Devi Garh Rajsamand

... can only be described as a small hamlet. Shacks and huts cobbled together with no electricity or running water we have our first look at how difficult life is for most Indians. All the water they need for cooking, washing and drinking has to be collected from a pump and carried about a quarter of a mile. We saw one woman walking with such grace along the road, it was only when she had gone down the bank that we noticed the massive brass ...

... and spends 6 months of the year in Kochin in India. A bit of a strange old bird really, her husband had died and she seemed very lonely. Estranged from her daughter and her family she just rolled around the world on her own.

At this point I would like to say a little about our driver - he had not gone down the orange hair route which was a good start, however it doesn't really inspire you with confidence at the start of a 100 mile journey ...

... the fort which was light up at night and as we zoomed up a hill the fort suddenly came into view and it felt like being in a James Bond movie. The next day I did a 3 hour walk in the sanctuary with the owner's cousin. As we were walking he stopped me and whispered "Shhhh". I advanced quietly hoping to see a leopard but he whispered "chicken". Every now and then the guide would stop and whisper "Shhh, chicken".

... br>farmers (via the driver - who it subsequently transpired was also a
farmer making some extra money during the winter) who were irrigating
their crops through a natural well from which the water was lifted by
a bucket conveyor belt powered by oxen. I think this is when we
started to get a real feel for Rajastan, where the stunning
countryside punctuated by beautifully and ...

... to the Hindu caste structure, and created a split from the Hindu tradition. It has never moved beyond the borders of India. Its devotees believe in non- violence and a practice of cleansing their souls of Karman. By fasting and practicing non violence against any living thing, they hope for liberation. The most strict of their tenants require their deciples to possess only basic clothing and a broom, which they use to sweep the path before them so that they do ...

... we went to check out another Jain temple. But not just any temple, this one was made up of 24 large halls containing 1400+ ornately carved pillars (it had an air of Tolkiens "mines of moria" about it). From there we returned to the hotel to then embark out on a short walk to view a few of the surrounding lakes. The place was full of life. Out on the walk we saw loads of birds and some ...

... India.” What a stupid reply.

As we got closer to Ranakpur the scenery changed from desert land to trees and mountains and lots of greenery. It is really beautiful. Our hotel is set in a little country lodge, down a gravel driveway lined with trees and then little cabin huts to sleep in. It is really pretty and there is loads of greenery surrounding the hotel. We have a little balcony outside our room where we can sit and just watch the world go by.

... a fan to move the air around and seemed to be mosquito-free). I can't describe the path that I needed to take to get to my room, but it was better if I followed other people. *video* I went to the common area a little bit before dinner to see the sunset (no clouds = not that impressive) and to find my way up there while it was still light. :) Dinner was good, served in the large dining room as a buffet. I think the group was more reserved than usual ...

... hooped in the taxi fora the 1.5 hour ride to Ranakpur temple. As we rode, I thought about how long it must have taken people to journey to these locations as their remoteness even by car is quite noticeable. Ranakpur is a beautiful temple, exquisitely designed and intricately sculpted. the interior of the temple has over 1400 support pillars, all being distinctively carved and no two being alike. Like most things in Rajasthan turn out to be, the ...

... that floated across the courtyard. It was clearly time for a swim. After independence the Maharajas theoretically became ordinary citizens, and while they retain significant local influence, the source of their income has diminished to the extent that they have turned their palaces into hotels and entered the tourist industry. One such hotel, the Shiv Niwas, within the City Palace allows non-residents to ...