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.
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