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Published: December 21st 2017
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Jaipur 5 (Elephants) Day 21. Thursday 21
st December 2017
We had a late(ish) night due to planetarium so a late breakfast (8am). Shirl had arranged a visit to an elephant painting place who said they would send a taxi at 11am, which they did although it was just a single tuk-tuk, so we were cramped up. We were taken to Amber (again) and shown places we had already seen on our previous visit. We had to insist that we just wanted to see the elephants! A guy with a motorbike took both kids with him, leaving more room in the tuk-tuk for us adults. The kids loved it.
At the elephant place was one elephant 18 years old, but another came soon afterwards. The kids got to feed them both with what looked like large corriander leaves (but wasn’t), this took a while. We had a drink break – chai or pop, then the paints came out. All the Reedies had fun painting both elephants, although with sticks rather than brushes, so hard to make a good pattern.
Then it came time to ride them, Shirl & Esmee on
one, Bill & Rocco on another. Shirl gave me her camera (phone) but I had to run to the front to get good shots and that was quite hard (those elephants can move). Just a walk around the village really, which was quite industrial. When we returned the trip was over, time had been wasted going toward Amber fort rather than straight to the elephants, so only 1.5hrs for which they charged Rs2,500 per person so Rs10,000 (£117). This seemed steep, but as Shirl said, they won’t do it again, so why not? They did all enjoy it, and the kids liked their bike rides too. We got 2 tuk-tuks back at no extra cost, but more room. Esmee & Rocco with me in one. But Esmee fell asleep and I had to hold her for fear she would fall out of the bouncy tuk-tuk.
We had lunch at Atithi, Shirl wanted to do some shopping, the kids wanted to go to a swimmimg pool, as promised. Bill said they couldn’t go. I said that I didn’t mind looking after them but needed something to do with them. Bill took them with Shirl. I typed this. Will
opt out of child minding from now on methinks….
This is our last day in Jaipur which we have found to be a friendly city. Sure there are husslers, but easily fobbed off. We have usually had a good laugh with each tuk-tuk driver, the hotel has been great (the kids even getting non-spicey food). Overall, a good place to visit.
We ate dinner together, then it took over an hour to work out our bills (prior to this it took me over an hour to find the e-mail booking that I did back in August for their files). We are paying all our bills tonight as we leave at 6.15am in the morning (we would miss our train if it took em this long in the morning!) All paid up now, rooms, food, drink & laundry. So we should be all set for an early start. Food & drink is free on this train (for some reason) (bread & water?) a review will be forthcoming….
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Jyoti Mani
non-member comment
Are these animals treated well?
The concern with animals in tourism in India is that they don't get treated well and are often hurt or starved. Is there more than what meets the eye here?