Jaipur

We arrived in Jaipur after a 5 hour bus ride. Unlike previous bus rides and Anthony and I have taken, this was pure luxury. A huge Volvo cruiser complete with AC and a bathroom and only the 12 people that are on our tour. We stopped for a quick lunch and then hit the road to head for the Pink City. Not because of its thriving gay population but because they covered the old city pink stucco. It is actually more of a salmon color but none the less it is required that shop keepers and building owners keep their buildings painted this god awful color.

Jaipur is considered by many urbanists to be one of the best planned cities. Almost all Northern Indian towns of that period presented a chaotic picture of narrow twisting lanes, a confusion of run-down forts/temples/palaces and temporary shacks that bore no resemblance at all to the principles set out in Hindu architectural manuals, which calls for strict geometric planning. Thus, for Sawai Jai Singh II and the Bengali Guru Vidyadhar (who was a'Shaspati' - Hindu Priest Architect), the founding of Jaipur was also a ritual and a golden opportunity to plan a whole town according to the principles of Hindu architectural theory. The town of Jaipur is in fact, built in the form of a nine-part Mandala known as the 'Pithapada'.

We visted the Amber Palace where we rode an elephant to the top of the hill it is situated on and then onto the Jantar Mantar astronomy park, a sophisticated collection of early 18th century structures designed to measure the movements of the stars, sun and planets.

We were entertained by the a member of the royal family - Mr Singh and his daughter- dancers, camel rides, village artisans and a delicious dinner. A tremendous send off complete with fireworks that you can't even buy in Mexico.