Jaipur & Amber

Jaipur. Arrived Jaipur after a 4 hour train journey from Bharatpur. Our accommodation has HOT water wahooo, the first hot shower we have had since arriving in India, sheer luxury. Jaipur is quite a big city, about 2.5 million inhabitants. Generally is a bit of a tip, really dirty and very dusty. We both went down with bad throats after just one day of being here. The main attractions are however quite spectacular.





The summer palace situated in and around a nearby lake gave some idea of how the Raj spent their hot days trying to chill out. After this we visited some local Mahouts and their Elephants. Never been close up to one before ( Elephant that is ) and we were amazed at how soft their skin was, almost spongy in feel, you get the impression of something really quite spiritual about these incredible animals, shame they were in captivity though.

Raj Summer Palace Jaipur

Something about Elephants.

Not sure who is eyeing up who.

The main attraction of Jaipur is the City Palace and the Palace of Winds.( Hawa Mahal ), The City Palace is a large clean construction of courtyards, Gardens and Buildings including and armoury and museum ( just right to escape the midday sun )

City Palace

City Palace

City Palace

The Hawal Mahal is the palace where the Maharajah's Wives would live, the many windows ( 365) allowed them to view the world but not be viewed and to catch the cooling breeze. It's impressive from the outside but inside is rather ordinary.

Hawal Mahal and two tourists, yes our first pic together !!


Hawal Mahal

Amber : Near to Jaipur is the Town of Amber ( pronounced Amer, meaning high ! ) the huge Amber fort and Palace dominate the hillside, as the road winds over the small hillside separating it from Jaipur the view is quite amazing. Walking through the town to the fort we passed a neat little "Khmer" like temple, no idea what it was called but here's a picture anyway.

The Temple with no name.



The huge Amber Fort and Palace.

Amber Palace

Amber Palace.

Off to Ajmer by bus in the morning, be nice to get away from all the dirt and dust..