Yoga power, getting wet and sucking at cards
Trip Start
Oct 05, 2008
1
6
13
Trip End
Apr 26, 2009
Udaipur,
Rajasthan,
India
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Worked up at 8am and did the usual three S's routine, and went up a little later to the breakfast/restaurant area as wanted to give the guys some time. But they were no where to be seen, so after a bit gave them the familiar knock on the door and was greeted by a bleary eyed Ben. I was right that Ben's "we will be up at 8am and down by half 8" was slightly over optimistic at the least.
Had the usual toast and bowl of Muesli shared with Amanda. It is on the substantial side, but I do notice it has been decreasing each time we have it hmmm. Decided to plan our time in Udaipur over breaky:
- Yoga
- Swimming (Shilpy resort)
- Chittor
- Climb hill for sunset point
- City Palace
- Boat ride to palace
Personally don't think we will get more than half of the above list done, but who am I to say hehe
Dream Heaven Dinner
.Anywayzzzzz, decided to do the Yoga straight away as it is round the corner and we feel like we could kick some serious ass. So treaded of for a quick change and off to Yoga it was.
Ben turned up in Amanda's green pants which suited him scarily well other than a fair amount of slack around the posterior region lol.
Got there and found no one and I started messing about on the Cram board game. Someone turned up in a minute and I felt busted, but it was ok as he started playing against me after shouting out for the instructor. It was not the usual time for classes so we caught them a little off guard (it was near 12pm). Did ok, as got a few good shots in and surprised everyone hehe, but then legged it upstairs when a few shots went pear shaped.
Well our instructor (nick named Raj, like every other Indian Ben doesn't know the name of), quickly discovered that we are absolute beginners especially when Amanda couldn't hold her balance or concentration. 1.5 hours later after a few stretches in positions we thought our bodies could not do. A few photos taken, to help our learning and a 1,000 donation to the local animal shelter, it was back to the sanctuary of our guest house, to refuel and teach me to play a few card games (bought form shop opposite, where the owner tried to charge me 50 rupees for a 2 litre bottle of Bisleri mineral water...no chance)
Gecko
.The City Palace should have been on our list but Amanda and Ben wanted to see my new found confidence and progress in the water. So off to the countryside resort of Shilpa, 3km out of the town. Were it is quieter and not busy like the pools in the town.
A hairy rickshaw ride later via a dodgy re-felling store where we picked up a quart kingfisher bottle of petrol, for 60 rupees. Past along the dirt road and saw some lady goat farmers, finally arriving at this guest house which was meant to have a fabulous pool.
Well we got in and all we could find was a empty feature pool about 4m x 6m long. Me and Amanda both looked at one another in dis-belief, especially since Deep had told us about it. Luckily I came to the rescue by asking some builders in the vicinity where the pool was, and we then popped our head around the corner and tada! Indeed there was a fab 15m x 6m pool with just 4 or so guests lazing about. Ben lasted about 30 seconds, or as long as it took for him to strip him shorts off and jump into the pool. I took a little longer as I heard the giggle of the local girls behind me when I realised Ben was in full board shorts but told me that he was going in small swimming trunks. Me being a fool had gone in the latter as I believed him. Well that and I had to pin point the shallow end and strategically place my goggles (I was expecting UK levels of chlorine lol)
Goat herding on way to Shilpa pool
.How refreshing it was, and it was the coolest we had felt since we arrived in India 9 days ago (as every day has been at least 35c).
Ben tried to teach me how to float with ease, breath, do hand stands, lotus position under water and the old favourite #1 annoying action for all others in the pool: the BOMB!
A rickshaw ride later (after a few drinks in the outside restaurant area), our plans had changed from sunset to Internet cafe and insect bites for the lads grrrrrrr. Mean while Amanda pampered herself in my luxury blue bathroom.
Another dinner in Dream Heaven Guest House (and me on my favorite fruity fresh drink) with a mild spice dinner. Followed by gecko watching and proper card playing attempts (I failed here lol) with intermittent explosive fireworks that scared the pants of everyone (it was a full moon deity festival of some sorts).
Ben was still unable to have a bowel movement, which shows the antibiotics are doing the trick hehe.
One funny thing that happened was that Ben had to by a pen, and so we had a quick poke aroudn the local area and found a small stationary corner shop
Other Shilpa pool inhabitants
. Here he was to find the pen that was to serve him well for the rest of his journey (travel journey that is, not life I hope).It was a very dodge looking parker with the following written on the back (worth the 70 rupees alone imho):
GET A PREMIUM
FROM PARKER
"You are a go-getter. Then why let an ordinary pen hold you back? Carry a Parker"
"....... And let the metallic finish perfectly symbolise your successful and dynamic personality"
Manufactured by Luxor Writting Instruments.
