Incredible India!

Someone once said the acronym for India was I'd Never Do India Again.. this is how Carolyn felt for a few days in Pushkar when the bug wouldn't leave her and she felt weak and homesick for her own bed. However, a few days later and in a new city, things looked far more rosy and even though they were in the Blue City of Jodphur, there was nothing blue about our 2 travelers! Jodphur was established in the 1500's with a really impressive Fort dominating the area around it for miles. They had visited many forts around India, but this was by far the most impressive. It is called the Blue City as the majority of buildings in the Old Town were painted blue as this kept the houses cooler and acted as an insect repellent. Clever!

Carolyn and Paul spent a couple of days exploring the fort and seeing how it was inhabited over the years. They even took me with them for a glimpse of the Royal residence. In the 19th century Jodphur was a popular place for the British and exclusive polo clubs were established. It is here that Jodphur trousers used for horse riding were invented, but unfortunately they haven't caught on here and the locals aren't all trotting around in them!

Paul and Carolyn used to think they were lucky to stumble upon festivals and celebrations in India, but soon discovered that Indians have something to celebrate nearly every day of the year. Jodphur was no exception and they found themselves in the middle of yet another parade of gods on top of horses and cars!

After a couple of days Paul and Carolyn boarded their last local bus which took them to their last new destination of Udaipur. This was a bus ride to rival all others. The road was so bumpy and rocky that the passengers were tossed and tumbled like they were in a washing machine. At one point the bus went over a particularly large bump and a back panel of the bus ripped off. The driver simply continued. It then conked out altogether just before climbing a mountain pass, so the driver clambered under the bus to tinker for half an hour while the passengers sweated like fury!

Finally, 8 hours later they arrived in beautiful Udaipur and carefully selected a decent hotel as this was to be their last base for 5 whole days! They found a decent Haveli overlooking the magical lake and settled in.

Udaipur was built due to a hermit telling the Maharajah that if he build a town here it would always flourish, so that is what he did.... and so it has.... so much so that it features highly in the James Bond film Octup**** Many rooftop restaurants proudly screen the film nightly, so you can watch the film whilst eating good food and enjoying the 'on-location' views. Carolyn and Paul did just that one night and had the whole place to themselves. It is now off-peak season in India as it is getting hotter by the day so tourists are even more scarce.
The Maharajah built himself many palaces to enjoy; the City Palace, 2 Lake Palaces and a Monsoon mountain top palace (all used in James Bond and most now hotels way out of a backpackers budget). First stop was a visit the City Palace. They've seen many palaces in their time in India, but this one was really exquisite; very beautiful and lavishly decorated.

They bought a cut up pineapple from a stall outside the palace. The shop keeper sharpened his knife on the pavement before wiping it with a dirty cloth. Not ideal. It was meant to be a refreshing snack for the boat ride over to the Summer/Pleasure Palace on an island in the middle of the lake. The fruit lasted 30 mins inside Carolyn before she had to run with clenched cheeks to the closest loo and just made it back in time for the chartered boat. Paul rolled his eyes at Carolyn's weak gut and ate more of the refreshing snack.

Hours later Paul was doubled over in pain. It was an attack of the killer pineapple which left Paul poorly for days.

A couple of days later, when Paul could venture more than 50m away from a loo, they tackled the climb to the The Monsoon Palace. A 4 km trek up a steep mountain in the soaring heat. It's apparently the best location to view the sunset. They climbed the ever winding road till they got to the dilapidated palace at the top 50 minutes later. There was nothing to see but an amazing view for miles around; the lake on one side and rolling mountains on the other side. They "ooohed" at the sunset for a couple of seconds and then immediately made their descent in the dark back to the waiting tuk tuk.

Moving on day arrived all too soon and Carolyn and Paul got set to make their final journey in India back to Mumbai. This involved a grueling 17 hour air conditioned sleeper coach which, although very smart in appearance, sent them flying around all night as if they were sleeping in a tumble dryer on cold setting! They had come full circle. It was interesting returning to their initial city. It no longer seemed manic with traffic. The vehicle horns had now become a soundtrack to their life, so became almost unnoticeable.

Incredible India.... a country which hold such a contradiction of charm and carnage. The hacking/spitting/weeing men. The cows/donkey's/goats/elephants all dominating the streets. The staring locals, all taking photos of Carolyn & Paul or videoing them on their mobile phones. The crazy traffic; vehicles weaving, beeping, with no regard for which side of the road they are on! The constant hassle from taxi/tuk tuk drivers/shop owners. The smell. Oh the smell - breath in before open drains and walk as fast as you can!

Indians have no idea about the concept of bins. The lepers/ beggars/ slum kids hanging from your arm asking for bananas or rupees. The amazing sites. The friendliest people. The colourful women. The gorgeous chai (tea). The yummy food. Paul and Carolyn have loved every minute of their time in India.... but next stop Singapore. One of the most cleanest, efficient and civilised cities in the world. What a contrast!