After our recent rail experience decided to go by coach to Jaipur, well that's what they called it. The best description was along the lines of something between Kenmargra and Tandem with no fist aid kit. (and that's not a spelling mistake on fist). :late setting off and then took another 2 hrs longer than expected 7 hours in total but had seats at least which was more than we could say about the other 15 - 20 Indians that had nothing at all. We were the only foreigners on the bus which mean't a full on glaring session all the way to Jaipur. One old women checked what we were doing every 10 minutes. Got dropped off outside the city, however Vinut the Guest house owner was very nice and came and picked us up. What a luxury - hoy shower, towels and toilet paper, top draw!

First day in Jaipur, Matthew was insistent that we walked to find our way into the city. We got very lost, Matthew was very stressed so proceeded to buy some cigs for the first time in 2 weeks (I'm gutted!) We were harrassed by the most annoying tuk - tuk driver who followed us for at least 15 minutes until Matthew got very angry and asked me whether he could hit him.

Finally met a decent Tuk - Tuk driver, 4 ft 2 ins ( a little bit smaller than wee - man) 72 years old and blind in one eye. ( this we did'nt find out until our last day) Had our best curry so far and got talking with some Indians about the best way we could get some tickets for the cricket.

Turned up outside Jaipur cricket ground for the last ODI between India and Pakistan. With India having already won the series on home soil for 24 years, chances were good to average for a ticket. In no time at all we got tickets at face value and it made a pleasant change from another temple or fort. To say the stadium was dry the atmosphere was good with people singing and fighting for seats all through the game. I went in my England cricket shirt which mean't a good jeering to our seats. (only foreigners again!) Game was ok, Pakistan won comfortably with India's top five batsmen not able to match the run rate and eventually wickets fell as the chase got more challenging. Got lost on the way home because Tuk - Tuk driver did'nt understand Yorkshire.

After a day at the cricket we thought we better see something of Jaipur, but first Matthew wanted a new sim card for his mobile. Got lost again as Tuk - Tuk driver took us to his shop rather than vodafone shop. We decided to call Nana the old blind Tuk - Tuk driver who helped to get Matthew a sim and then took us on a tour of the city. We saw the main city palace and the observatory and realized that Jaipur is more of a terracotta town rather than it's name the pink city. Decided to stick with Nana for the rest of our time in Jaipur and he came up trumps. We saw some great sights not all visited by tourists which made a nice change. Next stop Pushkar for annual camel fair!