Next stop after Delhi was Jaipur. Arrived at the airport and looked for our booked driver from the hotel. Still looking an hr later so got a airport taxi. Arriving at the Taj Hotel in a very scruffy taxi with a cracked widescreen and a scruffy driver was a bit of a let down. We had serious word with reception and were quite amused to have them trying to explain what went wrong. Anyway good apologies and free driver and car for two days was accepted. Looked good turning up in the markets with a turban dressed driver and fancy car. Did the street cred good. 😀.
Lots to see in Jaipur. The Amber Fort was the first place to visit. This city is call “Pink” city due to being built in in red sand stone and also when Edward V visited they painted the main city area pink. Even now every three years the front of the shops are repainted. Being set on a high rock Elephants are used to carry people up to the Fort. Quite a spectacles to see around 60 Elephants, all dressed up in colourful dress, walking up the hill into the palace. There are other forms of transport up but our driver managed to get near to the top as we certainly were not going to use the Elephants. Against our principals. The fort (palace) is a remarkable piece of architecture and I hope the pictures do it proud. After leaving and being stuck in a traffic jam for quite a while we called it quits for the day and beat a retreat back to the hotel which was another old palace now run by the Taj group.
Next days visit was a place where Keith was in his element. It’s called “Jantar Mantar” Astronomical observatory devised and created in 1728ad. The creation was huge and has helped educate the public at large giving an understanding of Astronomy and Celestial bodies. Fascinating.
We then got dropped off in the local market where we were in our element. Right in the thick of narrow lanes, market stalls and wholesale selling. So colourful, vibrant and very busy. I was given a necklace of strung together flowers as a gift.
Manipulating the crossing of roads with traffic coming at us in all directions was a challenge. Lovely people who just walked out putting hands up to help us. We def got the knack though and managed to jump in between scooters, bikes, buses, lorries and cars and made it to the other side with everything intact.
We asked our driver if he knew somewhere we could see screen printing of material. Bad move as we ended up in a great place selling wares from village cooperative where we bought a rug!!!.
We had a great demo re the printing and also weaving of rugs. We were impressed with the rugs so we succumbed and a small rug was purchased. It will be sent by post so we will await it on our return 😀😉👍. We had a good look round at the items they sell as we felt they would be were great for Keith’s daughters shop in Kent. So we wait and see if she purchase anything. Jaipur itself was fascinating and again the hotel was beautiful and so regal.
Northern India is certainly proving a very interesting part to visit with its palaces and forts.
Next stop Jodpur.
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