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Published: February 18th 2009
It has been raised that it comes across in my previous blogs that I don't seem to be enjoying my experiences here in India. This is not the case. I'm having an Amazing time! I just like to share everything thats happening, and it can seem like i'm complaining alot, but seriously, things are awesome. The following shares my experiences of the last few days......
We set off from Jaipur to Bharatpur pretty early on friday 13th, the less said about the bus journey, the better. But lets just say we were very (very, very) happy to arrive at the haven we were staying at near the Keoladeo Bird sanctuary in Bharatpur. Can't remember the name of the place but it was something like Birder's inn jungle Lodge. It really was a beautiful place and just after we got there we sat down to the best meal i've had in India. Daal Makhani (lentils and seeds) with garlic naan. Yum. In the afternoon, we took a cycle rickshaw through the bird sancturary. Now, I certainly wouldn't say I was a bird enthusiast. In fact, when i go to wildlife park type places, I tend to not bother with them. But out
Bird Sanctuary
Sunset - love itin the open, in such a massive area, with marshland and bogs it really was quite the haven. Roberta and I had guide 82, and it turns out he doubles as both rickshaw driver and guide round the park, meaning he was extreemly knowledgable and had the eyes of a hawk (excuse the pun) but seriously, could spot all types of birds from miles off. We saw dippers and divers and birds of prey and a couple of times Kingfishers! woop, so beautiful. We ended up taking a couple of hours to see the park and it was so relaxing and calmed the spirit somewhat.
The next day we left for Agra once again on local bus, and got there in the early afternoon. We were picked up by the hotel from the bus depot and dropped off just outside the "no automobile" zone and walked to our basic hotel which was within the zone (no auto's to protect Taj Mahal from fumes). Basic the hotel was, but Hotel Sheela was great. The garden areas was a delight to spend time in, and you could tell they were proud of their chilled out surroundings. We spent the afternoon relaxing (Genevieve
Taj Mahal
Back of - Sunset leant me "Twilight" to read, dammit, now i've started I can't stop!) and then went to see the sun set. Despite being so close to the Taj, we still couldn't actually see it. But a 5 minute walk to behind the complex, provided us with breathtaking views. We hopped on a punt which took us to a "beach" like area where we could watch the sun go down, bathing the Taj Mahal in beautiful golden light (see pictures). I still can't quite believe it, the TAJ MAHAL. Crazy. but yeah, it was great, and that was only the back of it!
The next morning we were up, bright and early (6.30 OMG), for sunrise and the front of the Taj. There were lots of people with the same idea, and so there was quite a queue for so early in the morning. As we got through to the main garden we all (8 of us) said a collective WOW. It really is quite and impressive structure (there would've been hell to pay if i'd got up so early and been disappointed!) We spent about an hour snapping away on our cameras and I think I got a few nice ones,
Taj Mahal
Myself, Anna and Roberta and i'm happy i made the effort to get up and go see it! Oh this I missed, but Dave proposed to Gen in front of the Taj Mahal (yes and on after Valentines Day!) how blooomin romantic! In the afternoon Roberta and I strolled to the Agra (red) fort. It was really nice to get some proper exercise as the tour we're on has been less actively strenuous than either of us were expecting, but having walked there, round the fort and back again, i certainly felt like i'd done some exercise (especially my toes, gripping my flip flops!) . Good work us I say. It was really chilled and we saw quite a few cheeky monkeys (see pics). In the evening we went to a rooftop restaurant (surprise surprise 😉) and had nice food before we headed to the train station and our first real experience of "india time". yep our train was two hours late (and 8 hours late by the time we reached Varanassi!) but its all part of the experience innit, and i was happy reading my book.
I have now been in Varanassi two days and had some awesome experiences. On the first night
Taj Mahal
Me Early Morning we had a boat ride on the ganges and saw the burning ghats, lit candles and set them floating whilst making wishes, lots and lots of candles, so lots and lots of wishes! I do hope they come true! and then saw a Hindumonkprayerceremony type thing, which was interesting. Yesterday started early as (collective gasp) i got up for a sunrise yoga session. It was really good and i went straight back to bed afterwards to savour the enjoyment of how good it made me feel. lol. and then had a relaxing day playing cards and doing washing and stuff. after our meal in the evening we passed a huge wedding parade through the streets. exciting stuff!
This morning we got up for a sunrise (yep, i'm making a habit of this) boat ride on the ganges where we saw numerous people bathing and washing their clothes in the holy (oh so clean) waters of the ganges and a morning yoga session for the young monks. it was great! and here I am, on the net with the prospect of a 19-26ish hour trainride to Kolkata thiseveningnighttomorrowmorningafternoonevening. can't wait! I think it's gonna be backgammon card game reading times for
a while!
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Toby
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That monkey has got massive nuts. ha ha ha