Thursday 24th January, 2013.

We had breakfast on the terrace under gas heaters where we had had drinks the previous
evening.
It was a short drive, ascending very steeply to the Mehrangarh Fort.  I do always think
of the poor people who built these enormous fortifications.
After lunch we motored on to Phalodi which has become famous for its proximity to
Khichan which is the wintering grounds for the Demoiselle cranes.
The drive, to say the least, was a thrill a minute.  The countryside is bone dry, the
dust horrendous and as we were in the quarrying area for red sandstone trucks with
enormous loads were thundering along.  The villagers live on the street - it is quite
gruesome to see.
Well there were hundreds of Demoiselle cranes just waiting for us.  We stayed until
they began to fly out to their roost for the night.
We journeyed on to our haveli style hotel - the Lal Nivas Palace.
By now we were out in the sticks again and when we saw the sign to our accommodation
our hearts sank as we were in an area that looked like a war zone.  There was a huge
amount of reconstruction  both external and internal going on all down the street.
The hotel is being renovated extremely well.  the ceilings and doorways are of  timber
which is ornately carved and has been restored well.  The staff were so helpful and so
pleased that we had come to stay.

Cheers!!

Vivienne.