Travelling tales...

Mandawa

Pictures

Took a trip round Mandawa today with my guide, errrr... Fred(can't remember his name!). Walked round the town showing me the havelis (painted walls and exquisite exterior decorations).

Went to the local school where I met what I can only describe as the inspiration for Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen's character from Khazikstan. "I think you are the best", "I never forget you" and the favourite "You do so much for us it makes me cry" were all gems given in the best voice possible. I took some photos of the cheesiest kind which have to be seen to be believed! That all led upto the donation bit which I was happy to give for the entertainment value alone...
Got scammed buying a duvet cover afterwards. Word of warning to travellers. All guides will take you shopping afterwards. They come with you but you are on your own. Anyway, it's OK and its only about twice what I would have paid in England, not including postage!!!!!!
A 4-5 hour drive to next stop at Bikaneer went without a hitch.
In Bikaner, I'm staying at the ______ hotel. Get driven to the Junagahr fort and look round. First stop is the cafe. Get an Indian Tahli which is like a mezze in Greece with lots of little tasters to dig into. Talk to a really nice bunch of Indians from Punjab who are also doing a trip round Rajisthan. Have to rush off to see the fort before it closes. The fort is cool. I get shown round by the guide in a group (20 Indians and me) where the guide does the tour in two languages. I'm his best friend "Kre" (he misheard me and didn't have the heart to correct him! Inside the fort there is a Sopwith Camel amongst other oddities. Met an Oz couple outside and had a funny exchange with them. We couldn't bring ourselves to tell each other how much our trips cost in case we'd been ripped off!!!
Next was the Jain temple. Made with 40,000Kgs of Ghee (clarified butter). Maybe they had a butter mountain in India as well!? My guide Mohammed is an English student who can recite poetry and texts that I could only dream of. I just tell him what he says is correct and seem to get away with it. How embarrasing! Bought some artwork which I don't think was a ripp off.
Back at the hotel, while eating the food I met Ole and Klaus from Copehnhagen who told me thy had paid 1100GBP for the same trip so I felt a little better.... They went to the Temple of Rats where rats are worshipped and fed by the locals. As you walk thru the temple the rats brush against you. There are apparently 1000s of the buggers. Nice. Shame I will miss it! Apparently the rats bring good luck. Yeah right if Typhoid is considered lucky!!!