India Day 6
I say good-bye to the staff at Orient Taj before heading towards Jaipur.
The road to Jaipur goes through many small towns that range from food stalls to mile after mile of truck part shops...
Bikers are everywhere...
Having to navigate through congested narrow streets with tons of people...
For hours...it seems, but after getting through about 1 hour of traffic we end up on a more rural road...
But not yet...
Traffic Jam..
fruit stands
Racing Ox down the street
2-way traffic on a 1 way street...people drive wrong way down the road an wave at you to let you know they are coming, but don't forget the constant beep, beep of the car horns..hello I'm here...beep, beep. I'm passing you, beep, beep, I'm almost past you, beep, beep,...thanks for passing me and honking, beep, beep...
Finally on the hwy...with Fatehpur Sikri in the distance...one quick stop on the way to Jaipur...
Fatehpur Sikri-a bit about it...The Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri is a mosque in Agra,
completed in 1571. Worship there is currently led by a Barelvi imam.
The mosque marks the phase of transition in Islamic art, as
indigenous architectural elements were blended with Persian elements. The
pillared dalan of the facade, the liwan with three arched openings framed by
panels and crowned by five chhatris and the central mihrab adorned with an
inlaid mosaic of stones that are bordered by glazed tiles, and it has golden
inscriptions on a royal blue background, a tribute to this fusion.
The
interiors of the iwan are adorned with watercolor paintings depicting stylized
floral designs. The dado panels, spandrels of arch and soffits are painted
profusely. Unlike other monuments, where domes are supported on squinches, here
corbelled pendentives support the dome.
The Buland Darwaza and the Tomb of Salim Chishti are also a part of the mosque complex.
The road to Jaipur continues for 4 more hours...
We arrive at our first site inspection around 1 pm at the Trident Hotel Agra (4 star-Taj properties, but different brand)
The Trident has a great view of the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) in Jaipur lake .
Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber.
The Jal Mahal palace has got an eye-popping makeover. Traditional boat-makers from Vrindavan have crafted the Rajput style wooden boats. A gentle splashing of oars on the clear lake waters takes you to Jal Mahal. You move past decorated hallways and chambers on the first floor to climb all the way up to the fragrant Chameli Bagh. Across the lake, you can view the Aravalli hills, dotted with temples and ancient forts, and on the other side, bustling Jaipur.
The most remarkable change is in the lake itself. The drains were diverted, two million tons of toxic silt was dredged from the bottom, increasing its depth by over a meter, a water treatment system was developed, local vegetation and fish reintroduced, the surrounding wetlands regenerated and five nesting islands created to attract migratory birds.
A standard room with garden view.The lobby...
A view from the Trident Hotel to Jal Mahal from a room's terrace...
Trident Jaipur has a great pool!
We had a good Mogul Curry with assorted breads with the manager...
You can see the goat curry I had...goat is better than lamb by far!
This was the view of Jal Mahal from the Tridents front door...
Off through old Jaipur to another site inspection...
Old Jaipur...
Drive past the music hall...built in the 19th century by the British...
Next site inspection was the Samode Haveli...
Alsisar Haveli lies tucked away in the heart of Pink City of Jaipur. Refurbished in 1982, The Haveli has been aesthetically restored, incorporating in itself the grandeur of traditional Rajput architecture. A rambling courtyard dominates the front façade of the Haveli.
This area was once used for get-togethers by the men folk of the house, it is now open for guests to enjoy food and drink while they witness puppet shows and folk dance performances. Well manicured gardens and a rippling marble fountain surrounded by lush greenery provide a haven of serenity for a weary traveler.
A quaint patio ("chowk"), almost a century ago used by the ladies of the house, it is now open to guests for a tête-à-tête. Its magnificent ambience captures the romance and grandeur of another century. It promises to be a magical experience.
For those of you who want a laid back and true experience of Indian home stay, we suggest you stay at 'SriNiwas Country Homes'.
Owned by a traditional Rajput family you will love the atmosphere of living in the country side in luxurious ambiance and near a village.
The rooms seemed large with low doorways-seemed
a good 4 star historical property with interesting shaped rooms.
The pool
This is a suite
The sitting area for coffee and internet
The Taj Rumbagh Palace hotel...OMG!!!
Walk from room to room among rich textures, opulent
furnishings and exquisite objects d’art. Step out into expansive, ornamental
gardens arranged in brilliant symmetry. Retire to rooms that were once the
sanctuaries of kings, princes and their guests. Rambagh Palace exudes an
unmistakable sense of history. It’s an architectural masterpiece that
transcends time.
Get greeted in style!
The front entrance to this 200 year old former royal palace, now a hotel!!!
The inner courtyard...this hotel is so opulent it is AMAZING!
They say the spa is amazing too.
You can really tell this is a palace...this is just a lobby!
Can you say 'fit for a king"? Every room is unique and done up to the hilt. The standard rooms look like suites...with 20 foot tall ceilings and great fabrics everywhere.
At night it looks lovely with mood lighting too!
What a restaurant (used to be the ball room).
OK, Now my hotel... Sheratan 4 points for two nights...clean and located in the new area.
The pool was good and about on the 5th floor...
The lobby was bright and clean-good 4 star or upper 3 star business hotel.
My room was clean and on the 7th floor (out of 8 floors).
Dinner and site inspection at the Sheraton Rajputana hotel.
Experience the finest Jaipur has to offer at the Sheraton Rajputana Palace Hotel, Jaipur. They offer good accommodations in the city with a host of comforts and services in settings that reflect the spirit of Rajasthan and its royalty.
Just 15 kilometers from the airport and half a kilometer from the city center our regal-influenced design and gardens echo the city’s history.
Retreat to 218 guest rooms and take in the view from your balcony while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee.
Dinner was buffet Indian food...was good for a buffet.
Back to the hotel...
The rectangular mosque comprises a central nave with a
single dome, two colonnaded halls on either side, with two square chambers
crowned with domes. Carved mihrabs adorn the main chamber and the two smaller
rooms.
The Buland Darwaza and the Tomb of Salim Chishti are also a part of the mosque complex.
We arrive at our first site inspection around 1 pm at the Trident Hotel Agra (4 star-Taj properties, but different brand)
The Trident has a great view of the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) in Jaipur lake .
Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber.
The Jal Mahal palace has got an eye-popping makeover. Traditional boat-makers from Vrindavan have crafted the Rajput style wooden boats. A gentle splashing of oars on the clear lake waters takes you to Jal Mahal. You move past decorated hallways and chambers on the first floor to climb all the way up to the fragrant Chameli Bagh. Across the lake, you can view the Aravalli hills, dotted with temples and ancient forts, and on the other side, bustling Jaipur.
The most remarkable change is in the lake itself. The drains were diverted, two million tons of toxic silt was dredged from the bottom, increasing its depth by over a meter, a water treatment system was developed, local vegetation and fish reintroduced, the surrounding wetlands regenerated and five nesting islands created to attract migratory birds.
A standard room with garden view.The lobby...
A view from the Trident Hotel to Jal Mahal from a room's terrace...
Trident Jaipur has a great pool!
We had a good Mogul Curry with assorted breads with the manager...
You can see the goat curry I had...goat is better than lamb by far!
Next site inspection was the Samode Haveli...
Alsisar Haveli lies tucked away in the heart of Pink City of Jaipur. Refurbished in 1982, The Haveli has been aesthetically restored, incorporating in itself the grandeur of traditional Rajput architecture. A rambling courtyard dominates the front façade of the Haveli.
This area was once used for get-togethers by the men folk of the house, it is now open for guests to enjoy food and drink while they witness puppet shows and folk dance performances. Well manicured gardens and a rippling marble fountain surrounded by lush greenery provide a haven of serenity for a weary traveler.
A quaint patio ("chowk"), almost a century ago used by the ladies of the house, it is now open to guests for a tête-à-tête. Its magnificent ambience captures the romance and grandeur of another century. It promises to be a magical experience.
For those of you who want a laid back and true experience of Indian home stay, we suggest you stay at 'SriNiwas Country Homes'.
The inner courtyard...this hotel is so opulent it is AMAZING!
OK, Now my hotel... Sheratan 4 points for two nights...clean and located in the new area.
The pool was good and about on the 5th floor...
My room was clean and on the 7th floor (out of 8 floors).
Dinner and site inspection at the Sheraton Rajputana hotel.
You’ll wake up the next
morning feeling absolutely refreshed and rejuvenated.
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