The girlies go gallavanting in jaipur!

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Jaipur is pink. The old city is made entirely out of pink sandstone and is a complex myriad of twisting alleyways, haggling bazaars and frantic traffic. We stayed at Jas Vilas a beautiful family home an oasis of calm in the madness which is Rajasthan's capital city.

Our first night we decided to splash out and for 60rs (80p ish) made our way in a tuk tuk to the most lavish hotel in Jaipur - The Rambagh palace. A large gorgeous colonial building lit up with fairy lights and with a fabulous restaurant with exquisite food. Once the Maharaja's palace it has been lovingly converted into a deluxe hotel. I had mushroom risotto and Ma had Goan prawn curry both of which were fantastic. (It makes a welcome change from backpacker food and hotels for me!!!)

The next day we went to The Amber Fort the main sight in Jaipur a maze of ruins and gardens suplemented by beatiful views unfortunately we went in the heat of the day and couldn't enjoy it to it's full potential. We went to a small heritage hotel called Samode Haveli for lunch - very tasty and reasonable buffet (and a beautuiful setting with such an ornate ceiling) to recover after our shopping spree.

Jaipur fully lived up to it's name as the shopping capital of Rajasthan as the next day we prooceded to buy lots and lots of shoes, notebooks and shawls (and a beautiful topaz ring for me!) oohh and a bag - very nice. The highlight of our trip was the haggling over a ornate bright pink bedspread (i'd seen one in goa for 400rs and fell inlove but didn't buy it for fear of the weight on the plane!) This one was initially ridiculously priced at 2700 and when i made it clear that i didn't want to buy it for anything more than 500 thats eventually, after much haggling, what i got it for! (eat your heart out dad! it's the genes coming through...)

We jumped on the train at two to go to Jodhpur. Ma has to have a special mention here for keeping her cool and guiding me through the train station whilst i was doubled over feeling like i was going to throw up....no food, little sleep and boiling heat...not good!

Eventually found our seats on the train after having been forced to negotiate the small corridors with a rather large wheelie bag....not to be recommended...especially past the hosing of the toilets....😞 We eventually found our seats and to our suprise they were bunks! Complete with curtains, light and sheets...I went on top - obviously and ma was stuck below we had a thin curtain veiling us from the corridor. Then followed a cacophony of chants - a la "who will buy in Oliver" with "chai coffe chai" samosa, pakora, samosa" and "chip, cake, cake" all from different men with different lilting indian voices - THROUGHOUT the 7 hour journey - it was delayed! Although we didn't notice because it was relatively comfy and we were having a ball! for any of you who were wondering - yes. we did hold our bladders for 7 hours.....😊

Now relaxing in splendour at Taj Hari Mahal in Jodhpur (cheap price on the internet -wooohoo!) Having a manicure and hair cut later (about time too you should see it - India has made it curly rats tails! plus in Dehra Dun i did try and have a rough hack at it - not a good look is all i can say.....Seeing Jodphur later will fill you guys in on it all! This is Katie and Karen in Jodhpur reporting for Travelblog.net and now back to the studio........

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Comments

[deleted_36477]

Hiiii
Dear Katie, This is Naveen from New Delhi and I really liked the message post by you. I would like to know if I can be your friend if yes then please answer me ok. In case of any problem you can send me an e-mail. Regards, Naveen Kumar

[Kate Neales]

Hi Guys
All Sounds fab! Celebrated Sarahs birthday last night- you were missed but it was a lovely relaxed night and we made sure John didnt drive home!! Carry on shopping and see you on Satuday Love Kate XX

[Aunt Karen]

Being daring...!
Hello Katie and Karen, I'm being very daring and making a posting. Only because Euan has been trying to make one since Saturday and something was obviously been wrong with the system ... or else Katie really, really, really didn't want to have to answer any more questions about lizards or spiders! Can't tell you how relieved I was to hear that you had made contact with each other. My eyes were watering too! Thank you for your fabulous postings - descriptions so realistic I could almost feel that I was there myself. However... tucking myself up with a hot water bottle back here in Lt Kimble does have it's own particular soothing qualities! I found myself crossing my legs and sucking in my cheeks (top and bottom ones!) when I read about the 7 hour bladder holding journey. Euan has been trolling through his Guiness Book of Records to see if you could earn a mention in this year's annual. It looks like you're in with a good chance apparently! Katie, thanks for your fabulous, completely-tuned-in-to-each-member-of-the-family letter. We did another "Hush, pray be silent for the latest missive from an important cousin/neice" round the table job. Really I should have videoed it, so that you could have seen all the interest and comments and questions that ensued. I think that you may have to join us round that table when you come back to deal with the onslaught. Preparation beforehand... yes, you've got it ... think lizards, spiders and monkeys! All I can say is Well done me hearties. (We've recently seen Pirates of the Caribbean... sorry). Can't wait to see you both in the flesh, on your respective returns. Meantime... enjoy, learn, live, enjoy, learn, live, enjoy, learn, live etc etc! Kx