Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Helloooo, Finally have some internet access that seems to work! Probably shouldn't speak too soon! Cheers for leaving messages for me and Wennie, thanks for correcting my spelling mistake. I knew it wasn't right but couldn't think of "Sikh".
Anyway, there is so much to fill you all in on! Since my last entry we have been to Agra, Chanderi, Orchha and today we have arrived in Khajuraho. This week has felt like its taken months but each day seems to fly by. Very much adapted to Indian life now and don't feel vulnreable like i did a bit in Delhi. People on our tour are all nice with the slight exception of Uwa - a German man (older) who is so unbelievably arrogant and rude that he is an embarrasment. There's a lovely 'salt of the earth' older couple from Australia and they seem to have taken us all under their wing!
I will put some of my own photos on here as soon as i can. There is a card reader here so if i get a chance in the morning i'll upload some then.
Agra - The day we went to Agra we were up at 5am. Took a train and was pretty impressed. We had allocated seats and everything. Some of the sights we saw from the rainway track were just fascinating. Lines of people were squatting on the edge of the track. Makeshift settlements set foot along the railway and even in vast open space there were always people about. We arrived in Agra in soaring heat. As we stood waiting for taxi's, i suddenly felt an unexpected tap on my leg. It was a beggar with no legs sat at my feet and i found this one of the most shocking things so far. We arrived at our hotel on the road to the gates of the Taj Mahal. The hotel was pretty grande and Sara and i had the biggest room! After a short rest we were back in our autorickshaw taxis and heading to the Red Fort. The sheer size of the fort was amazing and we had a local tour guide to show us around. He called me daughter for some strange reason. Everywhere we go we get so much attention from people to the extent that they all want their photo's taken with us. In the afternoon we visited the Taj - it is a breath taking experience but i just got a bit fed up with the crowds of people. The inside was disappointing because we were there just before sunset and it was dark inside. When we took photos people actually gathered round to watch and i got bombarded by a load of people wanting their photos with me.
Chanderi - The day we went here my alarm went off at 6.45 (check out these early starts!!) I planned to get up as we were leaving hotel at 8.30! Somehow i fell back to sleep and woke again at 8.15. Woke Sara with a start and we rushed about like crazy. We took taxi's to the station to catch our train. The train journey was a nasty one. Beggars kept pestering, workers kept yelling CHAI CHAI (tea) up and down the carriages and i was very sick. Plus it was meant to be a 5 hour journey which ended up being 8 and when we arrived we had an hour and a half jeep journey to the town. Felt pretty rough after all that and seemed to take ages to pick up after being sick! The jeep took us down bumpy tracks and we finally arrived at our 'basic hotel' and my god was it basic! We met our local guide called calla bai and what a lovely man he was! That evening we went to his family home for a meal. His daughter gave me a henna hand painting and the hospitality was lovely. We spent the next day exploring the town and everyone were really friendly. We even had a quick game of cricket in the street. The highlight was visiting a local school - was an emotional one as the children were so gorgeous and sang us songs! Oh, other high light was being dresses in a sari! Though i tour guide - Ajit told me he wanted to marry me which was a little scary!
Orchha - Lovely place, stayed in very luxury Swiss style tents which were like hotel rooms inside. The place was a resort with a pool and used the last couple of days to chill. Though we did visit some temples (surprise surprise) and had a classic 'river rafting' trip. The river was pretty slow flowing but there were rapids in patches. We stopped on a little beach on the way down and found shells and skimmed stones etc. Bit further down we swam in the river and getting back onto the raft was a giggle!! Had a very spicey meal at a little family restaurant last night and when i woke up this morning my throat was burning! The town had some BIG marriage fest going on and the streets were filled with lots of vibrant colour (can't wait to show you piccies)
Khajuraho - arrived here today by jeep - 4 hour journey! I was squished in the front next to Ajit, the tour guide and you know when you sleep in a car, your head ends up flopping about, so i kept waking up. Had a nice lunch when we arrived! ...and this afternoon we visited some very erotic karma sutra temples! Our local tour guide for this was hilarious. Seems strange that from the statues from 1000 years ago India seems wholly different in its attitudes to women now. Despite the heat, we are all in trousers and long tops as no knees or shoulders should be seen! Got free time tonight and tomorrow morning before moving to Panna National Park around lunch time.
Love to hear from you, hope all is ok back at home. xx
- comments