Author Ian Master Parker cont'd........ Tuesday 1/4/08 Reasonably civilised start to the day, then out to catch another 'local bus' to take us on the 4 ½ hour journey to Jaipur, where we were dropped somewhat in the middle of nowhere. However Abhi soon arranged a fleet of tuk-tuks to transport us to our hotel, which was hidden away just off the city centre, and was a really quaint place that had loads of 'character' (including having a power cut every evening about when you were due to go to bed - fine except the fan doesn't work without electricity, and it was hot!). After a light lunch at the restaurant next door, where we were entertained by a frighteningly smiley musician with a huge moustache, a large group of us went out for a walk around the city to see the Palace of the Wind (from the outside), then on to 'window shop' through the jewellery, sari and many other 'quarters' before we returned to the hotel. Didn't feel up to much food, so Sue and I opted to re-visit the restaurant next to the hotel for a bowl of soup and a shandy whilst the others ventured back to a very nice restaurant in the city centre. We did however have the advantage of sitting outside (but under shelter) and watching the most amazing electrical storm before dodging the early raindrops on the way back to our room. Later this turned into torrential rain which soaked the others during their tuk-tuk ride back to the hotel - sometimes you make the right decision for all the wrong reasons! Wednesday 2/4/08 Breakfast in the rooftop restaurant, then everyone piled onto a brand-new and very shiny tour bus which took us to the Amber (pronounced with a silent 'b') Fort. Sue and I elected to take a Jeep to the top as it looked quite a climb for our (still slightly wobbly) legs, whilst all the others chose to walk. Nic got chased by a monkey at the bottom, which was highly amusing for the rest of us - particularly as she singularly failed to notice the association between the banana she was openly carrying, and the obvious desire of the monkey to obtain said banana! The fort itself is on the verge of becoming a spectacular place to visit, with much restoration and renovation currently underway. When finished it really will live up to the expectation of a world heritage site, though I fear that the national mentality of not maintaining anything once it is 'finished' may eventually become its downfall, along with so many other potential treasures within this country. Stopped off briefly on the way back to the city for a photo opportunity at the Palace on the Lake - self explanatory, and only worth one photo! The bus dropped us by the Palace of the Wind, from where we strolled down the road to the City Palace, and visited the clothes museum, the weapons museum (big blunderbusses!) various cloisters and courtyards, and finally the Palace café for lunch. Went to look at the Observatory, but decided that we didn't feel like dealing with all the technical stuff so wandered back to the hotel instead. All jumped into tuk-tuks in the evening to go to a restaurant that Abhi had recommended, which had amazing food from Southern India (mainly crepe based) but no beer! Alcoholically dry night, but got soaked in a monsoon-like downpour on the way back later. Packed and went to bed in another power cut - incredibly we didn't leave anything behind!