Jaki

Sarah was actually awake and in the shower before the alarm - strange. Really nice place to wake up though. Breakfast was great. Had toast with omlette, toast with honey, and some porridge with a little honey. Oh and a veg cutlet. Took the jeeps to a local village where the kids were getting ready for school and all wanting ‘one photo’. We had a wander around and saw the school house and different areas of the village, which is divided into separate areas depending on jobs. Saw the barbers living area - that’d be my family. Also stopped to look around the different crops in a field before arriving at the castle. It was great - when we arrived there was someone drumming and someone on a horn and we given flower garlands - a ... read more

Had a fantastic sleep last night. Seem to feel better but look worse for it. But feeling good is much more important than looking good. Actually had breakfast. Still don't understand how it can take 20 minutes to make tea and toast but every where we go it does. Was after 9 when we left but the journey took less than 3 hours rather than the 4 we were told. Better they overestimate rather than underestimate it though. We passed through a village where they were re-surfacing the road and all the men and women were out doing it by hand prom picking up and shaping each brick to laying them down in place. The hotel seems nice, had a snack when arrived then chilled in the gardens, sitting on a chair swing - really like ... read more

Slept well - was great. Didn't get up until about 9.30 to take washing down then had some tea and toast. Spent about 2 hours on the net not getting much done. The PC I was on crashed, the next one didn't have a CD drive, went back to original, crashed again, then another was free so went on that and was much better. Put more pics on Bebo then the next lot were going on as picture icons. After about four attempts, sitting uploading, I gave up, mostly because Firefox stopped working. I did however reply to Gem and put the pics we had on CD onto my USB along with the ones I've taken since. Still to reply to mum. Sarah wrote a whole massive group email then lost it all when she tried ... read more

Can't think we are a week into October already. Didn't manage to sleep well last night. Throat was sore and kept waking up really sweaty but feeling cold. The bus was much better today - actually just walked on and sat down. Plus the seats were much more comfortable. Managed to just chill out with my ipod and actually enjoyed the rest. The jeep journey up to the former fort we are staying in was bumpy but enjoyable and the heritage hotel is wonderful. Every room is different and ours is in a tower/turret with Peter and Susan nex door in a beautiful room with a gorgeous bathroom. After a royal Rajput welcome, we had a nice lunch when we arrived then chilled out on top of one of the towers, enjoying the view. Then went ... read more

Another good nights sleep, if only it was longer. Managed to get up and have a hot shower and be ready for 5.45am. Then stood downstairs for about 20m - so much for the sharp exit Sanjay had made a huge fuss about saying we would leave at 6am on the dot and everyone must be downstairs by 5.50am. Anyway, left luggage, sorted and room service paid, the cars arrived and we were soon at the station. Really hate how pushy, ignorant, and impatient people here can be when it comes to boarding trains - WHEN SEATS ARE BOOKED! Pushing and shoving and jumping on even as the train is pulling in. Sarah stood just two seats away for ages as everyone just shoved by and she couldn't along that small distance to her seat. Most ... read more