so. I think I'd feel a little wary, riding in it.

Dragonstar said...

That is such an incredible chariot! Riding in that you'd feel like fairytale royalty. Two beautiful shots.

FO - 2 said...

Looks like Cinderella`s Chariot. ;)

KaiBlue said...

Aloha David,
What a charming chariot!! Isn't it nice to see things like these kept nice and pristine?
Great picture.
PEace, Kai

Akelamalu said...

That's quite a carriage!

Sandi McBride said...

Don't keel over, but I'm at a loss for words.
Sandi

Corey~living and loving said...

Oh my....what a glorious chariot. so darn pretty.
thanks for sharing it.

Merisi said...

Very interesting chariot! Vienna's horse-drawn Fiaker are very pedestrian looking compared to this one (they are not really chariots, even though there are competitions out there, which are more about skills than speed).
Do you know anything about the history of this type of chariots? I did a quick online search, the most interesting thing I found was about the Rath (Chariot) Yatra festival, which I enjoyed reading about.

Lilli & Nevada said...

What a great looking carriage. I can see some royalty riding that.
Glad you didn't step in anything you shouldn't of

imac said...

Very Interesting C Post David



Come and see my C "Sporty"

FHB said...

Somebody's most surely pimpin' in the hood.

Edmund (the explorer) Nesbitt said...

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Love the reference to bears!
LOL!
Exx

Flassie's Fil'a said...

Beautiful Chariot. Would of been so
nice if you two could of road in it. I wonder what it is made out of? Dsil sent me a photo of a Car made out of Silver. Not the color silver but it was made out of Silver.

Have a Blessed Happy Healthy
Fun Creative Thinking Year!!!

Mom Knows Everything said...

Nice ride, but does it come with winter tires. We got a lot of snow here. hehe!

Kostas said...

Amazing the subject, splendid the photographs, marvellous the comment.
Nice ABC...

Anonymous said...

Wow-that's beautiful!

Sharon said...

What a beautiful find! What was it made of?

BRUNO said...

Is that thing made of wrought-iron, or is it a "replica" look? Lord, I'd hate to think how it would ride on cobblestones! And probably sounds like a railcar off it's tracks!

But, oh, isn't it just so-o-o-o romantic?

And, yeah---I like those "Road Warrior" wheels, too! Great for deflecting arrows, and slingshots...!

Unknown said...

Wow! I've never seen anything like that before. Pretty fancy wheels.

Janet said...

Beautiful but I wonder how comfortable it would be!!

Katney said...

A delight as always!

Max-e said...

David I think you should have put this one under "B" as the "Bling Wagon" :)

Amrita said...

really good David, looks like a religious charriot. Too bad Mrs A was not with you . Both of you could have had a ride like a god and goddess.

Tom said...

Beautiful

Daryl said...

somehow I missed stopping by yesterday ..those hubcaps are da bomb!

Andrea said...

That is the fanciest Chariot I have ever seen. Beautiful

suchsimplepleasures said...

when i was in lisbon, i visited a museum that housed all sorts of old carriages...some plain and some exceptionally ornate! that just reminded me of my visit!!

Sandy Kessler said...

one of A KIND

WomanHonorThyself said...

Ornate is an understatement!.I want a ride in that thang!:)

Unknown said...

Wow, this one got a lot of comments! The turd degree! HAHAHA! When I first saw that, I thought maybe it was made out of aluminum. :-)

Paulie said...

WOW! beautiful entry for C -- not much CHANCE I would see a chariot here.

D... said...

How fun it would be to take a ride in that beautiful carriage.