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Trip Start Jan 16, 2011 Previous
Entry Trip End Aug 08, 2011 Next
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  Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Thursday, January 20, 2011

After Agra we drove to Jaipur on Day 3.

One the way we had to stop once for David to be sick. Our
nice driver Nazender even went behind the tree with David to rub his back while
he was being sick.



After a 5 hour drive through the countryside and many
villages we made it to Jaipur. The journey was pleasant as the sunshine was out
in full force and there was plenty to see on the way. Everything from camels
towing carts, people washing themselves on the side of the road, women working
in the fields in their colourful Saris and little boys charming Cobra snakes at
the roadside restaurants for the tourists.



After arriving in Jaipur we went straight to the hotel to
check in and freshen up. The driver wanted to drive us round Jaipur later but
we decided to stay at the hotel in the afternoon as David was sick once more
and diarrhoea also kicked in.



In the evening I had a meal for one at the hotel restaurant
which was well nice. I am getting a real taste for spicy curry already but how
long will it be until I have to put the toilet roll in the fridge? So far so
good but I have probably just jinxed it!!



After the first proper hot shower in India and a good night's
sleep in the first comfortable bed we woke up to the alarm. It was time to
investigate Jaipur. We had a full day planned with the driver to visit the
famous sights of the city. I managed to convince David to come to breakfast
with me. He just about got through a slice of toast when he had to shoot off back
to the room for the toilet…So he decided to stay at the hotel for the day. I
definitely didn’t want to miss out on Jaipur and so I went off with the driver
on a little adventure by myself.



We drove straight to Amber Fort which is set in a beautiful
landscape complete with mountains and river. My hands were glued to the camera
as I couldn’t get enough photos of this gorgeous place. I got dropped off and
up I went the many many many stairs up to the top to get to the palace. On the
way up I joined goats, dogs, elephants and a few street vendors. To get up to
the palace you can choose to go by elephant but I preferred to walk it. All the
American tourists chose the elephants and they were going up in convoy. It was
cool to watch but I got more of a kick out of the whole thing by walking next
to the elephants. They were massive and yet seemed so gentle! At one point I
was walking so close that when the elephant flapped its ear above my head I
felt a gust of air blow through my hair. It put a huge smile on my face.



Made it to the top, out of breath and wheezing like an
asthmatic Darth Vader to find a massive courtyard. This is where the tourists
got dropped off by the elephants. It was pretty funny to watch and it was a
good moment or excuse to catch my breath!



First I went into the temple where I rung a massive bell and
then got given a Hindu blessing. I had my very own bright red Bhindi spot on my
forehead. The priest wished me good luck and good health and I was moved by the
atmosphere in there. It was very calm and quiet as there was nobody else in the
room. I am not a religious person but there is just something so lovely about
someone wishing you well and being sincere.



Then I moved on around the palace and the view from up there
is stunning! I took so many photos of the view and the detail on the palace as
I really wished David was there to see what I was seeing. I think he got a
pretty good idea of the place when I showed it all to him as soon as I got back
to the hotel.



After Amber Fort the driver took me to a textile factory and
I got talked into buying a pashmina. Although the man wanted me to buy bed sets
and table cloths…I went for a cheaper option. Being a sales person myself I can
say he was a damn good sales person himself! They showed me so many beautiful
fabrics and I wished I could have taken them all but I kept telling the man
that my boyfriend would kill me if I’d spend that much money…



Up the road from there is the Elephant temple which is set
on another big hill so the only way to get up there is by foot. Hundreds of
steps. The driver joined me on the walk up and we both had to keep stopping as
he was just as fit as me but we did have a good old chat. He told me about his
family back home and talked about all sorts which was really nice. We made it
quite far up before a man coming down told us the temple was shut! Grrrrr… well
it was damn good workout anyway and the view from up there was spectacular so I
got more photos out of it so it was all cool.



The jewellery factory was next and yet again I came out of
there with 2 beaded bracelets. They tried to sell me Ruby stones and Sapphire
stones but the budget does not allow for such luxuries…



Next stop for a quick visit was the water palace which is on
a man-made lake, another lunch meal for 1 and then we were off to visit the
Pink City in Jaipur. This is a part of the city that was painted in pink
because the king decided that it would be more of a welcoming colour for Prince
Albert’s visit. It’s fascinating and all the buildings are indeed pink!



The Observatory and the City Palace were last.



Back we went to the hotel and I was finally back with David
who was still in the same position in bed. His bum was still in tatters but we
went to buy some bananas at the local market to try and get some solids back in
his stomach. We went on a proper rickshaw together for the first time. Poor guy
peddling away was only skinny too and we both felt so bad for being such heavy
heifers so we gave him a tip on top of his fare.



I convinced Dave to come and have dinner with me as this was
included in our tour price. The restaurant was a BBQ place where each table has
a BBQ in the middle and you baste and cook your own food (veg and meat and
fish). During dinner David ran off to the loo 3 times bless him but he managed
to eat a little bit. The part he enjoyed the most was the vanilla ice cream at
the end. Whether that was a wise choice, we shall find out tomorrow…at least he
really enjoyed it after 2 days of hardly any food at all.



Off to have our last night in Jaipur before we take a 3 hour
drive to Pushkar in the morning.



Next blog to follow soon…



Lots of love and spicy kisses from
us xxx                                                                

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