Delhi - Agra - Jaipur

We have been away on a whistle stop Golden Triangle Tour. We flew to Delhi and spent one night there. Visited one of the India Gates and toured a beautiful Hindu Temple. It was quite a cold wake up as the temperatures in the north are very different to Goa! Fog started our journey from there to Agra, our driver didn't seem bothered by it and drove as all seem to here, in a manner that could give you scidders in your pants!! Anyway we arrived in Agra some three and a half hours later to meet our charming guide. We toured the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. A stunning experience. The architecture, white marble, inlays, gardens all beautifully kept. A sight to behold, our pictures do not do it justice. The weather was a little misty when we arrived but luck was on our side and it lifted as we went around the site. So, a little shopping, a very late lunch and we were heading to Jaipur. Quite a road trip, we have loaded some pictures to try and give an idea of what you see and how they conduct everyday life. Life for most people is hard. People live on the streets, by the road in make shift tents, under trees, in mud huts, one room with there animals, chickens and cattle. Of course some have delightful houses. There is a lot of agricultural farming n the area, miles ans miles of mustard seed. Some work hard to try and get ahead, some do not. Begging seems to be a profession for some, a necessarty for others and distasteful for many. The traffic, lorries, buses, tuktuks, rickshaws run up the wrong side of the carriageways on toll roads to avoid charges, on smaller roads ones anything goes! The basic rules of the road do not apply. Camels pulling carts, bullocks towing loads that make you gasp. Children playing at the side of the carriageways, people pooping wherever and whenever, barbers set up by the roadside. We could go on for hours. Although we have imagined this for many years nothing can prepare you for the exhilaration of experiencing the real thing!
We arrived in Jaipur early evening, sadly we missed the Kite Festival by one day although it is still kite flying season so plenty were up. Boys running along roof tops keeping their kites up, others chasing the downed kites, kites on power and telephone lines, boys in trees trying to reach those tangled in branches. Fascinating! We stayed on the edge of the old city, they call it the Pink City, sorry to say not all that pink now. It is becoming very run down due to pollution and general neglect. Some shocking traffic but our hotel was a haven amongst all the chaos. The Nana Ki Haveli, named after the owners grandfather who was Nana to the Maharajah. Ki means garden and Haveli is small palace. Nana's garden palace. Apparently it was part of the garden palace to the palace and the owners have restored the part they inherited and opened a 'home' concept hotel. That would explain the owner being in his jimjams and dressing gown on sunday evening... The first generation of this royally related family to have to earn a living, he is the GM of a 5* hotel in Jaipur whilst his wife runs their own. It was a great place to stay and we've added some images, it was like staying in old Rajistan.
We toured the Pink City and Amber Fort (where we saw Suggs from Madness, the Noisey's are always in good company!), City Palace and the Observatory. We took life threatening TukTuk rides, shopped, ate good food and chatted to interesting people. Our driver also deserves a special mention, he was excellent, great spoken english, impeccable manners and always on time.
We travelled back by plane, which was also an experience. Cabin crew were still trying to get the other passengers to sit down while we were taxiing out. Air travel it would seem is still relatively new to the masses in India and they are still trying to use it as they would the train. Funny and scary!
Anyway we are back and so glad we have had the opportunity to have these experiences.