Monday 21lst January, 2013.
It is late at night and I am getting my self muddled.
Modehera is the 11th century sun temple
Rani-ki-vav   the queen's stairwell.


Once again a very chilly start in the dark but this time in the bus.
As the sun rose we saw flocks of cranes leaving their roosts.  We
crossed the Tropic of Cancer on our way to Siana.
Of course the traffic was a"joy". We passed vast yards of marble
ready to be shipped.  There was massive road building and reconstruction
going on.
Lunch was at the Palanpur Palace near Mt Abu which was built in 1932 and now a
convention centre and hotel.
We travelled on passed fields of fennel, mustard and castor oil.
Now the journey really almost got out of hand.  We were virtually
playing "chicken" with huge tip-trucks filled with stone or soil from the quarries. 
After their contents had been dropped they were filled with fire-wood from the
scrub that had been cleared
We crossed the boarder into Rajasthan and as the roads and traffic worsened
some opted for sleep and some for prayer
Upon arrival in Siana which is so remote that it is not on many maps and
is set in the granite and most dramatic rocky rugged Aravalli hills the
villagers and camels were awaiting us.  Each and every time I ride a camel,
the last time was in Timbuktoo, I vow never again.
The camp was set up for us and our tent ready.
Not a minute to spare we were off for a night-time safari.

 The Palanpur Palace

 Our welcoming committee.

I am nearly up to date now. 
There were a few days when there was not any wi-fi and now I am trying to
rush things.
We are in Jodhpur now but just for one night and I do not know if Phalodi
will have wi-fi.

Cheers!!!


Vivienne.