Early rise and then off to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve at 6:30 a.m. . It is a reserve for around 80 tigers. Cars are only allowed in about 1/4 of the park. It reminded me a bit of a reserve in Tanzania we went to with how dry it was a mix of vegetation that was just starting to bud. We are able to see several different kinds of deer and antelopes we hadn’t seen before. The most interesting were the Blue Antelopes that literally look like a deep indigo blue color and almost looks like a horse but it has a small deer like head. We also saw several Kingfisher birds and then dozens of huge peacocks and peafowls. I don’t know if I have been to a place where they are indigenous and are everywhere out in the wild. They looked so royal with their bright blue up against huge Banyan trees everywhere. We saw a monitor camping out in a tree, crocodile dipping into a pong, and tons of monkeys which were so active and jumping around everywhere. Sadly no Tigers. They are hard to find since it is also a reserve and in order to really spot one you do really need to be lucky. I did have a flashback being back in Africa bounding around in an open air 4 wheel ride. It also made me grateful that I wasn’t doing too much safari time since it is so tiering being out in the dirty on bumpy roads all day.
We made it back to the train around 10 a.m. and went right to breakfast. As we sat in the dining car eating breakfast outside could not see in and so it was so interesting to sit there and just watch train life. I know it is a little bit creeper but not that I am watching with any judgement but it’s nice to just observe life at the station. We set a time lapse and it captured it perfectly. After lunch we headed back to our room to take a couple advil and get caught up on our blogs. Hard when we are doing tons and on the move to always be up on our blogs. It has been relaxing to lay in bed and look out the window while writing my blog this afternoon. There is so much to see outside this window. We are truly in a bubble on the train, but grateful that we get to see parts of India we wouldn’t otherwise: women in saris tending fields, makeshift houses near the railways, people seeking shelter from the hot days,….
In the afternoon we went to Jaipur on the train. It was fun to be able to watch the world go by from the train. We haven’t had any opportunity to really do that during daylight hours. We passed through the countryside where women were tending the fields, which are mostly dry now since it is summer,and their bright red saris against the golden dry backdrop was really captivating. We arrived in Jaipur and had our own guide take us around. We visited a huge pink fort on the top of the mountain which was gigantic and had an almost Great Wall of China looking pink wall around what was a city in old days. It was constructed by a Hindu Maharaja who ruled in this area and the city grew so large that it moved down the hill into what is now known as Jaipur. The castle and fortress was huge and had spectacular views as it sitting on the top of the hill and then looking down onto a large garden area. The walls made it just picture perfect and so much of the castle is still intact. The current Maharaja family still owns part of this palace fort but have opened to the public to be able to afford to maintain it.
When we came back into the city we spent some time shopping. The area is known for emeralds for the most part and textiles. I wasn’t interested in purchasing emeralds but wanted to find a couple tunics. We visited a couple shops before I found something that I just loved- which turned out to be an antique skirt patched with some old saris. I loved it and purchased it along with a couple of tops.
Following our shopping we were taken to the city palace and now still private residence of the Maharaja family that has been living in this area and no longer rulers but wealthy family and benefactor of Jaipur. We toured the rooms and private reception area of the family which included a gorgeous Lalique table and exquisite chandeliers and photos of some of the significant guests they had welcomed in this room from Lady Diana and Prince Charles to President Bill Clinton. The castle lit up at night was spectacular. As the sun was setting we could hear horns blowing and music playing and were led into the Maharaja’s courtyard where we were greeted by painted elephants and welcome drinks. We took turns taking rides on the elephants and painting them. I had never seem the elephants all painted up and it was so beautiful. Following we made our way to the palace’s main dining room which fitted almost 50 of us around one table!
Before dinner Sam was able to take a doxycycline pill. This morning Sam’s knee had swollen and we knew it was the Lyme disease rearing it’s head again. He had taken a dose of doxycycline when the Lyme showed up last November and it seemed to have it all under control by end of December with some swelling remaining but it had almost all gone down. When yesterday afternoon his knee began swelling we were concerned. Then today it had grown a lot. We had ice and were taking advil and received to have begun the 28 cycle of doxy. Thank heavens the train was able to send someone for it and for Sam’s doctor who sent me a text with a photo of the prescription. So after dinner we were ready to get back on the train and elevate it and ice and wait till we could take another pill.
As the train was pullling out this night it was so rough, I thought for sure we were going to be rocked right out of our beds. I opted a sleeping pill which I have only taken 1 outside tonight’s in these past 5 months of traveling. It worked like a charm and I was out.
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