Arriving in Jaipur mid-afternoon yesterday, our Group of Intrepid Travellers caught a first glimpse of the Splendour that is – The Pink City. Terra Cotta is more accurate.
Having failed to discover any out-of-hotel Hostelry, it was back to the Shahpura House Hotel for a Bier, but not before Hector and Marg went Vegetarian at the surprisingly good Chit Chat Restaurant.
The Bar was not staffed, to sit in this room would have been naff, there is a pool-side garden where some had chosen to eat their evening meal. Erdinger Weizen was available vom Fass, however the price was laughable, even more-so when the Chap held up the glass. Hoegarden it was, tastier and hopefully not such a rip-off. Allan and Allison joined us after they had dined. An early night was called for after our rather lengthy journey from New Delhi via Patan.
*
Amber Fort
Stunning! The 11km drive from Jaipur to Amer did not take long. Jaipur is much smaller than New Delhi thus traffic is less hectic. Still, every driver has to – Toot-Toot – at every Opperchancity. We stopped off at Man Sagar, the Jaipur Lake, to pick up three of The Company who had left at dawn to take a Balloon Ride. Last night we had speculated who – The Three – were. We were stunned when Brian and Chris , a couple in their 80’s, boarded the Bus. Brian, like Hector, has a fear of heights. They were amused that the third Balloonist, Avril, had to pay extra for insurance, the octogenarians were too old to be insured!
As we reached the edge the town of Amer, the Bus was parked at the edge of the Maota Lake. Amber Fort dates back to the sixteenth century, not content with one hilltop fort, there appeared to be fortifications everywhere. This was going to be a visit of many photos.
Some ascend directly to the courtyard of the Amber Fort by Elephant. Rosemary, our 
British Guide explained that due to insurance, we would be driven by a fleet of Jeeps. Yesterday Camel-pulled carts, today Jeeps, what next?
One is learning that as with Egyptian Temples, one enters through an elaborate gateway to a courtyard, one then progresses through another gateway to yet another courtyard, and so on. The architecture speaks for itself.
The highest areas afford views of the town of Amer, the surrounding hills with both fortifications and a wall which inevitably makes one think of China. Amber Fort, the highlight of The Trip. As we left the Amber Fort we encountered the largest of Cooking Pots, imagine the Curry-Heute.
We stopped once again at Man Sagar this time to take photos of Jah Mahal, – The Floating Palace. So, we were not taking the boat out then? We have not been in a boat. We would only ever see the Hawa Mahal in passing also. A return trip to Jaipur required?
Which stop off cannot be avoided on a tour?
Shree Carpet & Textile Mahal
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Lunch today was at a Carpet and Textile Workshop. Before going indoors, we were shown the skills of dye printing, Tina volunteered to have a go. We marvelled at the Chaps and Chapattisworking away weaving carpets, then we were taken inside.
Black Rum had been mentioned. Black Rum at Lunchtime? Why not. A Vegetable Samosa was well received, the banana declined. That’s no longer a Banana.
The carpets were rolled out across the floor in the time honoured fashion we have all witnessed in Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia and Maroc. Wonderful carpets, the years taken to create them appreciated by all. If only we had a mansion with laminate floors, and unlimited funds. In a group of twenty, you might expect one couple to buy a carpet.
Something happened
What would have been described as a – Fireside Rug – in bygone days was announced as affordable, but still there’s getting it home. They knew what they were doing. The rug was folded into little more than an – LP – sized bundle then put in a cloth carrier, hand luggage! Better still, having travelled to India with a half-full bag, Hector knew this would fit, sorted. Somehow Marg declared this to be a Birthday Present. Just what I always wanted. About half of The Group bought a carpet, one couple a serious one.
They weren’t finished
Another room housed the Textiles. Whilst Marg studied various uninteresting items, Hector spotted – The Indian Shirt.
The one I purchased in Sri Lanka no longer fits. Off the shelf? No chance. Made to measure. We shall deliver it to your hotel at 9pm this evening. This was a Birthday Present.
We had seen the wonder that is the Amber Fort, we had been Shopping, we had been plied with alcohol, another Temple? It became apparent just how compact the sights of Jaipur are. A – Snake Charmer – was encountered at the entrance to the City Palace, Rs 100.
Impressive as the City Palace may be, after the Amber Fort was maybe one too many today. The temperature was now 39°C, we were spending an increasing amount of time meeting Bhupi – in the shade. The City Palace also houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, but Marg and Hector have done a Museum this year in Athena. There’s two of them?
Jantar Mantar Observatory
We needed something completely different, this was it. We have all seen – Sundials – but not on this scale. Before the Digital Age were analogue instruments, the larger the instrument the greater the degree of accuracy. We had a – Special Guide – ‘to explain how’ the clocks and calendars worked. A cold drink, at for once a realistic price – Everyone back on the Bus.
Back at the Shahpura House, Marg took the Opperchancity to have a swim in the small pool. Hector considered the pool to be too small to get wet in. A rare chance to get some Blogging done.
A Big Bier
Tonight we were driven a few blocks to a Family Home where we given an Indian Cookery Demonstration. Hector, sitting beside Simon and Gail from Leeds, was one of the – Fortunate Five – to be offered a Bier. A red tin of Kingfisher, 500ml too! It was only half chilled, still.
*
Super Strong (Kingfisher, India) is an 8% Lager. This is a serious Bier, it went down far too easily for a Bier of this strength. Posting a photo online led Mr. Snax to come back with a suggestion, I should look for Kingfisher Blue.
Dinner was a Buffet following the Cookery Demonstration. My Indian Shirt arrived at 21.00! Driven back to the Hotel, we were let loose. Adrian had been successful in finding an affordable source of Cold Bier last evening. Adrian led Allan, Allison, Hector, Marg and now Alex and Maria to the rooftop of a nearby hotel.
The RDB Palace is a much more modest establishment than where we are residing. Last night, Adrian had apparently asked someone at the Wine Shop where he 
could get a Cold Bier, and was shown here. A good tactic. Behold, 660ml Bottles of the Kingfisher Super Strong. Mein Host had to go out for more. Marg and Maria kept to Soft Drinks, Allison ordered Sprite such that a Shandy could be created. The Chaps were sharing, still not a – Swally. The Cargo arrived, this is better. The price? Rs 150, a half to a third of what we have been paying in Hotels, but twice the volume.
Good night.
Food, Rum and Bier today:
Shahpura House – D 257 Devi Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur, Rajahstan, 302016, India
Shree Carpet & Textile Mahal – Zorowar Amber, Jorowar Singh Gate, Amer Rd., Brahmpuri, Jaipur, Rajahstan, 302002, India
An Unknown House – Sawai Jai Singh Highway, Bani Park, Jaipur, Rajahstan, India
RDB Palace – 4 Kabir Marg, Subash Nagar, Sen Colony, Bani Park, Jaipur, Rajahstan, 302016, India
India Trip 2016 – Day 5, Jaipur – Disclocated Day: Another Temple, Another Bier
Pingback: Day 5, Jaipur – Disclocated Day: Another Temple, Another Bier | The Bier-Traveller