Jaipur, Day III
Trip Start
Oct 09, 2007
1
20
42
Trip End
Nov 16, 2007
Jaipur,
India
Saturday, October 20, 2007
First stop was a place called Royal Getore Cenotaphs. It was sadly not well cared for, but work was being done to restore it. Heard some truly amazing stories from the guide who took us around. The first cenotaph housed a king who had 122 children from his wives and cocubines and they ALL died of some disease or other. It seems he was cursed. That story literally made my hair stand on end. Can you believe it? The guide said, "True madam he was cursed by Goddess Kali."
Then as we progressed further in came other stories and I simply have to share the one about the Raja who was over 7ft tall. We had seen his robes in the Palace Museum the last time we were here and I remember thinking he must have been a Goliath of a man. It seems he had like over 200 women that he slept with but never had any children. Both Alan and I thought the guy must have been sterile. Hmmmm. The guide told us with an embarrassed look, "Don't minding sir, don't minding madam ... king had 18 inch penis, the girl always died after sex." Alan said he must have been the Indian equivalent of Fatty Arbuckle. According to the guide, "Once king request for girl, must say yes, otherwise .... kill." I felt sick at the thought of it.
Next, we went up a winding hill to see a Nargarth Fort ... I have to tell you guys ... the views were more than breathtaking. We rode up in auto so I kept popping my head way out and kept omigodding ... the driver who did not speak much English laughed with delight at my appreciation of his city.
After going thru the old fort/palace, Alan decided to walk to the edge of a ridge while I sat and chatted with the driver. Alan wanted to take pictures of Jaipur city from the battlements. Our friend came across a Punjabi family having a picnic. He commented to them that the food smelled good. What do you think happened? They invited him to join them! Even though he must have been so tempted, out of decorum and me waiting he declined. (Gurmat, goes to show Punjabis everywhere recognise how greedy Alan is!)
Finally we wound our way down towards the old city and popped in at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) Tried ringing Donovan from there but he was busy and then when we could finally talk .. we got cut off. Don - hope your exhibition went well.
Ate at Surya Mahal - one of our favourite Rajastani Thali joints from our first holiday. Thankfully we were not dissapointed and plan to have paper thin dosas there tomorrow! Dad, you would love the food there, it's pure vegetarian and not as rich as in some places. Oh and Brendon when we ate at the Om Restaurant the other day - Alan said ... "hmmm so much gravy, should be just enough for Brendon and Donovan!" ahahahahahah
Nads .. got your two comments ... had to laugh ourselves! We had good drivers today. None stoned and all courteous.
Okay nite ....
Comments
A lot of gravy
Yes, a lot of gravy like I ate at the mak cik's stall at Spencer Village last night. (Sat 20/10/07)
A lot of sambal and curry to go with the rice - hellava tasty!
You must also try 'Sinbads' which used to be 'JJs' just around the corner in the carpark.
Love
B