Day 5, Jaipur – Disclocated Day: Another Temple, Another Bier

Breakfast is becoming a social event. Gone are the days of each couple/trio sitting at their own tables. We now sit as a Group wherever we go. Everyone knows everyone else, it has taken time but we have gelled amazingly despite the age range of 18 – 80. For Hector, Breakfast is still Fruit and Eggs. There is no sign of anyone suffering, all is well.

Jaipur Birla Temple Bier-Traveller (1) The Birla Mandir Temple was the first destination in our second day in Jaipur. Nothing, except possibly the Taj Mahal, is going to beat yesterday and the Amber Fort. The Birla Mandir was superficially quite a modest building, and very white. On the hill above was the Moti Dungri Fort which was drawing my attention. Why are we not going up to the Fort?
Built in 1998, this is the most modern building we are likely to visit. Bhupi, our guide, informed us that icons from all religions are represented on the exterior. Perhaps, but not mine. Marg became interested in a group of Ladies in the sumptuous gardens. Were they taking flowers or planting them? A Jaipur Hen Night.

Outside the south side of the Old City, in the largest open area seen in Jaipur, lies the Albert Hall. The building itself initially was the attraction rather than the contents. However, having spent an hour inside there was enough to grab one’s attention. A photo of the largest – Bass – stringed instrument I have ever seen, minus the strings, was sent immediately to John Jowitt (Jadis, IQ, Arena). John even replied – not yet – when I suggested he had never played anything this big. The Egyptian Room brought back memories of Hector and Marg’s best ever holiday. Why do I no longer have a friend who works for Kuoni? Some of the models amused us both given the duplication of the photos taken. I took the Oppperchancity of checking out – The Facilities.

Yesterday we bought a carpet at a showroom, today Lunch was at another venue where spending our hard earned cash was a possibility. A Jewellery Store?

No chance. The Black Rum was declined, the Samosa today had Meat, Excellent, Spicy too.
We watched Chaps polishing stones then were taken into the Shop. Some did buy, the Ladies studied what was on offer, one by one the Chaps joined me at the settees in the middle of the room. We’ve had enough of this, time for some fun.

The Itinerary had suggested an optional Walking Tour of the Bazaar et al in the Walled City. Bhupi suggested instead we take a Rickshaw Ride. We were all up for this. The problem as ever, you cannot take your own photo, so thanks to Marie and Alex for sending the photo of Marg and Hector so quickly.

I had only spotted one Rickshaw with a Chap running on foot. In Jaipur the Rickshaws were all bicycles. Some of the Chaps who would do the work were in advanced years, we had a Young Chap. The gradients did not appear much, however, all the Drivers alighted whenever there was a slope.

Along the mains streets of the Old City, past the Hawa Mahal again, down the side lanes, past the cows, we were quite a convoy. Some lowered the sun canopy, we kept our’s in position, it was Hot today. A bottle of water was shared with Our Chap, he was grateful.

Here is the first chance to see the Group Members close up, as ever if anyone does not want their photo on this Website, tell me. Disaster for Hector! Memory Card Full. Why had I brought only one camera today?

At the end of the Ride we escaped! Time to ourselves, in daylight. Marg wanted to buy presents for her Sisters, Hector needed Quality Curry. With Buffet #4 due this evening, it was decided to eat first. As ever, the detail of the Excellent Curry at Niros Restaurant is in the usual place.
Trousers, Pantaloons, is what The Sisters are having. Bhupi advised that the shops had fixed prices, we could haggle a bit, but the price quoted would be – the price. We made the day for the shop we chose. A Cooperative, the Chaps were Students, returning to their studies soon and they needed cash for their books. No credit cards were accepted, Marg spent her Rupees, her Sterling, my Euros. What are the chances that the Sisters will wear these? Sadly, no photos.

Tuk-Tuk

We had to make our own way back to Shahpura House. On any other holiday we would have walked, a couple of kilometres, for us a stroll. This is India, we would have been harassed the whole way back. Ironically, we had to actually go and find a Tuk-Tuk stand. Rs 120 was the agreed fair. Bhupi had given us our address in Hindi, the Driver knew exactly where Devi Marg is in Bani Park. Sri Lanka was the last time we used a Tuk-Tuk. In Galle we ended up with our Own Chap who took us to the Hinterland, his Village. Then we had the time, not on this Trip.

Marg went for a Dip, Hector did some Blogging. It is going to take an age to Blog this Trip.

The Indian Night
Once again we assembled for a Buffet Dinner, this time at the Rooftop Restaurant at Shahpura House where Musicians and Dancers would entertain. A Glass of Wine was included, my first in India, not too shabby. Some went on to order the Bottle, to their sorrow. When they were later asked for in excess of £30.00 per Bottle they knew they had been had.

Hector’s long distance vision spotted a familiar label in the fridge. Stella Artois. So far, my only non-Indian Bier has been Belgian. A change from Kingfisher.
Brian had seen me use the Replacement Samsung on the Bus. Hector likes to know where he is, and where he is headed. Those lovely people at Vodafone only take £5.00 per day to Roam. I helped Brian set up the World Traveller on his phone, same network. Apparently I am a – Clever Chap.
Buffet #4 impressed, however, I did not do it justice, the Outstanding Fish Curry at Niros was still being digested.

Bier o’Clock
The 20-20 Cricket has reached the semi-finals, India were playing again this evening. Adrian had found another Source of Bier, even better he claimed than last night’s RDB Palace.
A couple of blocks away in our Bani Park Compound lies the Shakuntalam Bar & Restaurant. Why did we not find this two nights ago? Why did our Guides not know of this place?

The Group of Revellers included Adrian, Karen and Karina (wife and daughter), Alex, and Marie, Gail and Simon, Allison and Allan, Gio and Avril, Hector and Marg, plus Bhupi. A below ground venue, the place was stowed. The Locals were excited, India had a chance. We squeezed ourselves in. Fitting The Fourteen was not simple, some Locals moved to accommodate us.
Smoking!

Bhupi had – explained to us – how India came to ban smoking in all public places. Being fined for smoking on the street has basically made the disgusting habit disappear. To date, I had seen a handful of people smoking in all the thousands we have encountered. Ashtrays were on the table, four people near us were smoking. Fortunately the combination of fans and aircon kept the air clean.
The Menu

An impressive array of Curry Dishes were on offer. We were here for the Bier. The Prices were right. 650ml Bottles of Kingfisher Blue! It had to be ordered. A 6.0% Lager, this Bier has more body than the Super Strong at 8.0%. At last, a Swally. Here I am in Jaipur and no sign of this IPA, or any other.
Suffice to say, the Group had bonded even more by the time we departed. Bhupi watched, he was on duty.
India lost the Cricket, the place emptied. A Great Night, tomorrow we have an early train to catch. Where next?