Fri - October 1, 2004

Friday, October 1, 2004 (Delhi - India)


Sending parcels home. Cinemas, Internet and business cards. Trying desperately to arrange our next flight leg. Making final payments and transportation arrangements.

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Thu - September 30, 2004

Thursday, September 30, 2004 (Delhi - India)


Saving the best till last but the day had auspicious beginnings. Another class of carriage for us to experience but how finding our seats was still a challenge. In-flight services. Still getting better at handling touts and rickshaw drivers. Our first cycle rickshaw. No cell phones or tripods allowed?! The majestic Taj Mahal in all its timeless glory. Squirrels and parrots. A quick trip to the Amber Fort was interrupted by the promise of an earlier departure.

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Wed - September 29, 2004

Wednesday, September 29, 2004 (Delhi - India)


India has worn us down and we are loosing our desire for site seeing. Deprived of any indication of the time makes for a very slow morning. Time to lighten our load. We can only take so much Indian food. Will Japan make it into our schedule or not? Always more logistical problems to work through. Staying in touch with home. Wait-listed for our flight out. A few souvenirs to remember India by.

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Tue - September 28, 2004

Tuesday, September 28, 2004 (Delhi - India)


Budget is one thing but even we have our standards. Time for another well deserved rest. Indian cuisine is rapidly loosing its appeal. Learning how not to get ripped off. An American restaurant in India is not quite an American restaurant. Can you please lie for me sir? To squat or not to squat - more training clearly required.

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Mon - September 27, 2004

Monday, September 27, 2004 (Alwar - India)


Getting up this early in the morning shouldn't e allowed when you are on holiday. More of the same on the safari trail. A ride into town after settling up. A nondescript town where few tourist dare to tread. Just exactly how many things can go wrong at a train station anyway? Finally on a train but not the one we had planned on. The centre of attention until boarding the train bound to Delhi, and not Agra.

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Sun - September 26, 2004

Sunday, September 26, 2004 (Sariska Tiger Reserve - India)


Enough of this resting rubbish. In search of a Tiger. The end of India in our sights. A typical Indian taxi. Limited accommodation options and we are left with the bottom of the barrel. How to book a safari. Game for game until the light fades but where to eat? If all else fails, spend your way out of trouble.

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Sat - September 25, 2004

Saturday, September 25, 2004 (Jaipur - India)


Could travelling really be this easy? A radical change to the morning routine. And now for some more tourist activities. More royal monuments. The rickshaw can only go so far. The fort at the top of the hill. Delhi belly finally strikes. trying to buy train tickets. Good old American fast food.

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Fri - September 24, 2004

Friday, September 24, 2004 (Jaipur - India)


Another trip on the overnight train but sleep was not on everyone's mind. Being psychologically prepared for the onslaught. A hotel that made us forget we were in India. Two night's sleep in just one night. We've only just got here and are already planning to leave. Getting our bearings at the tourist information office. The City Palace was nice but the Observatory held our interest. Our first MacChicken burger. A moral dilemma. To hook up or not to hook up.

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Thu - September 23, 2004

Thursday, September 23, 2004 (Train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur)


A relaxing finish to a relaxing visit. Checking out the last few things to see and do. Logistically looking ahead. The prime minister's residence. An unexpected palace. Playing cards with the locals. A new look on the Indian trains.

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Wed - September 22, 2004

Wednesday, September 22, 2004 (Jaisalmer - India)


More relaxation on the agenda. getting to grips with the rickshaw drivers. Not just camel safaris attract people to Jaisalmer. The fort and the splendour of the Jain temples left us speechless. Of bats and priests. Too hot to walk, talk or even move. Tending to chores back in the hotel. Another train journey is on the cards. Preparing ourselves for the rigours of Jaipur.

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Tue - September 21, 2004

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 (Jaisalmer - India)


Our first experience with the 'romance' of the Indian trains. Navigating the sleeping masses. This is definitely not what we expected. How to put a sheet into a bed you are already sleeping in. Besieged upon arrival in Jaisalmer. Searching for the right man. Please let the room have a functional air conditioner. Where is my towel!? Just one calamity after another. Starting to appreciate Jaisalmer and our best meal yet.

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Mon - September 20, 2004

Monday, September 20, 2004 (Jodhpur - India)


Jodhpur not such a bad place after all but just one night should be all that is necessary. An audio tour of the main attraction is constantly interrupted with some interesting encounters with villagers. Chilling out at the royal burial memorial. The seedy rickshaw driver. Exchanging anecdotes with other travellers. Waiting to catch the train.

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Sun - September 19, 2004

Sunday, September 19, 2004 (Taxi from Udaipur to Jodhpur)


An early departure from Udaipur. A taxi ride out of the city. Some wonderful sights along the way include a mountain peak fort and a fantastic Jain temple but where are my legs? Not a good first impression of Jodhpur as we struggle to find our place. How many things can go wrong in such a short space of time? The menu from hell.

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Sat - September 18, 2004

Saturday, September 18, 2004 (Udaipur - India)


Our last day in Udaipur. Kids and cricket on a slow day. Ganesh raises his head and trunk. How to make an Indian phone call that doesn't cost the earth. Knowing who is and who isn't your friend. Could you turn that sari down a bit please?

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Fri - September 17, 2004

Friday, September 17, 2004 (Udaipur - India)


Another day on the tourist trail through Udaipur starts with a specific traveller's routine. Domed monuments to the maharajas of times gone. Strolling through a garden and becoming the attraction. A very nice lunch but I doubt we will eat there again. Good art and great art and how to tell the difference. The sites and sounds of Udaipur, James Bond style.

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Thu - September 16, 2004

Thursday, September 16, 2004 (Udaipur - India)


Have we only been here two days so far? Tourist mode kicks in as we take in the sited of Udaipur. Of temples and palaces and being waited on hand and foot. A trembling wallet and a mouthful of flames. Heading for the monsoon whilst trying to avoid being eaten by tigers and leopards and bumping into a Bollywood star in the making. The artful apprentice and the elephant.

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Wed - September 15, 2004

Wednesday, September 15, 2004 (Mumbai & Udaipur - India)


A continuation of the previous trip. A hearty breakfast starts the day. Why are we not killing each other already? A peaceful and restful flight into India but our body clocks need adjusting. Crossing the threshold into a new country and the usual chores await us. Trouble with ticketing. A frightening bus ride across the runway. Our first meal in India was not a culinary success. A hellish taxi ride to rival even Cairo. Trusting our guidebook. The serene view of Udaipur and a nap after breakfast. A rickshaw ride through another world. Avoiding being eaten by tigers. Our first real Indian meal was very much a success. Why haggle over a dollar and the state of the local tourist industry.

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