This morning (Thurs) we woke up to thick cloud, mist, fog and rain. The mountains were obviously not ready to say goodbye to us. We dressed and admired the stormy weather on our balcony. That was until.... A monkey jumped two feet from my head onto the pillar outside our door, to protect its self from the rain. I nearly shit myself and flew back into the room at speed. . Then another boss eyed monkey appeared and I admired them from the window. They were now sheltering in our door way. No escape for us!
We had our final breakfast at the Green Hotel and loaded our super heavy cases into Sonny our drivers car. Then we were off, on what turned out to be a 30 hour trip to Rajasthan.
Six hours to Amritsar, follwed by two hours of swealtering heat while wondering around the Golden Temple. It was actually like standing in your oven at gas mark 8. A heat I would not like to experience again (Please Rajasthan do not be that hot!). The Golden Temple was amazing, The beauty of it was like that of the Taj Mahal. The Sikh's are so very proud of their magnificent religious building, we were happy to be allowed to walk with them and share their experience. We were yet again the only westerners, so we received lots of stares and attention. On the way in two young men wearing cricket uniform and carrying a very large cricket bag were in front of us, they kept turning around and looking at use. It looked strange, especially since they were carrying such a massive bag into the temple. I thought it was very odd and said to Janet in hushed tones "OMG I hope thats not a bomb in there" Oops... Obviously not that hushed... As they heard me and then proceeded to open thier bag and get out all of their cricket kit. I ended up holding bats and balls the lot. I will remeber to keep my mouth shut in such places in future. The lads thought it was funny and insisted on taking pictures. They turned out to be semi professional cricketers from Amritsar, their cricket ground being at the back of the Golden Temple.
Photgraphes with any child or family that asks is something wonderful. It did take a bit of getting used too in the begining but know I happily oblige. In fact I love it and I will miss it when I go to ASDA and knowone asks to take my picture.
Then it was the three hour drive to Pathankot where we were to get our overnight train to Delhi. On the way we stopped at a hotel for a drink and a quick snack. The hotel was ok but not really for fabulous ladies like myself and Janet. But we were hot and bothered so we asked if we could have a room for an hour so that we could have a shower. 200r later (under 3 quid) we were heading up the stairs. OM Bloody G..................... The room was vile and dirty and YUK. I couldnt stand on the floor in my bare feet in case I caught something. I felt sick at the thought of removing my clothes for a shower, but water is water so I did. I have never been in and out of a shower so quickly in my entire life. I was dressed and downstairs in about ten minutes. Never again.
We headed for the train station and our drivers negotiated a porter to carry our luggage. This is the best thing about India, everyone wants to help you. You obviously have to pay, but for a pound it is well worth someone else carrying your bags in an unfamiliar train station in the dark at night. We boarded the train to find that myself and Janet were in different cabins, I was okay becasue it was with a lovely family, but Janet did not know who would join here. My family said it was not a problem and Janet could have her sons bed underneath mine, because he wanted to sleep with his father. This was a relief for Janet. What a kind and happy India family this was. The husband and wife were so lovely and the little boy of six was amused by us. The little girl only looked about one and she was tiny, tired and not feeling 100%. We chatted with this happy family for an hour, then got into bed. It was like being in a tent, very intimate and close. The train rocks you to sleep and before you know if it is morning. Well 5.30am actually. I woke up, and went to the loo. Now! do not be fooled into thinking India is a dirty place, many places are and can be, but not everywhere and not everyone. The train toilet was cleaner then any trian toilet I have every been on in the UK. The whole goes out the bottom of the train and any wee or poo goes straight onto the tracks for animals to eat. Lovely!!!
We were delayed a while on the train, but we just slept, relaxed, chatted etc. No rush, no bother. We arrived in Delhi at 8.45am Friday and we were greeted by Bhram. Happy and smiley, off to Rajasthan we went.
Six hours to get to Jaipur. We were very tired and stiff, so we booked a massage for that evening before dinner.
Karen x
We had our final breakfast at the Green Hotel and loaded our super heavy cases into Sonny our drivers car. Then we were off, on what turned out to be a 30 hour trip to Rajasthan.
Six hours to Amritsar, follwed by two hours of swealtering heat while wondering around the Golden Temple. It was actually like standing in your oven at gas mark 8. A heat I would not like to experience again (Please Rajasthan do not be that hot!). The Golden Temple was amazing, The beauty of it was like that of the Taj Mahal. The Sikh's are so very proud of their magnificent religious building, we were happy to be allowed to walk with them and share their experience. We were yet again the only westerners, so we received lots of stares and attention. On the way in two young men wearing cricket uniform and carrying a very large cricket bag were in front of us, they kept turning around and looking at use. It looked strange, especially since they were carrying such a massive bag into the temple. I thought it was very odd and said to Janet in hushed tones "OMG I hope thats not a bomb in there" Oops... Obviously not that hushed... As they heard me and then proceeded to open thier bag and get out all of their cricket kit. I ended up holding bats and balls the lot. I will remeber to keep my mouth shut in such places in future. The lads thought it was funny and insisted on taking pictures. They turned out to be semi professional cricketers from Amritsar, their cricket ground being at the back of the Golden Temple.
Photgraphes with any child or family that asks is something wonderful. It did take a bit of getting used too in the begining but know I happily oblige. In fact I love it and I will miss it when I go to ASDA and knowone asks to take my picture.
Then it was the three hour drive to Pathankot where we were to get our overnight train to Delhi. On the way we stopped at a hotel for a drink and a quick snack. The hotel was ok but not really for fabulous ladies like myself and Janet. But we were hot and bothered so we asked if we could have a room for an hour so that we could have a shower. 200r later (under 3 quid) we were heading up the stairs. OM Bloody G..................... The room was vile and dirty and YUK. I couldnt stand on the floor in my bare feet in case I caught something. I felt sick at the thought of removing my clothes for a shower, but water is water so I did. I have never been in and out of a shower so quickly in my entire life. I was dressed and downstairs in about ten minutes. Never again.
We headed for the train station and our drivers negotiated a porter to carry our luggage. This is the best thing about India, everyone wants to help you. You obviously have to pay, but for a pound it is well worth someone else carrying your bags in an unfamiliar train station in the dark at night. We boarded the train to find that myself and Janet were in different cabins, I was okay becasue it was with a lovely family, but Janet did not know who would join here. My family said it was not a problem and Janet could have her sons bed underneath mine, because he wanted to sleep with his father. This was a relief for Janet. What a kind and happy India family this was. The husband and wife were so lovely and the little boy of six was amused by us. The little girl only looked about one and she was tiny, tired and not feeling 100%. We chatted with this happy family for an hour, then got into bed. It was like being in a tent, very intimate and close. The train rocks you to sleep and before you know if it is morning. Well 5.30am actually. I woke up, and went to the loo. Now! do not be fooled into thinking India is a dirty place, many places are and can be, but not everywhere and not everyone. The train toilet was cleaner then any trian toilet I have every been on in the UK. The whole goes out the bottom of the train and any wee or poo goes straight onto the tracks for animals to eat. Lovely!!!
We were delayed a while on the train, but we just slept, relaxed, chatted etc. No rush, no bother. We arrived in Delhi at 8.45am Friday and we were greeted by Bhram. Happy and smiley, off to Rajasthan we went.
Six hours to get to Jaipur. We were very tired and stiff, so we booked a massage for that evening before dinner.
Karen x
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