Jaipur

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Another full day. Jaipur is home of some of the maharajas of India. Their immense castles have survived more than some others in India because they made friends with who ever conquered them, including the Monguls and the British. Amazing wealth!!

In the morning we saw the Wind Castle and the Vedic Observatory. The observatory was built 280 yrs ago and has 18 instruments or yantras, half of them are for astronomical and half for astrological measurement. very interesting. Also did some snake charming and went to a rug factory making oriental or in this case Indian rugs. Went through a museum displaying clothes, history and artifacts of all the past maharajas of Rajastan.

The afternoon was spent touring more of the castles in the area. We finished off the evening at a local restaurant. You can tell its not a tourist restaurant when nothing, including the restaurant name is in English.... very good. BTW: Yesterday evening a went up to check out the pool and there was a Ayurvedic spa on the top floor, giving full panchakarma treatments.

Today we drive to Agra....

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Photos

more snake charmers
The cobras are real. I went first and didn't know they were defanged. My fellow travellers caught on quickly and were actually touching the snakes.
Later in the day we saw another snake charmer where the snakes were not defanged.

sundial in observatory gardens
Largest sundial in the world, with 2 second accuracy. Try putting this on your wrist.

dinner at local restaurant
Great Rajastan local restaurant. ... some of the thali entrees were a bit spicy. This is our group except for Tory. She stayed at the hotel to get an Ayurvedic message.

Comments

[Linda Gauvin]

Good food and PK
Gees, what a life. Good Indian food and PK too. Looks like you have a nice group of companions. There seem to be a never ending array of castles and cows. How cool is that? The weather here now is in the 60s! 2 weeks ago we had a blizzard. This is too much like Milwaukee. I don't think I like this climate anymore. Looks like you are getting lots of exercise. And your pics are great. Keep sending pics of you and your group too. You snake charmer you... Namaste

[Janet]

It looks like you are having a great time. The Wind Castle is fabulous. I love the architecture. Snake charming....you have lost your mind. Did you get a shot for that? Don't even think about bringing home one of those cobras and baskets. You will be driving by yourself......Glad you are enjoying. Pictures are beautiful. I love the picture of the ladies. Great shot..Take care.