Our brief encounter in Assam was thrilling; but merely 'wet our appetite'. We wanted more.

We knew the chances of a second tiger sighting were slim at best. And with only one morning at Ranthambore National Park, to do a safari, the odds weren't in our favour. But we had to try!

So at 6am, full of anticipation, we piled into the Cantt (a 6-man jeep); our hearts sank as we listened to fellow passengers' tails of disappointing safari, after disappointing safari. For one couple this was their third trip into the park that week! I couldn't decide whether this was disheartening, or in fact increased our odds dramatically; I mean, it had to be their (and therefore, our) time, right?

Unlike our private safari in Assam, where our guide excitedly pointed out every deer, water buffalo and boar (giving us time to ooh-and -ah) from the comfort of the raised roadway, this was a no nonsense, off-road tiger hunt. Bumping along dirt tracks, at top speed, there was no time to waste taking photos of inferior wildlife. We were on a mission.

Consequently, I'm sad to say, we don't have a single shot of the many monkeys, elk-like deer or birds we saw.

As we sat motionless (for the third time!), tantalised by the alarm calls coming from the trees, straining to catch a glimpse our elusive prey, I started to wander whether I should have taken a photo of that crocodile.

I've never found it easy to sit quietly. But patience is a virtue.

Ok, ok! I will put you out of your misery... Moments after resigning myself to the fact that we were not going to see a tiger, our guide suddenly catches wind of something and turns the jeep around.

Then I spot him.

Dosing in the shade, about 50-meters away from us, was a beautiful male tiger... called Ustad. He raised his head as we ground to a halt, but seemed completely unfazed. For the next twenty minutes he graced us with a few glances (blowing your nose loudly is apparently a sure fire way to get a tiger's attention), and a bit of a stretch, before loosing interest. It was amazing! I felt truly honoured to be in the presence of such a majestic creature.

We were so lucky!