Castle Bijaipur 26.1.10

Republic day for India and Australia day! (We are travelling with 3 Ozzies…which made for buoyant travel mates).
Once again we travelled in jeeps and stopped to watch a school 'assembly' to celebrate the day. The head teacher was unusually hilarious and the crowd appreciated all his jokes. We, of course were oblivious but were treated like Royalty and a row of chairs was immediately vacated as we approached. The next stop was at a field of opium poppies where Jo almost lost her shoe in sticky mud trying to get the perfect shot! At the Castle and were given a traditional welcome, drummers played and marigold garlands were presented. There was the added bonus of a fully decorated Marwari horse in full regalia…poor thing must dread new arrivals!
The rest of the day was spent readjusting sunbeds to the perfect position in sun or shade and reading. There was a burst of activity when local girls arrived for henna painting and feet and hands were duly decorated.