18/6- in the bus by 0830 and leaving Delhi for Mandawa in the south. Some interesting stuff along the highway on the way out of Delhi by way of odd high rise/industrial buildings. One of the sights we saw was a huge procession of Brahman cattle (some with massive horns) and we also stopped to buy some fruit by the roadside. The lychees I bought were sweet and moist. Ideal for our desert trek.
After a lunch break we moved on to Mandawa. As we got closer the environment changed to sand dunes. At Mandawa the bus couldn’t drive to our hotel gate due to the narrow laneways we were in so we walked the last few hundred metres. (Our bags were taken by porters to our rooms.) In 40 degree plus temps this wasn’t easy for us old farts but we got there!
Palace by name, palace by nature. Another brilliant hotel this one having been an actual fort. Our room was another amazing piece of architecture. A cavernous space like something from a Bollywood movie (it has in fact been used for this purpose). These first 5 pics are just of the reception lobby, the rest are different parts of the hotel/palace. Throughout the building were ancient wall paintings, antiques & photos/paintings. Hindu arches adorned each entrance and internal courtyards graced the residence. All in all another magnificent lodging.
These next pics are of our room which had columns, a lounge, a cushioned ‘lounging area’ on the floor by the windows and even a double ‘love swing’ from the ceiling. The bed was about the size of a football field although the bathroom was mediocre.
After check in we met up with the rest of the group (they were in separate hotel) and we all went on a walking tour of Mandawa. This area is famous for its mansions covered in Hindu art. we saw some places which in their heyday would have been fairytale like. As they are these buildings are glorious.
Shane spent at a bazaar to get a scarf & pants. Then we hit the hotel for sleep. Like so much we have photographed it is near impossible to have to cull pictures for posting.
Anyway that’s it for now. I have finally gotten some internet to catch up so I’m wanting to belt these out asap.
Cheers for now
Garry & Shane