Pushkar
The last stop in Rajasthan. A very holy city as Gandhi’s and Nehru’s ashes were scattered in the small lake. There are 52 ghats around the lake - one for eery maharaja in Rajasthan. We were ripped off for the 15km trip from the bus stopin Ajmer - Rs400. We only paid Rs220 for the both of us for the 222km trip from Jodhpur. To compound it we pulled a pulled a place off the Internet that bore no resemblance to the description there. Indian operations on the Net just seem to lie - not even exaggerate. It was sort of OK but fortunately right across the lane (we’re just out of town) there was a much better place for another Rs100. The owner of the first place was not impressed as we had insulted his entire ancestry. I’ll add pics of the places we stayed at when all the blog entries are updated in a week or two. We’re on our 4th hour of video.
Not only is it present buying time but also jettisoning time. We have got rid of a coat and now, when socks/pants get dirty, they’re jettisoned. We always dress like beggars so we can ditch just about everything if we’re short of luggage room - which we always are. There are several thngs that will be given to beggars in Delhi. Some useful things to take:
- A basin plug. Not only are there none in the basins but you cannot buy them. Take two - one secured within a case;
- Always roll your clothes - you’ll get far more in your case;
- Secure clothes and anything else with big elastic bands - take at least 100
- A small electric boiler for tea/soup etc. We even used ours in the train;
- India uses the 15A/round two pin system (which is the usual). Instas of adaptors for things that don’t have the two pins, I chocolate block a plug from one thing to the next with a small jewellers screwdriver with a plastic handle
- A chain and padlock per case for securing bags whilst on sleeper trains - loops are provided under the seats;
- Only one tube of toothpaste - save weight;
- Several photocopies of passports/visas kept separate from the originals.
Pushkar is a pretty place, located around the holy lake, which is in the process of being de-silted. Lots of religious restrictions about shoes, dress & behaviour. Sonali is still out buying presents - mainly for the kids. God knows where it will go. Current cost of accommodation per night is R170 per room so far. Some good and some not so - but not backpacker level that we have used in the past. Food is around R40 per meal but we could have reduced that quite a lot by ordering a single meal - they’re big enough for two and the proprietors don’t mind. Beer, when you can find it is R20 a bottle. A fair amount of cash goes on tuktuk journeys - always between Rs30 and Rs60 (R6 & R10) but it adds up.
We’re booked out on the night sleeper bus to Delhi on Independence Day, 26th Jan at 7pm. There are still plenty of things to see there. We want to get there at least a couple of days before we return to SA on the 30th and not be dashing about at the last minute.