Post 2 from India

Oops didn’t realize I failed to finish the last post, so I will do that now.

We saw the most amazing astronomical/astrological observatory. There is a sundial that is the world’s largest and has an accuracy with two seconds. It is unbelievable. Along with the astronomical there were astrological sundials. They are able to be very accurate with the horoscopes because of these. We found out just how important the horoscopes are to the people here. They use it in choosing not only a spouse but also the date of the wedding. There are only certain days one can marry and one finds out which one by the horoscope.

I have photos of a lot of different things. When I can post photos, I will also post about what it is.

We have had no internet in our hotel in Jaipur. We were hoping for internet in Rathemore, but that is not to be. We arrived here just a few minutes ago. This resort is not what we were expecting. We were presented with leis as we arrived. We have two large rooms joined by a common patio. The resort consists of several of these little ‘duplexes’ in a very tropical setting. Flowers and birds are everywhere. They told us we should dress warmly for our safari –

The phone rang as I was tying the above and we were told our guide was here, and we should go down immediately. We did.

I don’t think the guide got my humor. He asked if it was our first time. I said yes. He then said, “you have never been on safari before?” I said, “No, have you?” I felt bad because then he tried to explain he was my guide and I explained I was teasing. By the end of the trip, he was actually teasing back, so I guess he caught on. In fact, I think he made him self laugh by joking with me. He was very nice. He used to be a driver, but now he is a guide. He said the park is only open 9 months a year. Only 6 of those are very good for work. I can’t imagine not having income for half the year.

Our jeep was open top. I was slightly concerned what would happen if we should actually see a tiger. We signed a release that we understood the danger. He did tell me that they are more scared of us than we are of them – right. We don’t way 900 pounds and have gigantic claws and teeth.

Anyway, we rode down a very rural road to a different resort – it must have been the 4 star instead of the three. We picked up another couple there. The man got in the back with Eric and Ashley. He told them he was from Jersey, Old Jersey, that is. It was too funny. The safari lasted about 3 hours. We did not see a tiger, but we did see two types of deer, antelope, monkeys, a mongoose, crocodiles, storks, egrets, a gray heron, kingfishers, parakeets, and several other random birds. I will post pics when we get internet.

We really thought we were going to see a tiger. Supposedly the monkeys and deer and were making the “I am scared of a predator” sound. We waited and watched, but didn’t see anything. We learned that tigers are territorial and solitary. A female has a territory of about 10-15k. Males have a territory of 2-3 females.

We were very glad we were told to dress warmly. By the time we got back to our hotel, we were ice cubes. Just after we got back, they had coffee and tea and ‘dancing’ in the courtyard. Thankfully, the tea was hot and we were not required to dance. There was a lot of singing by the performers. It was very reminiscent of the King and I or maybe a Biblical production. The words were not exactly biblical though. We came back and I started downloading photos. I can not believe my card reader died. I had done one card and started the second when it died. I am so disappointed! The really great monkey and crocodile photos are on this one. Eric says we will be able to buy one tomorrow. I hope so.

Dinner was very good. We had spinach soup to start and several very good things in between that and the desert that is a variation of rice pudding only a lot thinner. Tomorrow we go to another palace before we go to the Taj Mahal.

If you ever want to go on a tour of India, you should use the same tour company. They have been very attentive. They have had people check on us all along the way. We have had guides and the most wonderful taxi driver. The only complaint we have had is that the places they take us along the way for snacks and meals have been very, very expensive. Because Eric has lived here for over a year, he knows these things. The normal tourist would just pay it and go on. More to come.