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Hi everyone, sorry its been so long again!!
Since we last wrote in Goa (baga beach) where i decided against all objections to try the meat (i hadn't had any in two weeks) where a chicken sizzler was on the menu, which i'd just seen served to another foreigner. It was delicious but 12hrs later at 4am one had the bowl movements of an errupting volcano and a combined earthquake measuring 6.5 on the richter scale. It kept me occupied for around 24hrs which from the stories i hear is a quick recovery time.
13th June
We hired another bike after i recovered from my 'episode' and took a drive to Anjuna beach where the big Goa beach parties happen when in season, which unfortunately we missed by 1 month - can't have it all. We probably would not have found our beach hut for around 3.5 a night in the busy season so it's ok we missed the parties and "my music" as Beca calls it although she is coming round to liking some of it.
14th June
We take the crazy smell train to Bombay (Mumbai). I don't think there is any heath and safety any where in India - i'm just hanging out one of the many open doors on the train catching flies with my teeth with no quams from the ticket inspector as he asks to see our tickets.
We arrive in Bombay 2hrs late (its the norm) at 11pm. I found if you take the proposed travel time by any form and at 1/4 to a 3rd you'll be a little closer to the 'real' arrival time. It took us another 2hrs to find a decent guest house/hotel, all the ones we initially looked at appeared to have had quests with stomach problems (like mine in Goa) the smell and the colours of the walls told a story. We finally found a shoe box room charging 1200rups (15) which for what we'd been paying is extortionate by comparison.
15th June
Wondering the streets of Bombay being hassled by the locals to buy their tat and rip off the foreigners (it did happen) when we were just about to tell the last person a polite no (before she'd even spoken a word) asked us if we'd like to be in a Bolloywood movie. Of course we said yes and the next day we were picked up by coach and taken to the studios to become extras in a new film called 'Kidnap' starring one of Bollywoods biggest stars Sanjay Dutt! The whole day lasted 17hrs, we were paid 1000rupees (13) and meals included through out the day.
17th June
We caught a train to our next destination Amadabad which i'll spend no time writing about, the people were unfriendly and rude.
18th June
A quick move onto Udaipore and another bike hire for two days to fully explore the area. We visit Monsoon Palace built by Maharana Sajjan Singh in 1884. Its perched high up on the mountain overlooking Udaipore just outside town. Beca was a little frightened of the winedy road up there, the road, very narrow had no proper side railings. Once we reached the platau the views were amazing towering over the whole town.
Also on the agender; City Palace, waterfountain city (where the fountains work gravity) and just a general look around the place on our bike.
The scorching hot afternoons were spent by the pool at our fantastic hotel with our new friends the tortoises for company. We stayed in the Maharaja Suite - now that might sound like a pricey affair but due to it being off season we picked that little beautie up for 600 rupees (7.5) per night and decided to treat ourselves after the holes we'd been staying in.
21st June
Another bus ride, this time to Ajmer and then the "oh my god we're going to die bus" to Pushkar.
Pushkar is the town of holy lake devoted to the hindu god Brahma. You are approached by a 'preist' and presented with a flower. If you take this flower he quickly tries to usher you down to the lake and toss the flower in the water which will then bring the people of Pushkar and your family good luck. For this he askes for an extorsionate donation (10) by their standards which of course they pocket. A lot of people are fooled by these so called 'preists' of the lake but we were made aware of the goings on and repeatedly declined the flower offerings. Instead we aquired our own and found an unmanned entrance to the lake and placed our flower in the murkey water. The lake some what dissapointing considering its holyness with a colour reminiscent of fluorescent green and garbage all around with people swimming in it.
Back to our bus journey.
Packed in the bus like beans in a tin we head off for Pushkar up some very winedy, narrow and bumpy roads up through the mountains. I look over to see Beca not impressed with the huge Indian lady trying to shuffle her 'other' arse cheek on our very cramped seat. We descend the other side of the mountain and the view is lovely of the town below. I say to Becs "take a look down" but shes a little scared of the roads lack of siderailings and the cliff face below. Monkeys greet us at the bottom their bums, willes or nipples all hang out (a bit like the locals really) as we pass by.
Destination reached where we spend 2 days. No sooner do we dissembark the bus where a local is coaxing us to a hotel. We decide to go with it and he takes us to the 'white house' - infortunately thats where the similarites end. The guesthouse was clean, fairly spacious and the cheapest we's stayed in at just 150 rupees (1.9)
22 June
After our nights rest we head off for breakfast. Another bike hire to have a look round the place. I was very close to hiring a Royal Enfield Bullet (classic british bike) but the brakes were not very good so I quickly declined and chose another. Due to the scorchio temperatures we looked for a hotel with swimming pool and spend the early afternoon dipping in and out and bathing in the sun. The afternoon is spent looking around Brahma temple, Pushkar Palace, the local markets, and the temple on the moutain (i forget the name) which has a great sunset we're told. The temple took 45mins for me to climb, Becs got tired half way up so I decided to continue for the views i'd been promised. Once up there I could see for miles around in all directions and my friends the monkeys joined me. Celerbrations were taking place in town, I could hear the drums in the distance, then the sun began to set - perfect.
23rd June
We wave good bye to the monkeys and head back to Ajmer for our bus to Jaipur.
Another 6hrs journey and we arrive at the pink city. We find a newly built guesthouse called 'Blue King' a little family run place and what great people they are. The mum makes a fantastic masala chai (the best tea in the world) a mix of tea fresh ground ginger, cloves and cardomon with lots of sugar. I'd been having about 50 cups a day, one was becoming quite the connoisseur.
24th June
We spend the day looking around the pink palace (not so pink anymore but still nice to look around even though the foreigners are charged 900% more), zoo where Becs and I feel like the main attractions, a bird sanctuary which felt more like a culling shop than a "sanctuary" still it was free entry in conjuntion with our Zoo ticket. The Albert Hall (museum) from the outside (closed on Sundays) and the Amber fort where I fed the wild Monkeys.
25th June
On to Agra for 1 day to see the Taj Mahal the next morning.
26th June
A very early 5am start to see the sun rise over the Taj Mahal (which turned out to be overcast) and into our rickshaw. Again extremley high charges for foreigners 750 rupees (9.8) compared to just 20 for locals. Now i appreciate that we earn more in the UK but to charge over 3000% more I felt sexually violated - It would have cost me less! We paid the money and what a great sight it was, although I had it pictured a lot bigger.
We also see the front doors of the Red fort. Our guide book says if you have brought a Taj ticket you can gain entry to the red fort for an extra 50 rupees. When we arrive at the red fort thats shot up to 250 per person.
A quick look round the obligitory shops at gems, marble and silks and on to collect our train tickets. As we arrive at the train station there is alot of commotion and we wonder whats going on. A swarm of people a gathered round a man a repeatedly beating him round the face. We find out hes a pick-pocket and this is normal. At the centre of it all is a policeman holding the man by the scruff of the neck while people all take their turn in slapping him. I actually felt sorry for the accused in the end.
Another late train arrival in Dehli but we find a nice hotel near the train station and pitch camp for our last 2 days in India.
27th June
We decide to spend the penultimate day with some retail therapy around Connaught circle. Becs and I brought 4 t-shirts and 1 pair of cargo bottoms - grand total 11pounds.
28th June
The last day we hired another rickshaw for our last two hours to show us the main sights. On the list, India Gate (a shrine to all those killed in the wars), parliment house, Gandi Museum (which was actually the house where he died) and again the obligatory shop viewing in the hope of parting you from you cash. Of course "cheap price for you" and "special customer" are the words uttered from the shops many attendants trying to separate the two of us to make their sales pitches and convince us to buy. We leave empty handed and on to our hotel to collect our bags and head to the airport for our next destination Japan.
Love to all. xx
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