Another day another fort; this time it is the Amber Fort just outside Jaipur. Not that I am getting forted out; this one is just wonderful and different because it is the largest of three that are perched on top of hills overlooking the town. A train of at least 50 elephants transport people from the bottom of the hill to the fort, they arrive with a band playing. The elephants are beautiful and magnificent and it must be a wonderful experience but I do not approve, it seems like exploitation to me...Explore WW do not approve, we came up by a convoy of jeeps... bumpy ride!
The touts are such a menace. They pounce on you and do not let go; I showed just the slightest interest in an embroidered t-shirt, was told the price 600 rupees (7.50) I said no; he said how much you pay I said 200 he then followed my for hundreds of yards going lower and lower in price I kept saying no. Their terrier-like insistence is awful. It is like that at every major tourist attraction here...
You'd think India was incredibly cheap to holiday in. It is not. Restaurants are just as expensive here as in England. At lunch today (ok; it was in a palace) I had toasted sandwich with a masala filling and cheese with a can of diet coke and was charged 580 rupees (about 8 pounds); that is typical. A bottle of wine here in the hotel at dinner costs 3000 rupees (35 pounds+)
But a tuk-tuk half hour ride will cost you a pound. If you can bear the traffic...
I have mentioned how crazy roads are here. Indian driving regulations are strange. On the way back today our driver tried to turn right at a no-right turn... we were promptly boarded by a traffic policeman who clouted him around the head a few times, a little fight ensued, lots of arguing; the driver had his keys confiscated and was arrested... we had to get tuk-tuks back to the hotel.
Me in Jaipur Royal Palace
The colours of the sari's are just gorgeous
Elephant parade in Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amber Fort in distance, snake charmer at front
The touts are such a menace. They pounce on you and do not let go; I showed just the slightest interest in an embroidered t-shirt, was told the price 600 rupees (7.50) I said no; he said how much you pay I said 200 he then followed my for hundreds of yards going lower and lower in price I kept saying no. Their terrier-like insistence is awful. It is like that at every major tourist attraction here...
You'd think India was incredibly cheap to holiday in. It is not. Restaurants are just as expensive here as in England. At lunch today (ok; it was in a palace) I had toasted sandwich with a masala filling and cheese with a can of diet coke and was charged 580 rupees (about 8 pounds); that is typical. A bottle of wine here in the hotel at dinner costs 3000 rupees (35 pounds+)
But a tuk-tuk half hour ride will cost you a pound. If you can bear the traffic...
I have mentioned how crazy roads are here. Indian driving regulations are strange. On the way back today our driver tried to turn right at a no-right turn... we were promptly boarded by a traffic policeman who clouted him around the head a few times, a little fight ensued, lots of arguing; the driver had his keys confiscated and was arrested... we had to get tuk-tuks back to the hotel.
Me in Jaipur Royal Palace
The colours of the sari's are just gorgeous
Elephant parade in Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amber Fort in distance, snake charmer at front
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