Jaipur

Leaving Fort Madogarh in sunshine was a first for us and to arrive in Jaipur in even warmer sunshine gave us hope that the days of fog may be numbered. Apparently Delhi is suffering the worst fog on 10 years and the temperatures have made record lows....thank goodness we avoided that!

We stopped to visit the Amber Fort enroute which was splendid and tumbledown in equal measure. The palace of mirrors was the crowning glory. The next stop was a government emporium, carpets, clothes, pashminas and all the tourist shopping you'd expect. The guy in charge of the carpet demonstration had developed a very slick patter and it was much more enjoyable than we'd expected. Two of the group succumbed and bought small carpets. Was it us? Wait and see…

The approach to the hotel was down a very small lane and our jeeps were turned back by determined officials who simply would not let us enter despite the pleas of the tour leader. So we walked the short way to the hotel only to discover that the main annual literature festival of Asia was being held at there. The garden that was supposed to be strewn with sun loungers was festooned with streamers and a stage was set up for the serious discussion of earnest literature!

It turned out that there were loads of famous authors and dignitaries there and that we had been refused entry due the arrival of the prime ministers' daughter just after we arrived.

Unfortunately the musicians had chosen the courtyard next to our rooms as their practice area. Indian music involves a LOT of drums! It was a late night as the music was performed on the other side of our rooms until the early hours. However, it was an 'experience' not to be missed.

The next day we were left to our own devices and chose to explore the bazaars of the Old City. Many items were produced and prices dropped but the right thing never appeared. As a fixed price shop with some lovely things had tops starting at around two pounds, an item was purchased there instead.