Delhi to Jaipur with love

It’s a 6am wake up call and after a quick breakfast we are back on the bus for a 6 hour transfer to Jaipur. The rush hour of Delhi provides us with entertainment as we watch in amazement at the way they drive, weaving in an out of the traffic and the cows. Any space, and I mean any is seen as a possible gap to overtake. I’m getting very used to eyeballing with the other drivers.

Once out of Delhi the road side scenes revert to fields and the many farm workers of the land carrying their produce on their heads. A lot of women work the fields and do so in their colourful saris, which are in bright greens, reds, yellows, pinks and oranges. It amazes me at how bright and clean their saris are for the work that they are doing and the limited washing facilities.

On the outskirts of Jaipur we stop for a hotel inspection at the Tree of Life. It is a wonderful hotel with only 14 villas in the resort.

We are welcomed by the owners son who greets us with the traditional tikka greeting, the sign or welcome with a red dot on your forehead and a gift of a brass bracelet for health, good luck and they claim, also good for the blood pressure! As we walk around this resort it is clear that this is the perfect stop for a tranquil rest in between the hectic towns of Delhi and Jaipur.

The affinity swimming pool looks over the resort and the remoteness around, only small villages are nearby, no other hotels in sight, it‘s so remote the driver on the way there had to stop twice to ask for directions.

Each villa has a separate sitting room, a large bedroom with high ceilings and open aired bathroom with outdoor shower and bath. Some of the villas come with private swimming pools and couples massage tables which are perfect for honeymoon couples or those looking for some quality time alone.

The hotel uses some colourful dolls as their “do not disturb” sign which we all love and are told they are puppets which are common in Jaipur.

Jaipur is only 20 minutes from the tree of life and again we are amazed by the sights we see on the way to our next hotel. It’s a massive city with so many people out and about doing something, going or coming somewhere.

Our first sight in Jaipur is of the Amber city fort, which rises above the city and around the lake on which there is also the Amber Palace.

We check in to the Jai Mahal Palace for 2 nights, it is a lovely hotel,  just exactly what you would imagine an old Indian hotel would be like. Typically Colonial Indian in style with large rooms, airy bathroom with a window into the bedroom, and a pleasant outdoor bar that looks over the gardens of the hotel. It’s our first moment to chill and 3 of us enjoy Kir Royals and vodkas’ as the sunsets to the sound of slow trains clacking past with the odd train whistle.

 

 

We head out tonight for a site inspection of the Hotel Rambagh Palace which is a beautiful hotel with a fabulous entrance of a sweeping stair case which they throw fresh rose petals to welcome our arrival. This hotel has a choice of many opulent suites with domed ceilings, four poster beds and dark wood furniture, it gives you the feel of an old colonial India.

The standard rooms are just as stunning and are a good size for a one or two night stay. The hotel has a beautiful courtyard within the middle of it which is light up at night with many candles and lights. The walls are decorated with colourful paper and old fashioned door numbers with a bell system to display make up room, do not disturb etc.

Our last visit of the evening is to the newly built Radisson Blue hotel, it’s not yet open to the public so a preview for us to see what is to come. It’s a refreshing visit as the staff are so excited by the opening of the hotel, I’m sure anyone choosing to come and stay here in the future, will receive the best of service.

The rooms are an excellent size with large king size beds and an area with a desk and an arm chair. Like all Radisson hotels wifi will be complimentary for all guests, a great extra to keep in touch with home when you are away. Even though the hotel is not yet finished the managers show us some of the rooms and set up an Indian Tapas bar for us in one of their suites with some beers. The food is fantastic and we are told it is all home made recipes, another first for us in India. Only once we finish the tapas they tell us that they are preparing dinner for us in the restaurant! We are certainly eating like kings. Dinner is excellent and we are introduced to “Lady fingers” which are deep fried okra in a spicy batter as well as many other Indian dishes such as chicken tikka, lamb gohst etc. The restaurant manager obviously thinks we are need feeding up as he keeps bringing more options for us to eat as well as two wonderful deserts. The treadmill is beaconing!

We head back for a few hours sleep as it’s an early start to avoid the queues for the elephants up to the fort.

Day 6 A Tour of India    Call 0844 811 2550 for more information or email goeasy travel on this contact link