Saturday April 16th
Today we drove back into the national park one last time to visit the Ranthambhore Fort. It sits high up on the cliff, commanding a view of the entire valley. It is another huge fort built by the Moghuls. In order to protect it from attacks by raiders the entrance has a couple of sharp turns in it before you reach the actual gates, this to foil attackers who might arrive on elephants. It prevents the elephants from getting up a head of steam before smashing the gates down. The gate also had heavy metal spikes on it to injure the elephants if the try to push it down.
We wandered around looking at the ruins inside and watching the langur monkeys that live there. They are not afraid of humans as they are fed by pilgrams who come to this fort to offer prayers to one of their gods. The small temple receives more mail apparently than any other address in India (perhaps the world) because every marrying couple sends an invite to this god hoping to have their marriage blessed by him.
When we returned to the Tiger Moon Resort, we had to pack up and have lunch. I took advantage of the time to also have a last swim in the pool to cool off. Then we loaded on the bus for the four hour drive to Jaipur. Along the route I took lots of photos of the rural life and the chaos of the Indian roads, including the wrecked bus (check out what is right in front of it) and one of the home made trucks they make using a water pump as an engine. They are illegal, but no one in India stops them from driving them, or making them.
We arrived in Jaipur in the late afternoon, checked into the Ramada Hotel (which is very nice and has a pool on the roof). Paid for wi-fi and checked mail. Then Sameer took us all to a local restaurant which is another heritage hotel. Again it was home to a rich local man who has turned it into a bed and breakfast. The building is lovely and has large grounds out back. We ate in the yard and watched another demonstration of local dance, including a fire eater and a puppet show.
Another very interesting day in India.
The Conservative government has been touting it's success at securing Canada's borders. The new system setup "to foil attackers who might arrive on elephants" has worked so well that not one elephant attack has been recorded across the nation.
ReplyDeleteThe CPC Party of Canada: Fear Breeds Confidence!
Hi Joe,
ReplyDeleteHey, watch out for drunken elephants! It happens every year in India, they eat overripe formented fruit that has fallen from the trees and get all pissed up, then go on a rampage knocking down villages and (believe it or not!) pulling the clothing off of the terrified villagers!
(otherwise they are very peaceful, having sworn off war completely, unlike their less advanced human counterparts)
Bob Barker does not approve of those heavy metal spikes on the gates to "hurt the elephants" - nasty business.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy Jaipur Joe!
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