North India Tour - Day 4

Ram picked us up after breakfast for a leisurely 180 km to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.  We are stopping along the way to visit another deserted city.  The countryside is dotted with these once great places that have been abandoned as ancient rulers decided that they would move on and build a new residence.

The history of the North is one of power and war with the strongest surviving.  This place was no exception - a temple surrounded by residences and courts all laid out to give the best vantage points against those who would attack you.

It was worth the visit but like most  cultural things we have seen so far, with the exception of the Taj Mahal, it was in a dreadful state of disrepair and management.

The Hindu Temple here is devoted to Hanuman, the Hindu Monkey God so obviously the place was full of monkeys.

Again, they do as they like and move around doing what the please.

Even in its current state of disrepair it is spectacular.  Built into a ravine with hundreds of steps to climb.  Halfway up there is a pool with lots of kids swimming in it.  It does not look inviting at all but they are having a ball.

We spent quite a bit of time looking, then headed back down to meet Ram and head off to Jaipur.

It was a good trip with the usual sights of overcrowded transport vehicles, camels and the constant noise of horns as cars neared each other.

Jaipur is a lovely city - about the same size as Brisbane. Quite busy and the young people dress in modern clothes. We had a long walk from our hotel up the road.  It is clean, full of mango sellers and others eking out a living somehow.  We walk for about 2 km then catch an auto home.