Amber Fort, Jaipur

Padmaja, our guide pets the charmer's black cobra. Although she insisted the teeth had been removed from the snake, we had heard the mouths are actually sewn shut. Either way, we passed on petting the cobra.
















One of our favorite marble panels in the living section of the Amber Fort. There were many of these panels, but all different, in a covered outdoor walkway.










We always find the doors of forts and palaces fascinating. Note the ornate carving and the ceiling decor.

From the courtyard of the Amber Fort, we see it is much more like a palace than a fort. This beautiful archway leads to the living quarters. Notice the carved marble screens on the second and third floors for the ladies to see and not be seen.

Much of the fort has gone or is going through restorations in the traditional methods. In this hallway you can see the intricate painting and mirrored tiles.

Jaipur, the Amber Fort

There are so many beautiful forts in India due to the number of states and "statesmen, warlords, Maharajas..."
Each is, of course, unique.
The Amber Fort, (pronounced Amer,) is more of a palace with benefits. It was built in the 16th century on four levels. There are walls and towers to guard the fort but inside it is beautifully sculpted and painted.


Outside the fort was a small village, mostly in ruins today. Looking closely we noticed laundry hanging in the sun, evidence that people still live here.

At breakfast, Jon asked for fruit. Little did the waiter know that the fruit was to be a snack for an elephant. These beautiful animals are used to haul paying tourists up to the Amber Fort. Bowing to public outrage, the elephants have better working hours and are not required to carry huge loads. Hmmm... When finished feeding the elephant, the mahout wanted Jon to pay for the pleasure! I took this photo across four lanes of traffic.

Along the road to Jaipur

Traveling by coach allows us the opportunity to see life out of the larger cities. Share the road!
Most village areas have a community well, many of them along the road most taken. These children are washing containers, the largest used to take water back home.

In every village along the road we see markets with fruits and vegetables. When you have no refridgerator at home, you buy fresh food daily.

Delhi

Every developing country has it's own system of wiring. Don't try this at home!

A bronze of Ghandi outside the home in which he stayed in Delhi. From here, there are concrete footprints leading to the place where he was assassinated, yards away.

The cat of Jama Masjid, the only cat we ever saw in India.

Is there child labor in India? Of course! It is still a developing nation, especially in the north. This young man is carrying boxes of silk, more bulky than heavy.

Delhi

OK, so this photo should be last on this post. I'll get the hang of blogging bit by bit. This is a beautiful view of the largest Mosque in India, Jama Masjid.

In Delhi we see so many contrasts. In my posts, you'll see the word "contrasts" over and over. There is no other word to describe the differences we see in people, places and things. This is the first photo I took in Delhi. This man is washing in the Yamuna River. His bicycle, which operates by hand, was provided by the government as the owner is disabled.

Although India is mostly Hindu, Islam is second in religious belief. Jama Masjid, in Delhi, is the largest Mosque in India. Here, you see Muslims who have washed their hands and feet before prayers.

Photos

After grueling flights from Seattle to Chicago to London to Delhi, we arrived in Delhi. After a short stay in Delhi, we traveled to Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi and back to Delhi. Most travel was by coach between cities although we did ride the rails and a few planes. Our tour was with Overseas Adventure Travel and had just 15 members. Although we started in Delhi, this is the only photo of us in India. Much earlier on this day, Dennise became very ill (Meniere's disease) and could not accompany Jon and the group to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

India

Our travels in India will take some time to put together. The places, the people, everything! It was a wonderful experience not to be missed.

Bit by bit, the story will come out but for now, let's start with a few photos.