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Published: January 4th 2007
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31st December 2006, Ranthambore National Park
This day we did a safari of the park. It was truly stunning, with dramatic cliff faces and blue-green lakes and all kinds of animals, such as spotted and samba deer, crocodiles, tigers (although we didn't see any!) and lots more. Of course because it's Incredible India - dotted amongst the park were many crumbling relics of bygone eras, including a 10th century fort! It was just incredible and I would definitely recommend doing it if you ever get the chance!
We were also ambushed by a family of monkeys - Dada monkey jumped into our safari jeep and tried to attack us. It was kind of funny and scary at the same time.
Another highlight of the day was Cliff dropping his lens cap off the side of the jeep and stopping all 20 of us on the jeep to go back and pick it up. About two hours later he dropped his bird watching book off the side of the jeep and was so embarrassed he decided to cope with its loss, until Lauren stopped the bus. Heh heh!
I also couldn't help wondering what kind of pathetic little
Jaipur
This is a street view of the pink city taken from the Hawa Mahal, or wind palace, which was built for the king's queens so that the could watch the street activity (they were not allowed on the street itself). men would ever hunt deer - they are so docile and curious that they often walk up to you, and even if the don't walk up to you they are incredibly easy to spot.
New Years Eve consisted of the young boys on the hotel staff blaring Bollywood music on their monster-speakers well beyond the point of distortion. It was cranked well beyond the pain threshold even as we ate dinner at 7pm. Citing cultural differences I went to bed.
1st January 2007, Bundi
We took a truly spectacular drive from Ranthambore to Bundi. Mustard crops filled the landscape for miles and miles as far as the eye could see. Dotted amongst the mustard fields were crumbling ruins of days gone by. It was just more beautiful than I have the talent to describe. In some cases the centuries-old ruins were still inhabited.
The people were also incredibly beautiful inside and out, with their bedazzling fluoresecent green and pink saris and turbans that make your eyes hurt. Because we were very far from any kind of beaten track the villagers were just astonished by our presence. At one point when we had a toilet stop, dozens
Pensive Monkey
Dada monkey was having a good think and a look around at the entrance to Ranthambore national park. of young boys crowded around outside the car window and the proceeded to follow us around.
Once we were in wonderful Bundi we decided to take a walk around town. A semi-professional volleyball match was being held in a field and we quickly became the guests of honour - and, in keeping with the unbelievably generous Indian spirit, we found the game officials in suits giving us the few under cover seats and bringing us hot chai. I thought to myself this is truly an Indian experience: as we sipped hot chai and watched the sun set behind a Hindu temple and listened to distored Bollywood music. It was cool!
2nd January 2007, Bundi
In the morning we visited the stunning Bundi palace - and no, I'm not palaced out at all yet, they're all so amazing! Bundi palace is unique amongst the palaces we have visited because it was actually maintained in its original state until around 40 years ago. This means that many of the paintings, murals and mirrors are still intact, giving a real insight into how the palace really looked a few hundred years ago. In addition, there were truly beautiful views of
Relics in the Wild
Yep, nature was here first and nature will be here last. the very blue old city (all buildings painted blue) from the upper levels. Wow, would definitely recommend getting off the golden triangle and visiting this palace if you are planning a trip to India!
Afterwards, the four of us strolled around the truly amazing centuries-old city. We befriended a little girl and her family. She read my palm and apparently I am having five children! We visited her tiny family home where her mother was ironing western shirts for a nearby hotel.
In the afternoon the four of us went kite flying in a local school ground, which we had to climb through the local rubbish tip to get to. We got them going pretty well. We attracted quite a crowd, including a naughty little gypsy girl who kept trying to pickpicket us and snapped our kite strings at any opportunity. Although she could have been no older than nine or ten, her adult teeth were already blackened.
3rd January 2007, Bijaipur
In the morning we caught the very local train from Bundi to Bijaipur: it was a great experience.
At the train station we observed yet another of India's odd equilibriums. A herd of
Sunset Deer
This photo was taken in the magnificent Ranthambore park (as was the previous photo). cows started wandering all over the train tracks to eat the paper cups there. Us Westerners were getting a bit anxious as we knew that the train was already late and due any moment. Instead of worrying about the cows, we occupied ourselves playing with all the station's stray dogs.
All of a sudden amidst all the fun, the dogs looked up and started barking to one another. Then, seemingly viciously, they jumped onto the tracks and started snapping at the heels of the slow-moving herd. They nipped their hind legs and barked viciously until all the cows were off the tracks. Although we couldn't hear the train yet, I was certain now that the train would be coming. Sure enough, within seconds, we heard a distant horn. A few minutes later than train pulled into the station.
A few hours later we arrived at our breath-taking accommodation: the old Bijaipur castle, stunningly renovated and including a pool. After lunch we took a village visit, which was really so lovely and the colours of this place never cease to amaze me. Andrew passed on the village visit because he was quote "sick of people" and went on a
Volleyball, Bundi
As you can see we were attracting more attention than the game! horseride, which I hear he also loved.
Because we were so exhausted from our super tough day, Andrew had a facial and a pedicure, and I had a facial and a massage.
At night Andrew and I took advantage of the 80 rupee Bacardi breezers, which normally disgust me at home but I was trying to compensate for our crappy New Year's. I think I may have overcompensated because at some stage I decided it would be sensible to swim in the pool when it was 15 degrees outside. The good news is the water was warmer than the air and I took the opportunity to brush up on my breast stroke.
Pooped from all the effort of not drowning I went back to my room and had a beautiful hot shower and then quickly feel asleep! Andrew played table tennis until midnight.
4th January 2006, Pushkar
Well, after some very long jeep rides, we finally arrived in amazing Pushkar!! Pushkar is incredible. It is a very holy city in Hinduism and the very old city is set about a beautiful lake. The city is lovely and quiet today.
But, more importantly, Intrepid has
Dentist in Bundi
Wow, I don't know what is scarier, the pliers or the pre-used dentures. outdone itself on our hotel! While the others have been amazing, this one is just so cool! It is a brand new hotel but is built from intricately carved red sandstone in the old palatial style and is billed by the Lonely Planet as Pushkar's finest hotel. Our room has a king-size palatial bed, a stainless steel minibar, a gigantic free standing bath, a red sandstone balcony, a makeup mirror and hairdryer, flat/widescreen TV, separate lounge/study, wooden / handcarved furniture, scales (still 50kgs!), custom-made ceramic tissue holder, beautiful artwork and massive drawing rooms on every level!! Soooo cool. Yay!
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