Jaipur Explore

India: 21st September

After our late dinner last evening I decide to skip brekkie today, a choice that I am increasingly going for in India as I enjoy the curries at lunch and dinner a bit too much to waste hunger on an omelette and toast in the morning. Once everyone else is fed and I have had a nice cuppa tea we head off to explore the wonders of the city of Jaipur.

Our first stop is Galta Mandir, otherwise known as the monkey temple. It is, in fact, a collection of temples built around natural hot springs in a valley in the hills roughly 10km outside of Jaipur. The architecture and artwork here is beautiful; intricate carvings of gods and detailed painting of religious stories fill the rooms of these red stone temples. When we arrive, like everywhere in India, there is a different price for foreigners than locals, but what’s different here is that to take photos inside you have to buy a premium ticket. The group decide to stick to only one premium ticket and rely on Stu to fulfil all our photo and video needs. He accepts this group decision as he has been tasked by One Life’s marketing team to get some good photos and videos for them to advertise the re-opening of their India tours. He has even brought a One Life flag which I end wearing as a cape for most of the time we are exploring the temples. Of course, as the local name would suggest, there are lots of monkeys all over the place. Most of the hot springs are filled with people bathing in the holy water, but one in particular seems to be specifically for the monkeys. I even see one young monkey launch itself off a high barrier into the spring and swim underwater to emerge on the other side.

After we have had our full of monkeying around, the group heads back into town. Due to a Muslim festival going on this month we come into some roadblocks and closures so end up changing the plan a little. Originally the group had decided to skip a scenic view of some forts that Anuj had suggested, but we end up going there as the re-routing takes us only 15 minutes away. I for one am rather happy as I had wanted to do the forts anyway. The forts in question are Amber Fort, Sheesh Mahal Fort and Jaigarth Fort – three amazing looking forts in a row up on a hillside. The viewpoint from down below on the other side of a lake is amazing; a view of all the forts, as well as the lake and surrounding hills. The group, of course, take a butt load of photos!

After the forts we head to Jal Mahal, otherwise known as the Water Palace. Found in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake, the palace is another iconic symbol of the rich history of India and looks eerily calm, surrounded by nothing but water. While we are all taking photos Anuj buys some food to throw into the lake to feed the fishes. He is a little disappointed as none of the bigguns are out today – he says that sometimes the big ones get so excited you see them jump right out of the water.

Not so Classic Bollywood
(click on the top right hand icon)

Galta Mandir – a complex of several temples

One Life, three forts

Panna Meena ka Kund, a yellow-coloured stepwell built in the 16th century, next to Amber Fort

Jal Mahal (Water Palace) in the middle of Man Sagar Lake

Next, on our whirlwind tour of the city is the famous Hawa Mahal. A palace on the edge of old town, it is famous for its 998 windows that was used by female royalty to watch the comings and goings of Jaipur without having to leave the security or comfort of the palace. No one seems to be able to answer what I believe to be a fair question: why didn’t they add in just two more windows to get the even thousand? It is clearly a popular sight for photos, with us being just one of many crowds gathering for a photo shoot at this palace. It is apparently an ‘Insta must have’ if in Jaipur, which is probably why I have never heard of it, as I am about as in touch with pop culture as the residents of a retirement home!

Just two more windows!

After, we head back to the hotel to chill for a bit before dinner and what we believed would be a cultural dance show. The group take the opportunity to make the most of what is the first really clean pool we have come across. It is beautifully refreshing. The group ends up having a wrestle, or as Rachel and Will call it, a rastle, in the pool. Having just watched the movie, Deepest Breath about free diving, after being recommended it by Teddie my Maldives tour guide – a great movie by the way which I would recommend – I see how long I can hold my breath underwater. I get to about 70 seconds, which I am rather happy with to be honest! I admit during this time I am a little hangry as, after ignoring my hunger all morning, I didn’t feel quite right, so decide not to snack with the rest of the group. Looking back, a stupid decision.

But after the pool, a little rest and a shower I am excited for the cultural show and dinner. Donning my long sleeved-shirt for the first time, believing this will be a chilled evening, I come down to the table to find out the cultural show is actually a Bollywood dance lesson. Regretting the shower and long sleeves I nevertheless get instantly stuck in. Most of the group do – Holly and Tia exempt themselves claiming to only dance when drunk, a common and understandable stance, but the rest of us are up and ready to make fools of ourselves – and that we do! The instructor was full of energy and loads of fun. The problem was, as a group we weren’t very good at remembering all the moves or the counts, which led to a fun but somewhat messy dance lesson in the courtyard of our hotel. I imagine the family, that where quietly having their dinner before we showed up, were either thoroughly entertained or thoroughly put off their food, I am still not sure.

After our dance party we enjoyed a well earned buffet, full of lovely curries and sides. I proclaim to the group how much I love food – a ritual that has happened at every meal I have sat down to with them since the tour began and is starting to increasingly be met by eye rolls and “we know Tom.” But what is a man to do, I really do love food, especially Indian food! After dinner we all play another few rounds of Chase the Ace before heading to bed. Unfortunately for them, Holly and Tia have the room next to mine and Stu’s. They become victim to our childish antics once we discover the switch outside our rooms cuts off all the electricity to said room. Of course this is way too much temptation to cope with and starts a back and forth switching off of each others electricity. It is a fun, if somewhat childish, way to end another great day with new friends!