Onward to India
Trip Start
Sep 17, 2005
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Trip End
Oct 12, 2005
Jaipur, India
Friday, September 30, 2005
We were met by Kuoni (just us for the mini bus) and we were bombarded with people wanting desperately to help carry our bags, and we didn't seem to have any choice ! there were people trying to take the bags to the bus, those just walking along trying to help those taking the bags to the bus, and of course there were those that just came along, did nothing and still put thier hand out in the hope they woule get some money.
The drive through Delhi is like nothing we have ever experienced, it was more like a game of chicken ! any road rules you might consider normal just do not apply, why have 3 lanes of traffic on a 3 lane road, when you could have 26 lanes !! I exaggerate to make a point. It took us about 90 minutes to get to our hotel, and I would have to say it was the longest thrill ride in the World !
We got into our hotel, had a very large drink, and contemplated life and how precious it is (everywhere except here)...we now know what a frightened rabbit caught in headlights feels like (sorry danny/kate to pinch your line but it sums up exactly how you feel).
After a good nights rest we started the tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and the palace of Samode somewhere between the last 2 places.....we were excited about the trip if not the roads, but after a few hours you settle in to the routine of travelling and admiring the skills of your driver.
We visited Agra with the red Fort on the river, and of course, we all loved our visit to the Taj Mahal (truly an incredibly amazing place).
Then on to Jaipur, with the pink city, Amber palace, elephant rides, jeep safaris, and of course rickshaw rides. We did a walking tour around the old city, the sights, smells, sounds, noise, volume of people, extreme beauty and of course extreme poverty were overwhelming....every, and in everyway, your senses were being assualted and indeed your sensitivities about the unfairness of the World.
It was certainly one of the highlights of the whole trip.
We ended by staying at a Maharajah's palace in the mountains, all we can say is WOW....they lived a very decent life.
India is one of those places where a short tour can only ever be a short glimpse of life in such an incredible country....you will either love it or hate it, but you will never forget it.
Must come back again....and we will.
