Our Delhi siteseeing started with a trip to a mosque. A part of Delhi has a high percentage of Muslims and the mosque can accommodate 25,000 people at a time. There are a number of sets (35 or so) up to the entrance where all of the women in a our group had to don robes. Any men wearing shorts
From Jaipur we headed down the highway (three lanes separated with white lines!) for Delhi. Along the route the driver pulled over when he saw a banana cart and monkeys at the side of the road. We hopped the barrier and Mansi bought bananas from the vendor so we could feed them and get photos. At least three of them
Adjacent to the observatory is the City Palace and museum. The architecture is similar to much of the other buildings we have seen. The work is impressive; beautiful colors, arches and courtyards. The eighteen year old king lives here and the flag was up indicating he was home. We didn’t get to visit with him. Apparently he is quite shy.
Jantar Mantar is an observatory started by Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur, in 1728. Jai Singh was a fan of city planning and war in addition to astronomy. One instrument is a sun dial and another calculates the time of year displaying the current astrological sign. During his reign four other observatories were constructed, this one is in the
We stopped at a textile place where we saw rugs being made by hand. They make rugs from cashmere, camel hair and silk. After the demonstration by the looms we were escorted into a show room with soft cushy stools, served fritters, grilled cheese sandwich snacks and rum and coke. The rugs were rolled out, some of each kind in
Jaipur is divided into the new city and the old city. The old city is a walled city with seven entrances and is painted a terra-cotta color. The nickname of this city is “Pink City” because in 1876 the Prince of Wales visited and it is said pink was his favorite color. So, they painted the city pink. Afterwards the
The step well is one of the oldest in Rajasthan, this part of India, and dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries. The step well is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a reservoir for water in the dessert like part of the country. Almost 20 meters deep there are steps on three sides of the well perfectly constructed,
Off the highway about a 20 minute drive is a village with a step well, an old temple and a school. We stopped at the school which Gate 1 Travel has helped build. Currently there are just over 380 students, 92 of them girls. We were able to hear the preschool kids recite their ABC’s and interact with some of
The nice thing about traveling by bus (besides the fact that it is air conditioned) is we get the opportunity to see the countryside and the people of this land. Mansi, our tour manager, is full of information. She will point things out and slow the bus if there is something to take a photo of. En route from Agra
All of our hotels have been very nice with fresh smelling sheets, clean bathrooms, and helpful staff. In Agra the Jaypee Palace was exceptional. As we walked in the building we were greeted with necklaces of marigolds. The staff is over the top friendly and helpful. The place is a huge complex with five restaurants. Anytime you might be lost