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So, thought I should elaborate a little more on yesterday, as some other things did happen other than the tiger, tiger, tiger.......
Also on safari, we did see some jackal, one with a cub, 2 different types of vulture and a mongoose. We also passed the most amazing painted temple, which was set in the side of a mountain leading up to the safari park.
After arriving back and checking out of the hotel, we embarked on a 5 hour journey to Jaipur. It was fantastic! iPod on, camera at the ready, few quick snoozes and a packed lunch. So interesting to see the changing scenery and different towns and villages on the way. I haven't mentioned it before now, but the colours everywhere in India are beautiful. Be it the saris, which are decorated in jewels and every colour you can imagine, to the trucks (most are decorated in vibrant greens, blues and pinks), to the painted camels, to the umbrellas and clothing being sold at the front of shops. The landscape also changed vastly from rich grassland and trees to looking more like the African bush. Each town had something new to take a picture of (hence we are now up to circa 1500!!) Really enjoyable journey!!
On arriving we went through the new part of Jaipur, very westernised, saw my first Maccy D's and Levi's stores, then into the old part of the town to an old palace which was to be our hotel for the next 2 nights. The main building was pretty cool, as you would imagine from an old Royal Palace, elaborate decor, high ceilings, and tiger /leopard heads mounted on the walls.
Soon after arriving we ventured into the vegetable and spice markets in Old Jaipur. An experience not to be missed. Everywhere we went, people wanted to say hello, or stared, smiled and waved. A few came and listened to what Atik was telling us as he talked us through the temples and different Hindu gods (Honestly, I will need to buy "A Dummies Guide to Hinduism" when I get home - and yes I've checked, there is one, keep forgetting who's who and their stories, but all pretty fascinating). The spice market itself was an array of colours and the most amazing aromas of different spices (quite pleasant as a comparison to the smells I've gotten used to in the last 4 weeks). The hustle and bustle was like Oxford Street on Christmas Eve, but all shops selling similar items, not sure which were the Selfridges equivalent, and which were the Primark though!!
After our first real experience of crossing an Indian road (much like Nepal but a whole lot busier - think I've sussed how it's done now) we went out for a meal, driving past a huge cinema, which has the best sound system in India. Meal in itself was an experience, had chow mein (first time I have chosen Chinese over Indian, but nice to have a change from curry after 5 weeks) and got up to do a cultural dance, yes that's right, on my own, with 2 dancers, and hips that refused to move with any form of rhythm, but at least I gave it a go aye.....
Had one of the best nights sleep so far
- comments
yvonne smith Like the dance comment. Keep it up!!