Wednesday January 23rd 2013.

A glorious morning to climb into our buses and head for Jodhpur.
We really need a good scrubbing and a bit of warmth at night.
Last night because we had asked we got an extra blanket and a
hot water bottle.  Which was a very acceptable bonus.
As were were leaving we saw a third vulture.  This is really something
as the vulture population has diminished by 40 million in Southern Asia
since 1980.  The cause of this is because vets. have begun injecting Diclofenac
into domestic animals to reduce arthritis and so prolong their working lives.
This drug is poisonous to vultures and thus their purpose in life as a waste
disposal unit of domestic and human carcases has diminished.  Dogs have
increased to fill the gap but as they do not digest all the meat or all the carcasses
disease spreads.  As a result rabies has increased dramatically.
On my first visit to New Delhi, when I was a gal., the vultures were so numerous
I was scared to stand still in case they came to have a bit of a peck.  They were
very bold and landed close to the villages and villagers so as not to miss any
opportunity to scavange.
We had a puncture and whilst it was being repaired I took photos. to show the
size of the trucks and their huge loads.
We had lunch at the
It was a little bit of expensive heaven.  The entire  set up and presentation of
this establishment e.g. the mural both on inside and outside walls were
perfection.  Madonna comes here to stay and horse ride.
Our driver is very good at near misses and as usual the traffic was a
nightmare.
When we drove into Jodhpur we were given a very special welcome at the
Umaid Bhawan Palace - red carpet, a red canopy was held over us as we
walked in and rose petals were showered on us.
This huge palace is now 1/2 palace and 1/2 hotel which is run by the Taj group.
It took 15 years to build and was finished in 1943.  It is in excellent order, full
of superb objects and paintings,flowers and fittings.  Our bathroom was just
divine.  We walked through the gardens, went on a tour of the hotel and watch
the sun set behind the magnificent Mehrangarm Fort from the terrace.  Dinner
was in the main restaurant.  We were sad that this special treat was only for
one night.

 This magnificent tea light holder is made of marble and too big and heavy to pop
in my handbag.

The floral arrangements were exquisite.  All of this is of course very labour
intensive so it means employment for many.

Cheers!!

Vivienne.