Day 1
DAY ONE
Finally arrived in India after 10 hour flight! We had pre-booked a Taxi through the hotel (Hotel Rak International) we had booked in Delhi, before we left, online. We were immediately introduced to ‘indian time’ – take what they say and double it!!!
We arrived at our hotel on the Main Bazaar. It was in a bit of a haven off the main bazaar (however this does not mean quiet)!
When we got into our room -which was nice for five pounds a night, all we wanted to do was freshen up…BUT alas, Suzanna combination padlock from Millets wouldn’t budge! Convienetly the masters themeselves (Hotel Staff) were at the ready with a screwdriver and plyers to break the lock in under 10 seconds!
After the little drama we all enjoyed a COLD shower!
We decided to venture onto the main bazaar, and were immediately harassed by a autorickshaw driver, who promised to show where the ATM was and to get us a free map, all for 10Rs! Five minutes later we turn up at the ‘Government’s Official Tourist Office’ (uhum uhum).
We ended up staying there for three hours. In which we managed to haggle an amzing package:
- Private driver for 6 days (personal slave/bodyguard to us)
-5 deluxe Hotels
- a ticket for the Taj Mahal
- A safari ride
- Breakfast every day
- Train tickets from Jaipur to Goa
All for 230pounds each! We worked it out to be a pretty good deal, if all does go to plan! Plus we even got offered a job in sales!
After, we were driven around Delhi to see all of it famous but smelly sights!
DAY TWO – AGRA
After a four and a half hour (supposedly three) car journey in a car the size of a Fiesta we arrived in Agra. We dropped our stuff off in Hotel Alpine which was a little bit out of the way but clean and nice and had hot running water, and headed for the Taj Mahal. When we got there we were told not to get a guide or to believe anything the locals said. The cost of the ticket for us was 750 RS but for the locals it was 5! Cheek!
The Taj Mahal was a calm beautiful place in this hectic country. It felt sureal and amazing to be seeing one of the seven wonders of the world. However, for the locals, three white girls seemed much more of a tourist attraction and we ended up feeling like Cheryl Cole as we posed for a million photos with various Indian men! Tips for entering the Taj Mahal – no ciggarettes, lighters, food or drink – but you do get complimentary bottled water on entry, Also keep shoulder and legs covered out of respect!
Our time in Agra has fallen on the festival of Holy which has made getting around a little more difficult. The streets are a bit more lively and transport doesnt really run so those who do venture out onto the streets should be aware you may end up covered in paint and thrown water bombs at! We were advised as young white English girls not to go out on Holy (Monday morning) as the Indian men get rowdy after a few drinks/bottles!
DAY THREE – TRAVELLING TO THE NATIONAL PARK
The journey from Agra to Ranthambhore National Park takes 7 hours. Its a pretty interesting car ride as we drove through rural Indian villiages and accross miles of countryside. It gets a little bit more interesting if you get a flat tyre in t he middle of nowhere and even more interesting if you are held up at “branch point”. So what is branch point? The local “lads” with two large branches and a pile of stones blocked off the road and demanded money if we wanted to pass them. Our driver decided to get out of the car to be diplomatic but being the three drama queens we are, we started screaming at him to get in the car and run them over. He suprisingly listened and while managed not to run them over we did escape the 14 year old hooligans!
We were all a little bit tetchey with the driving and constantly being sold to. Especially when we were attempting to live off 200RS a daym- which we have managed so far by only eating 1 small meal a day (the new must-do diet) but this isn’t inclucing what we already paid for the package! When we arrived at our next hotel – Hotel Raj Palace it seemed like an Oasis. It was leafy green, pretty expensive looking and even had a swimming pool with sun loungers! The Hotels restaurant has nice but cheap food and we are really looking forward to working on our tans tomorrow – you know how Fiona HAS to be bronzed!
Update you soon with the next instalment!
Lots of Love, Fiona, Suzanna and Charlie xxxx
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March 3rd, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Hi Girls
Everything sounds great so far! No mention of the cost of booze at any of these places. Does that mean you are all on the wagon. Love the site. Keep it up. Will save a fortune on phone bills.
Take care