INDIA, CONTINUED

After Agra, we pushed further west to Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. Shane Warne is the captain of the Rajasthan Royals, the 20/20 cricket side. We didnt see him, but he sent Chris a lurid sms (just kidding). We spent the first day visiting the palaces & the observatory in the old section of the city. The next day we went to the Amber Fort, just outside the town, & it was fairly impressive.Jaipur is surrounded by hills, & there are several forts on the ridges to defend the city. That night we were back in the hotel when we were told that several bombs had gone off in the old city. Timing is everything. We are quite OK, & are still more concerned with the traffic.

THE PALACE OF THE WINDS.



THE HILLS FORMING THE BACKDROP TO THE CITY.

TYPICAL STREET SCENE, PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

THE WATER PALACE

AS USUAL, THE HOTEL STAFF LOVED TO LINE UP FOR A PHOTO WITH THE TWO CRAZY GUYS. THIS IS THE CREW FROM THE HOLIDAY INN, JAIPUR.

We then headed out further west into the desert, to Bikaner. We rode for six kours in a heavy sandstorm, & the wind was so hot I thought someone had left the front door of Hell open. Were glad to arrive. We had booked into the Laxmi Niwas Palace, the former home of the Maharajah of Bikaner, which is now a hotel. And what a hotel! There are more staff than guests at the moment, & we got it for a ridiculously cheap price. The bathroom is bigger than the hotel room we had in Singapore.

THE SMALLER OF THE TWO INTERNAL COURTYARDS WHERE THE MEALS ARE SERVED.

The Maharajah was quite an operator, and was a well respected historical figure in India. Among other things, he was an army General, & a signatory to the Treaty of Versailles, which ended WW1, & represented India in discussions on Independence. Numerous Royals have stayed here, from George V, Earl Mountbatten, Edward V111, & so on, and the walls are lined with photos. Naturally, they shot most of the wildlife into extinction, & a lot of it is still on display in the bar.

THE TROPHY BAR. THIS IS OUR KIND OF BAR!!

Tomorrow we go north to Ganganagar. This is a whistlestop, & will be a big comedown from the Palace. Bye for Now.