Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Cor, well since i was last on the computer we've done a scarey 6 hour bus ride... which was freeeezing & absoluetly crazy, spent two days in Jodpur, have had the pleasure of another bus ride, slightly longer & more beautiful (& typically wrapped up warm, only to find that it was boiling hot!!) & spent two days in Udaipur - the most 'romantic city' in India.
After our early rise, me and mum sat in the front & not too sure if that was a good idea or not!! They like to play chicken with each other & thankfully as we were mostly bigger than the other vehicles they moved out the way, we were still thrown around the bus and had a couple of close calls, where even the locals screamed a litlle!!
All good fun tho & it seems mad that we've been able to fit so much into our days. We arrived in Jodpur, just before 12 & what a contrast from Jaisalmer, it seemed really busy (although Jaisalmer wasn't quiet!!) & extremely dirty & dusty!
Our hotel, as our guide said, 'was the most beautiful of our stay on the roam India tour' & true to his word he was!! Wish I knew how to use a computer to upload the photo's so you can see. Gonna try again after I've written this... Got some wicked photos.
After our journey, Perry, our guide had arranged for us to see the fort that stood high above the town, but tired from the journey & happy to be in a beautiful surrounding, me, mum & Lorna thought it best to sit on our private terrace, in the sun (the weather had changed dramatically & was georgeously warm!!!) & drink a chilled bottle of wine ;-) he he, yep I said, sunshine, terrance & chilled wine!!!
We 'killed' a few hours, quickly got ready & met with the group & Perry took us to his cousins restaurant (they're all related over here). A good meal & a plan tomorrow of safari to the Bisnoi tribal villages- which turned out to be a lovely experience.
We had chai made with milk, fresh from the cow & experienced the opium ceremony... both me & mum tried it!! I even tried on the traditional dress, ha looked a wee bit silly!! We also got taught how to wrap a turban, que pictures of both mum & i in a turban... when in Rome, as they say!!! Mum & I then did the fort by ourselves & seemed like the only people to get lost...even following the audio tour!!!
We then braved it into the centre, where it was packed with stools & ladies selling bangles (yep have loads of them!!) Spices, material & anything else you can think of. One thing we did realise was that they give exactly the same talk, word for word, so you don't know who to believe!! There were lots of beggars here, & one little local boy saved us from a pickpocket... or so he says, because we felt he'd done a good deed we went to his 'uncles' stool & brought some spices!!!
We know now not to trust anybody & to barter like crazy to get the price you want... I've had lots of practise at this now!! Today at Udaipur (after another mad, but beautiful bus ride) I managed to get a bangle, trousers & tapestry for about 1000 rupes less than they wanted!!!
Yesterday we went to our guides house, here in Udaipur, we had chai with the lady of his house & what a strong focused women she was... very inspirational!! A great experience, we got to see the way they live for real & he was very proud that we were in his home!! We then looked around the old town, where we decided we'd have to shop!! Then went to the most pictuesque resturant... it really is a romantic place here, & can say that it is on my list to come back to. Its definately not as mad as Jodphur, and of course there are still beggars but they're not as pushy.
That said I was happy to have a chilled day today, up early but a day spent drinkling lots of coffee & shopping... yum my favourite!! & now I know how to barter all the better! We did have a small tour from our rickshaw driver, whom took us to a lake called tiger lake and wow, rolling hills & mountains in the backdrop, beautiful stone work surrounding a lake... & the sunshining...yummy, got some photos that should make you jealous!!
Anyways, after saying that the food was amazing (which it still is) but yep bored of eating curries now!! Im not gonna tempt fate, so enough said on the matter... mum after a few days was back to normal, which is good. We're gonna have wine & a pizza, chilling in the room now, can't wait!!! Most probably be some spices in there... even the tomato ketchup is spicey!!
Speak soon xx
Ps Lovely to hear from everyone, of course shall be at matter... & yes will have some holy water, special from india...wow!!! Ha!
Keels will ya tell Rhys to look at this site, forgot to tell him address & get Ross to look also!! Love ya x
- comments
Kathleen Hi Philippa...I thought I would check into your site ! Boy have you two been busy, every thing sounds so exciting. I will get my own site up and ready for my travels at the end of the month. I will check in now and then and watch your journey...Have a great time and enjoy your special time with your Mum. Much Luv Kathleenx
a karen sounds brill y can i not c photos what am i doing wrong philpa
keely Wow sounds amaizing! Hmmm I can just picture it now-Mum in a turban..........Love ya Mum :-) I got your back prinny, I've told everyone-the girls,Ross,Rhys,Mick Auntie Val and anyone that wants to listen...can't wait to see photo's x x