Good evening everyone, sorry to leave you on a cliff hanger but before we delve into the exciting stuff we'll share some mundane things first!
So we left Ranthambore and went to Jaipur, Dawns worst city, I didn't find it too bad just another big dusty noisy city. Our first day there we decided to go for a wander to the local Bazaars. We had to cross the main road-my goodness it was a hold your breath, close your eyes and hope for the best scenario! Anyway we made it and found the bazaars this is when the fun started, we decided that we would buy a Punjabi-the long top over trousers outfit. Well the first stall we got to accosted us, wouldn't let us out the shop and manhandled us whilst attempting to wrap an unwanted Sari around us!! Eventually we made our escape and walked past various stalls offering us cushion covers, we eventually found a Punjabi each after having millions and millions unpacked and laid out in front of us. That was that day.
Next day was a sight seeing day-way hey more temples and forts! However we found the cheaper things to do, these consisted of visiting a ruined palace which was very nice and nobody else was there, then visiting an old palace in the stinkiest lake you will ever come across-Dawn likened it to the bog of eternal stench in the film The Labyrinth. Then our driver Sanjay was trying to convince us to kiss a Camel???? Amber Fort was next stop-pricey but the views were worth it and it is here that the Karma Sutra was invented. The Marharaja was only allowed one wife however he had 11 mistresses which he kept in different rooms. The mistresses then painted various sexual positions on the bedroom wall. He would come along and see which one tempted him, that is how the woman then won his company for the evening by acting the painting out!!! After this we had run out of things to do, our driver thought it would be nice to take us to very expensive furniture and textile shops-it was lovely being shown what we can't afford!!! To end the day was in fact the highlight of Jaipur, we went to the world famous cinema, the queues were huge and there were separate queues for men and women. The film was in Hindi and so we couldn't understand but caught onto the story. We saw fantastic bollywood dancing, the music was brilliant and it was interesting to see how everyone claps and cheers in the cinema. We left very happy.
Pushka was next, lovely quiet hippy strictly vegetarian and alcohol free town based around a lake with many Ghats-sacred bathing areas. We really unwound here and went for a fantastic walk right to the top of the highest mountain where there was a Hindu temple at the top and fantastic panoramic views of the mountain ranges and valleys. We thought it would be peaceful but we reached the top to be welcomed by the thud thud thud of rave music being played at the cafe! I then ended up in a very embarrassing situation where i ended up having to take an incense stick into the temple to then pray to one of the Hindu Gods, i had no idea quite what to do or how i should do it, after doing almost everything wrong i rejoined dawn and we made a sharp exit back down the mountain but to soon be stopped in our tracks by monkeys. These were no ordinary monkeys-they were vicious! The little one beared his teeth at us and ran forward claws out and swiping! This is where we were held to ransom but we had no food! I clapped to scare them off but they became more aggressive, even local people seemed scared and wouldn't come forwards, we realised the only way out was to scrabble down the mountain side off of the path! Eventually we got safely back into the town.
Next stop was Udaipur, another lovely city by a lake, James Bonds Octopussy was set here, we did more sight seeing of museums, palaces, gardens, temples. We had a boat ride over to one of the islands featured in the film, we also watched an evening of local dancers which was very good especially the lady who danced with 10 water pots on her head! Another evening was spent sitting on a lovely roof top overlooking the lake in a restaurant whilst watching Octopussy.
Finally the blog brings you to where we are now-Mt Abu, we love it here, it is so peaceful and relaxing however being in the mountains is somewhat cooler but the views are amazing. The only one surprise is that down in the town is like Blackpool's Pleasure beach as it is made up of neon lights, loud music, arcades and popcorn for sale! We giggle about it.
The Lonely planet suggests that there are lovely treks in the area but you shouldn't go alone due to possible muggings, we were going to go without any money but decided on a guide, it was a lovely trek through woodland, over to a lake with a lovely Hindu temple on it plus a very happy looking crocodile who had just eaten a bird. We then climbed up a mountain to a Hindu temple hidden in the rocks, we prayed here too, after being given lots of sugar to eat. After this we climbed further up the mountain, suddenly the guide spotted a bear! I couldn't see it so he told us to hurry up some rocks, we scrambled up a very steep pile of rocks incredibly quickly-i thought it was to catch a glimpse of the bear so i told Dawn who was behind me and puffing to calm down and take her time! It was only at the top that I realised that both Dawn and the guide knew we were running away from the bear!!! It was after us!!!! From the top of the rock plateau we were able to watch it. It remained in the bushes for some time, it then ambled off, it didn't however take its predicted route as we heard the undergrowth crack and he was after us again!!! I had just a split second to get a photo of him staring straight at us before the guide told us that we must hurry as the bear moves faster than us! Oh my God we were scared- I was shaking as we hurried our way over the top of the mountain, eventually we were a safe distance but i remained sceptical, its amazing how quickly you can feel really small and helpless.
About 10 mins later the guide told us the truth, every week someone is injured by the bears, where we were has the highest rate of fatalities due to bear attacks! Also bears spit venomous saliva that blinds you instantly-i'm wearing my swimming goggles from now on! But thank goodness we had a guide and we weren't 2 mins later as we would have met the bear on the path. To finish the walk we came across fighting monkeys but we had a stick!
We went on another trek today which was far less eventful but very beautiful. We were slightly nervous about going on it! This afternoon has been spent chilling on the roof top, playing cards, doing yoga and drinking Chai. Tomorrow we leave and hit the big smoke of Jodphur!
So we left Ranthambore and went to Jaipur, Dawns worst city, I didn't find it too bad just another big dusty noisy city. Our first day there we decided to go for a wander to the local Bazaars. We had to cross the main road-my goodness it was a hold your breath, close your eyes and hope for the best scenario! Anyway we made it and found the bazaars this is when the fun started, we decided that we would buy a Punjabi-the long top over trousers outfit. Well the first stall we got to accosted us, wouldn't let us out the shop and manhandled us whilst attempting to wrap an unwanted Sari around us!! Eventually we made our escape and walked past various stalls offering us cushion covers, we eventually found a Punjabi each after having millions and millions unpacked and laid out in front of us. That was that day.
Next day was a sight seeing day-way hey more temples and forts! However we found the cheaper things to do, these consisted of visiting a ruined palace which was very nice and nobody else was there, then visiting an old palace in the stinkiest lake you will ever come across-Dawn likened it to the bog of eternal stench in the film The Labyrinth. Then our driver Sanjay was trying to convince us to kiss a Camel???? Amber Fort was next stop-pricey but the views were worth it and it is here that the Karma Sutra was invented. The Marharaja was only allowed one wife however he had 11 mistresses which he kept in different rooms. The mistresses then painted various sexual positions on the bedroom wall. He would come along and see which one tempted him, that is how the woman then won his company for the evening by acting the painting out!!! After this we had run out of things to do, our driver thought it would be nice to take us to very expensive furniture and textile shops-it was lovely being shown what we can't afford!!! To end the day was in fact the highlight of Jaipur, we went to the world famous cinema, the queues were huge and there were separate queues for men and women. The film was in Hindi and so we couldn't understand but caught onto the story. We saw fantastic bollywood dancing, the music was brilliant and it was interesting to see how everyone claps and cheers in the cinema. We left very happy.
Pushka was next, lovely quiet hippy strictly vegetarian and alcohol free town based around a lake with many Ghats-sacred bathing areas. We really unwound here and went for a fantastic walk right to the top of the highest mountain where there was a Hindu temple at the top and fantastic panoramic views of the mountain ranges and valleys. We thought it would be peaceful but we reached the top to be welcomed by the thud thud thud of rave music being played at the cafe! I then ended up in a very embarrassing situation where i ended up having to take an incense stick into the temple to then pray to one of the Hindu Gods, i had no idea quite what to do or how i should do it, after doing almost everything wrong i rejoined dawn and we made a sharp exit back down the mountain but to soon be stopped in our tracks by monkeys. These were no ordinary monkeys-they were vicious! The little one beared his teeth at us and ran forward claws out and swiping! This is where we were held to ransom but we had no food! I clapped to scare them off but they became more aggressive, even local people seemed scared and wouldn't come forwards, we realised the only way out was to scrabble down the mountain side off of the path! Eventually we got safely back into the town.
Next stop was Udaipur, another lovely city by a lake, James Bonds Octopussy was set here, we did more sight seeing of museums, palaces, gardens, temples. We had a boat ride over to one of the islands featured in the film, we also watched an evening of local dancers which was very good especially the lady who danced with 10 water pots on her head! Another evening was spent sitting on a lovely roof top overlooking the lake in a restaurant whilst watching Octopussy.
Finally the blog brings you to where we are now-Mt Abu, we love it here, it is so peaceful and relaxing however being in the mountains is somewhat cooler but the views are amazing. The only one surprise is that down in the town is like Blackpool's Pleasure beach as it is made up of neon lights, loud music, arcades and popcorn for sale! We giggle about it.
The Lonely planet suggests that there are lovely treks in the area but you shouldn't go alone due to possible muggings, we were going to go without any money but decided on a guide, it was a lovely trek through woodland, over to a lake with a lovely Hindu temple on it plus a very happy looking crocodile who had just eaten a bird. We then climbed up a mountain to a Hindu temple hidden in the rocks, we prayed here too, after being given lots of sugar to eat. After this we climbed further up the mountain, suddenly the guide spotted a bear! I couldn't see it so he told us to hurry up some rocks, we scrambled up a very steep pile of rocks incredibly quickly-i thought it was to catch a glimpse of the bear so i told Dawn who was behind me and puffing to calm down and take her time! It was only at the top that I realised that both Dawn and the guide knew we were running away from the bear!!! It was after us!!!! From the top of the rock plateau we were able to watch it. It remained in the bushes for some time, it then ambled off, it didn't however take its predicted route as we heard the undergrowth crack and he was after us again!!! I had just a split second to get a photo of him staring straight at us before the guide told us that we must hurry as the bear moves faster than us! Oh my God we were scared- I was shaking as we hurried our way over the top of the mountain, eventually we were a safe distance but i remained sceptical, its amazing how quickly you can feel really small and helpless.
About 10 mins later the guide told us the truth, every week someone is injured by the bears, where we were has the highest rate of fatalities due to bear attacks! Also bears spit venomous saliva that blinds you instantly-i'm wearing my swimming goggles from now on! But thank goodness we had a guide and we weren't 2 mins later as we would have met the bear on the path. To finish the walk we came across fighting monkeys but we had a stick!
We went on another trek today which was far less eventful but very beautiful. We were slightly nervous about going on it! This afternoon has been spent chilling on the roof top, playing cards, doing yoga and drinking Chai. Tomorrow we leave and hit the big smoke of Jodphur!
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