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We left Leh very early Saturday to allow enough time to navigate the 5 separate security checks .... had my spare camera batteries confiscated!!! Not sure what they thought i would do with 4 AA Duracell's!! Flight from Leh no way as scary as coming in!! Reached Delhi in no time and our delightful driver Mr Satisfaction was waiting for us in a brand new people mover!!! Very impressive ... off we set for Agra ... only a couple of hours on the brand new freeway Jassa said ... but of course it's India and the new freeway is blocked by angry farmers - so the old road ... jammed all the way with every imaginable mode of transport then some!!
Finally we arrive at the Crystal Palace and were pleasantly surprised by our rooms, bathrooms and HOT water!!!
Off to the Red Fort, Baby Taj and view of sunset over Taj Mahal by tuk tuks! Crazy traffic .. Cows, monkeys, bullocks, horses, mental as anything ... All good - pretty hot though - our local guide banged on a bit too much but gave up on us in the end I think!!
Off to dinner at a roof top open restaurant under a huge tree...just beautiful. Best sleep - but up at 4.45am on a mission to be the first people at the Taj!! Almost made it - group of UK Rangers (girl guides) just beat us! They were obviously more prepared than us!!!
Taj was outstanding - didn't mind about seeing it again - its breathtaking!! Lots of photos .. missed those confiscated batteries!! Yes ... we all sat on the 'Princess Diana Seat' for one of those classic Taj photos!!! Lol!!!
Back to hotel for breakfast then a quiet trip to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri. - I hate this bloody place - its sooooo hot .... 45-50'C - all red brick, paving ... it's the hottest place on earth ... unbelievable ... I thought I was just going to turn into a puddle of water!! No Mr Khan this time - he didn't return Jassa's call ... maybe he knew that bored Aussie was on the trip again ... We lost Rosie and were delayed a little ... by the time we were all frantic and on the verge of heat exhaustion we found her and finally back on the road to Jaipur 3 hours India stretch time took about 5 hours to go about 130km!!
Shari and amused ourselves trying to take pictures of ladies wearing orange saris ... hilarious fun ... crap photos ... We were traveling too fast ..for India ... lots of tree shots and orange blurs!!
Finally reach our hotel ... Dera Rawatsar ... Omg .. It is beautiful ... the rooms amazing ... and it has a pool.... and Gin & Tonic ... we are happy Rustic Indian Travellers!!!
Dinner in the dining room was fantastic!!! What a great day!!
19/8 we set off to conquer the tourist highlights of the Pink City!! Our delightful local guide was waiting for us at our hotel ... he gave us a quick resume .. he guided Prince Charles twice ... turned his nose up at the mention of Camilla, (he preferred Diana) and he worked for the last Raj for 10 years) I'm guessing he would have be in his 70's - beautiful English and very charming. It's what we expected as we are traveling with Queen Rosie and Princess Shari after all!! First stop a world famous Lassi from the Lassi Wallah - served in clay pots .. it's a yogurt drink .. yes we could understand why he is world famous as we sipped the thick creamy curds!!! Hmmm
On to Palace of the Winds, Amber Fort - which has had lots of renovations happening since my last visit ... and elephants reintroduced to take tourists up the hill to the Fort. I know I will ride most things at least once ... but not these poor animals! Took lots of photos as they looked amazing .. but I don't agree with this treatment of them at all. So no rupees from me!!
Just as we arrived at the Observatory - the heavens open and the long awaited Monsoon began! Bucketing down isn't strong enough ... on to the City Palace and we were drowned in minutes!!! We ducked and weaver around .. a secret passage only our guide knew saved us from a few more bucket loads of rain ... great palace!
On now to drop off Jassa and the guide and commence another pilgrimage for me to Soma!! Lol!!! Today is Eid (end of Ramadan) so the streets are crazy with traffic, people, animals the odd parade (very colorful) and yes they are now all flooded as well!! We get tangled in a traffic jam .. grid lock ... but enough room for some one to move from the left and bang into the front of our brand new people mover!!! Lol!! It was only a scrape along the crash bar .. seriously no one could really move more than a few inches ... but there was a whole lot of screaming and our driver Mr Satisfaction certainly was getting no satisfaction!!! Lol!! On to Soma .. which had moved and caused a little delay .. but finally arrived in Soma heaven ... a bedspread, matching curtains, various pillow cases, table cloth, cutlery set, plate and a dress set me back less than A$85 ... yes I love Some - (kind of like Laura Ashley goes Indian)!!!
On to the market area Shari's on a mission for quilt covers ... down we go into the bowels of a shop near the Pink Palace .... it's a tiny room stacked high with Quilts, pillow cases, etc Shari is after a certain yellow cover .... fearing three tourists were about to die in a quilt Tsunami Shari settled on a nice dark silk set ...tried .. we were dragged into the next shop .. and sat again while almost every shade of yellow quilt in existence in Jaipur was bought to us ... but alas not the right shade ... no matter how many times we said yellow and no elephants ... the message was lost in translation ... we laughed heaps ... bought Saris ( not for me - Julie's!!) Exhausted Turk tuk back to prepare for our big night out!!
Quick dinner at a restaurant we went to last time ... once again despite the grubbiness the food is great and I'm ok today!!! We were off to see a brand new release Bollywood movie.. TIGER!! All the big names were in it!!! we had seats in the box sort of area so we could view the full show ... and I don't mean just the movie!! Before the lights even dimmed there was dancing, shouting, whistling from the mostly young men in the audience!! It was hilarious ... when the dancing on screen started some of the guys would jump on to the stage and dance along -- hilarious!!!! I love India - we are so boring in Australia!! The pure joy if these guys in a packed cinema was delightful to watch!!!!
Off to Pushkar today - new city for me!!!
- comments
Kenny Love it!....Would haved enjoyed the movie. Hope you enjoy Pushkar..Are you sure you don't want to join us in November?
Felix Very nice blog Jill and we are glad you are enjoying Rajasthan.. cheers.. see u all in Varanasi.