Today kicked off with a ‘local’ bus (with over 30 Intrepid travellers and only 10 locals on it) out of Agra.  Travelling on Indian roads is never dull! The bus regularly had to swerve to miss cows strolling on the street or potholes, and motorcycles cruised passed with entire families on-board – and not a helmet between them.   After 4 hours we jumped off the bus on the side of the road and were picked up by our mini-van, which would transport us for the next few days.

Another hour and a half of driving followed, this time through small, fairly basic looking towns with simple hut-style houses and small shops trading on the side of the street.  Brightly decorated, and spotlessly clean tractors are everywhere.

Intrepid classifies this trip as Original, which means pretty basic accommodation and as we headed through these towns to the village we were staying at, I think most of us assumed our accommodation for the night would be pretty simple.  That is until our van wound its way up a hill to a fortress that has been turned into accommodation!  With beautiful rooms, a grand courtyard and best of all a turret where we could sit, drink and watch the sunset!

Once settled in, and after devouring a scrumptious lunch, we headed down to the village for a guided tour.   The kids in the village were so cute and friendly, constantly asking you to take their photo and then wanting to see it, or proudly showing you their goat, or running off to get their baby sister or brother!    We also got to see some of the local craftspeople, making bracelets and pottery, and creating fabrics.

JAIPUR

The next morning, we were off again.   A few more hours on the road and we were in Jaipur where we had a two-night stay.  We started with the Amber Fort, which sits imposingly on the hill.  We wandered up to the Fort and were given a tour around.

Then it was a quick stop to check out the lake.

Our evening entertainment tonight was a Bollywood Blockbuster!  The theatre was incredibly grand, and this block-buster was a new release so the theatre was packed.  Although we had no idea what was going on for most of it, it was still incredibly entertaining with loads of musical numbers and incredibly vibrant scenery.  Thankfully our guide was able to fill us in on the story line!

With two days in Jaipur we had a bit of time to shop, with two Intrepid recommendations.  The first was a Batik shop to see all the beautiful fabrics common to this area and how they are made.  If only I had room in the back-pack!

The second was a jewelry shop – where I was like a kid in a candy store – it was three levels of incredible jewels, from the affordable to the insane.  I could have easily stayed there all day!

RANTHAMBHORE

This tour is also known as the Taj and Tigers tour and I was really looking forward to seeing a tiger.  However, having read how endangered they now are, and having Sharm repeatedly tell us it was unlikely we would see one, my expectations were pretty low.  Luckily when we got into Ranthambhore National Park we were immediately surrounded by so many other animals that it was always going to be a great experience.  All types of deer and families of pigs and more surrounded us.  Suddenly though we came across a number of trucks blocking the path, everyone staring off to one side.  With the help of camera zooms we were finally able to make out a few stripes beside a tree which we were informed was a tiger!

Soon after we arrived, other trucks did too and there was suddenly a traffic jam in the park!  And some road rage to go with it!  All the while our tiger slept on, occasionally raising her head for a moment before dropping back to sleep.  The arguing between the guides on each truck continued and trucks at the front slowly moved off to allow us all to move up.  We inched closer and closer, and finally were in the prime position… we could see her!  And that is when she decided to wake up.  It was such an incredible sight to watch her yawn and shake herself awake, then slowly stand and rub herself against a tree – just like a cat might.  Then she ambled off!