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Annoyingly I got woken up by the over eager guy in reception asking to have a look at my iPhone 4s again, we reached a stalemate yesterday as he offered me £135, I'm holding out for £140+
After a few rounds of toast I met my driver for the day, Khan and I head off in his affectionately named rickshaw - "Ferrari Roché". First stop, The Royal Albert Museum. A small museum, better kept than the previous places I have visited in Udaipur, with a few interesting artefacts and coins From 4th century BC! It took about 30 minutes in total and I left to meet the awaiting Khan, he sat chatting to a friend of his. I joined and engaged in casual chit chat about who I was and where I was going.
Then all of a sudden khan prodded me laughing, gesturing to look across the road. A man was running, trousers half down with a motorcycle helmet in his hand. He had stopped for the little boys room (a bush) and foolishly left his bike over 100 yards away on the road. A flatbed truck with about 8 guys seized the opportunity and they literally threw his bike on the back along with about 15 other expensive and shiny bikes. Quite a lucrative day they were having. Strangely he caught up with the shady characters but did nothing but wave frantically, in reply they shrugged as if to say "soz mate, you know how it is" and drove off! I bet that's the most expensive piss he's ever had. An intriguing insight into lawless India! I explained to Khan there would be no way 8 scrawny teenagers would take my bike without a damn good fight, and if you tried to do it in a city centre like Birmingham or London you would risk getting stabbed!
Next stop the famous Amber Fort. Previously lived in by the Rajput Maharajas and their families.
I left Khan at he bottom of the hill and started the steep climb up the endless tiers of steps, it was incredibly hot. Too hot to be traipsing up a mountain but I refused to take the cruel elephant ride as a matter of principle. By the time I reached the half way point the sweat was dripping off my forehead and my top was soaked through! I passed others exactly the same. I am on the edge of the desert after all.
Once at the top and after paying the entrance fee I ventured even further up more steps to the main part of the fort. Complex carvings and sculptures donned the walls, embellished with intricate mirrored tiles and mosaics. I spent a bit of time today to get some decent pictures and get a bit 'arty'. India runs at such a speed and is so frantic it's often easy to miss all sorts of great photo opportunities as you inevitably get wrapped up in the chaotic whirlwind!
It was a pleasurable place and incredibly impressive but I struggled to relax for the baking heat. I shook my head like an excited Labrador and sweat just flew everywhere - I'd had enough! I retreated slowly down the steep mountain side stopping occasionally to take photos and observe the stunning views. Khan then took me to 'Water Palace' - the home of a distant king and queen of Jaipur. It sat on an extremely filthy lake a wash with plastic bottles and stray dogs scrounging through the pungent smelling sewage! They were diseased and riddled with open wounds and scars. India is merciless. I soon headed off back to the guesthouse, stopping briefly at a jewellers just to have a gander.
After a couple of hours relaxing I visited a restaurant called Four Seasons, somehow I don't think it is part of the lavish international chain with a portfolio of some of the worlds most desirable 5 star hotels, but the schezuan rice was quite nice, as was the pot of tea.
An early night again tonight as tomorrow I move on to Agra and the
iconic Taj Mahal! I am some what excited to say the least. I had initially planned to visit the Taj on Friday but found out today that's the only day it is closed, thankfully I should have time to catch the Taj at sunset.
All being well tomorrow should be magical.
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