Friday, Feb 15: Early morning check out for the long, dusty, bumpy drive to Jaipur. We were all too intrigued to sleep though, with all the sights, sounds, and smells to take in.
We shared the roadway with an endless stream of trucks inviting us to honk, tuk tuk cabs designed for two persons plus a driver, but packed with 10 people, carts pulled by camels with turbaned drivers, motorcyles, and autos -- all bumper to bumper and ignoring the rules of the road and the laws of sanity.
We passed business districts, farms, open air vegetable and spice markets, butcher shops that made you think seriously about vegetarianism, cows, sheep and elephants mingling with people, and counted the people along the road squatting to relieve themselves (31).
Around 2:00 we finally arrived at the Shiv Vilas resort outside of Jaipur for our site inspection and lunch. What an incredible hotel! It is a replica of a Maharaja's palace and is the most opulant place most of us had ever seen. Inlaid marble, cut crystal chandeliers, gold leaf work, Italian silk upholstery, and beautiful hand carved furniture adorned every inch of its many ballrooms, lobbies, restaurants, and luxurious suites.
Our multi course lunch was the best meal we have experienced yet, served on the finest china.
We finally said our goodbyes to our hosts and drove the last 10 ks to our Jaipur hotel, Country Inn and Suites. Not quite the same, but we did enjoy a nice buffet dinner at the end of the day.
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