Day 72 (Sun 17 Sep) - Jaipur
After a deep sleep we had a tasty breakfast in the guest house.
We discovered that the combination lock on Sarb's large rucksack was refusing to open so after Jo threatened divorce proceedings if Sarb didn't change his clothes, Sarb went off for help. Sarb soon found the local handy man. Thinking that he would use a cunning set of tools to pick the lock Sarb was mildly disappointed when the chap simply took a set of large pliers and cut through it.
After a quick change we were ready for Jaipur.
As it was Sunday most of the small shops we were hoping to walk through would be closed and coupled with the fact it was baking hot, we took an auto direct to the Palace of Winds (Hawah Mahal).
The palace ( [1], [2] )is made of pink stone and is based around a central courtyard with walkways around it extending up some 5/6 levels. Each level has small shuttered windows that allow you to look out at the teeming streets below.
It was incredibly hot within the palace and so were thankful we managed to find a sheltered area complete with a cool breeze. As we sat there a group of young male indian tourists asked us if they could take a photo, which basically means Jo. We were pretty hot and bothered and Jo irritably said 'No!'. So they basically arranged themselves around her and took them anyway!
The views from the upper levels of the palace are superb. We were able to see a fort perched high on the rocky escarpment outside the city, the busy town streets, the huge triangular gnomon of a sundial constructed by a previous ruler to pursue his interest in astronomy and the Jaipur palace.
From the Palace of Winds we walked through some covered bazaars to the Jaipur palace. Went through the museums/exhibitions in the palace which were very interesting indeed; one displayed the raiments of previous rulers and their wives, another an awesome collection of fearsome looking knives and swords used in times past to settle disagreements about who should pay the bill, an exhibition showing precious artwork including scrolls of Hindu religious texts. These scrolls were no longer than an inch wide and two feet long with text so small it was absolutely amazing. The last exhibition displayed the old carriages and automobiles belonging to previous Maharajas.
We pottered around the artisans' hall where Jo bought a beautiful painting.
Breezed into a courtyard that had the most magnificent doors we've ever seen.
After the courtyard we went onto the palace cafe, past some accommodating guards, where we refreshed ourselves ie. Sarb had a beer and Jo a soft drink.
Had a look at an urn used to transport holy water to Britain with the maharajas when they popped over for a canter round the polo field. Apparently the largest in India.
Left the palace and whilst deciding where to go next Sarb decided to try out a rickshaw. After Sarb stopped playing we got the same rickshaw to the Heights bar; which we discovered upon arriving was closed. Had drinks in the cool hotel lobby and then walked back to our hotel.
Relaxed for a while and then got a rickshaw to Om. This is Jaipur's revolving restaurant. Bagged a table and watched the city twinkle away around us. As we sat there we discovered that Om was a vegetarian and alcohol free restaurant! Sarb rallied well to this devastating news and we went on to have a lovely spicy meal.
We discovered that the combination lock on Sarb's large rucksack was refusing to open so after Jo threatened divorce proceedings if Sarb didn't change his clothes, Sarb went off for help. Sarb soon found the local handy man. Thinking that he would use a cunning set of tools to pick the lock Sarb was mildly disappointed when the chap simply took a set of large pliers and cut through it.
After a quick change we were ready for Jaipur.
As it was Sunday most of the small shops we were hoping to walk through would be closed and coupled with the fact it was baking hot, we took an auto direct to the Palace of Winds (Hawah Mahal).
The palace ( [1], [2] )is made of pink stone and is based around a central courtyard with walkways around it extending up some 5/6 levels. Each level has small shuttered windows that allow you to look out at the teeming streets below.
It was incredibly hot within the palace and so were thankful we managed to find a sheltered area complete with a cool breeze. As we sat there a group of young male indian tourists asked us if they could take a photo, which basically means Jo. We were pretty hot and bothered and Jo irritably said 'No!'. So they basically arranged themselves around her and took them anyway!
The views from the upper levels of the palace are superb. We were able to see a fort perched high on the rocky escarpment outside the city, the busy town streets, the huge triangular gnomon of a sundial constructed by a previous ruler to pursue his interest in astronomy and the Jaipur palace.
From the Palace of Winds we walked through some covered bazaars to the Jaipur palace. Went through the museums/exhibitions in the palace which were very interesting indeed; one displayed the raiments of previous rulers and their wives, another an awesome collection of fearsome looking knives and swords used in times past to settle disagreements about who should pay the bill, an exhibition showing precious artwork including scrolls of Hindu religious texts. These scrolls were no longer than an inch wide and two feet long with text so small it was absolutely amazing. The last exhibition displayed the old carriages and automobiles belonging to previous Maharajas.
We pottered around the artisans' hall where Jo bought a beautiful painting.
Breezed into a courtyard that had the most magnificent doors we've ever seen.
After the courtyard we went onto the palace cafe, past some accommodating guards, where we refreshed ourselves ie. Sarb had a beer and Jo a soft drink.
Had a look at an urn used to transport holy water to Britain with the maharajas when they popped over for a canter round the polo field. Apparently the largest in India.
Left the palace and whilst deciding where to go next Sarb decided to try out a rickshaw. After Sarb stopped playing we got the same rickshaw to the Heights bar; which we discovered upon arriving was closed. Had drinks in the cool hotel lobby and then walked back to our hotel.
Relaxed for a while and then got a rickshaw to Om. This is Jaipur's revolving restaurant. Bagged a table and watched the city twinkle away around us. As we sat there we discovered that Om was a vegetarian and alcohol free restaurant! Sarb rallied well to this devastating news and we went on to have a lovely spicy meal.
posted by Jo and Sarb at
9/17/2006 07:13:00 am
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