Jaipur

Jaipur is amazing! Incredible! Breathtaking! The Fairmont Jaipur is the nicest motel. We all walked in in awe of this motel. The service is just as good. 

After a very restful night in our rooms we woke up early to a fabulous breaky and we set off for the Amber Fort. 

Amber fort was busy and very crowded but after much waiting we boarded our elephants! 

Kim S was in her element with the mosaic designs at this fort. Learning about how the King and Queens lived was great but Isla overheard the Guide Jackie say that the Queen wouldn't walk in her saris so they carried her. Hmm Mummy got to carry her everywhere and she demanded to be called Queen. She is loving life. Everyone wants to take her photo and she will mostly say "no photos" but the lucky few will get one. After the Fort we drove to lake palace and then went to a block printing place to learn how it is done and do some shopping. 

Isla was tired so she lied on the bed and played Lego game. 

These little boys were at outside the shop and I gave Isla some money to give them and they were so happy! Yelling out happy happy! They then went and bought a sandwich which made me happy happy! 

We then drove through Jaipur city to see how everything is pink. 

Off to Ratan a favourite shop of mine and some lovely shopping was done. 

Then back to the motel for a swim, rest and dinner. Tomorrow we return to Delhi. 

Fairmont Jaipur

In heaven 

Radisson Blu

Great hotel. Very impressed. Isla loving seeing monkeys out the window at breakfast. 

Trouble with blog

I am writing updates every day but for some reason they won't publish. Sorry. 

This is our view from our bedroom in Jaipur. Pure luxury and Isla is loving it. 

Agra to Jaipur

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HToday we checked out of the Radisson Blu (very happy with this motel) and headed for a drive by of Agra fort. We didn't go in as the Indian Army occupy a large portion of it and time wasn't on our side. 

We then went to a jewellery emporium and the girls got to see some amazing things. I found the hand beaded picture I wanted for the wall but maybe next time I will get it. 

It is all done by hand and I love it! 

Felicity having a go at beading. 

We then left and drove to the Fatehpur Sikri (Lost city). Amazing architecture and history but too many hawkers and not enough protection from our guide.  We were excited to see the sign below but not our version of clean. Did the trick though. 

Isla has been so good with the tourism activities and heat but she wasn't impressed but this place. Luckily Vanessa had Lego man on her phone. 

The drive from the lost city to Jaipur was long and bumpy. Isla was great. 

Bronwyn is forever making us laugh. 

This was our roadside diner. 

Day 5 Taj Mahal

After checkout at the motel our convoy started the journey from Delhi to Agra. I couldn't believe that there is now a freeway! Not 5 hours of closing your eyes hoping to make it through the weaving of traffic, cows and people! So much more pleasant. Our drivers have been fantastic and we are thankful for that. Always looking out for us. 

On arrival in Agra we picked up our guide Vijay whom I had already met and we made our way to the checkin to the motel Radisson Blu. Motel lovely - coffee freakin expensive! Vanessa paid $6.50 for one. She can confirm it was nice though. We had a quick (not in delivery) bite to eat and made our way to the Taj. Even though I have had the pleasure of seeing it 3 times now it doesn't fade in impact or significance. 

The girls just loved it and I asked them to sum up the Taj in one word - Majestic, magical, surreal, amazing, 

Waiting to go in.... It was hot and there were lots of people. Ok maybe a million people!  Thankfully we had our guide because without him we would not have been able to go. We lined up for our photos and this could not have been done with no guide. 

Hardly any people in this photo! Illusion. 

Our cartoon line up recreated! Vijay cut off Carlie's leg kick. 

Isla and Lynnie were in photo demand again. Isla wasn't impressed with all the demands from those requesting her photo so she decided to do this;

Had to laugh. She has been so good. 

This gives an idea of the people. 

Bronwyn makes us laugh all day! 

I will add some more photos in of everyone this morning. 

So we don't have to line up to get into the building to see the tomb replicas BUT as we are going in there is seriously a stampede. We knew we had to get out of there ASAP. It was scary and I don't understand why the guards let it happen but we just had to somehow get out. How Isla didn't scream hysterically I don't know. We all look out for each other and grabbed each other and followed vijay out. There was no physical way we could have stayed in without someone being hurt. 

It didn't affect our experience and certainly gave us added memories but I don't want to have that happen again. 

On our way back to the main gate we have to either get a camel cart or battery car. Kim S isn't fond of camels so car it was. The young hawkers come up to you and as we drove off this little boy was running after us trying to sell a snow dome Taj. He ran so fast and just didn't stop that Vanessa had to pull him on the back of it and yes buy snow domes. He deserved it. Bronwyn videoed it. Amazing. 

We then made our way to an emporium owned by a close friend of Neil Pinto and he had told him we were coming. We arrived to special treatment and kingfisher beer! I don't drink beer often but it was nice. 

Some of the items for same there are absolutely incredible. 

On arrival back at the motel we went to an award winning authentic Indian restaurant which was lovely. 

Vanessa and Bronwyn saw an astrologer and were very impressed with the reading. The rest of us fell into her and didn't move. 

Off to Jaipur this morning after we see Agra Fort. 

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