Wed 3 Dec Bundi
Mike slept hardly at all. Buffet breakfast includes poha, idli with sambar, a bean dish, and fruit nectar. Carol eats a full breakfast. Mike only has some tea and some water. He's clearly not well.
Since waiting until the afternoon for a train is not in our plans, we're off to the bus stand for a bus to Bundi. The guidebook says there are some direct buses. Everyone else says go through the station in Kota. Although there is a town before Kota where we could transfer, a transfer holds no appeal, with our bags and all. The tickets to Kota are 157 R.
We have good seats toward the front, but the bus bounces along. Plenty of "diversions" (lane closures for roadwork) and some local road travel. Mike sleeps, Carol reads when the road allows and looks out the window. Finally, we come into Kota, where we are told that the same bus will continue to Bundi in 5 min. Good news! It is 1345. The new fare for the rest of the trip is 57 R for two tickets. Just stay aboard.
We get in to Bundi a little after 1500, take a 50 R rickshaw uphill to Bundi Haveli, and negotiate for a 2000 R room with breakfast. Our room is internal, with no outside window. It is attractive and clean, but not made for our needs. Mike, who is feeling much under the weather, stays in and tries to sleep.
Carol heads out downhill into town for about 2 1/2 hours, walking around and spending time in an internet café for quite a while. On the way back she watches an impromptu circus act on the main street. A simple tightrope about 8-10' high has been set up. A loudspeaker blares music. A girl who looks to be around 10 traverses this 20-30' distance holding a long pole for balance. First she is barefoot. Then she wears rubber sandals. Then one sandal comes off and she puts a metal dish under that foot before walking. For the grand finale, she travels the tightrope on an 18" metal wheel. She is very good, doing each part of the act forward and backward. The basket under the tight rope fills with coins and bills. Even the local kids contribute.
Finally, about 1830, Mike and Carol go downstairs for a single plate at the Bundi Haveli restaurant. Carol eats. Mike takes a few bites.
After dinner, we walk down the street to Haveli Braj Bhushanjee where we look at a much nicer room for 1800 R (no breakfast, though). We promise to take the room tomorrow if it remains unrented.
Back to bed. Mike is hacking away with a bad cough.
Mike slept hardly at all. Buffet breakfast includes poha, idli with sambar, a bean dish, and fruit nectar. Carol eats a full breakfast. Mike only has some tea and some water. He's clearly not well.
Since waiting until the afternoon for a train is not in our plans, we're off to the bus stand for a bus to Bundi. The guidebook says there are some direct buses. Everyone else says go through the station in Kota. Although there is a town before Kota where we could transfer, a transfer holds no appeal, with our bags and all. The tickets to Kota are 157 R.
We have good seats toward the front, but the bus bounces along. Plenty of "diversions" (lane closures for roadwork) and some local road travel. Mike sleeps, Carol reads when the road allows and looks out the window. Finally, we come into Kota, where we are told that the same bus will continue to Bundi in 5 min. Good news! It is 1345. The new fare for the rest of the trip is 57 R for two tickets. Just stay aboard.
We get in to Bundi a little after 1500, take a 50 R rickshaw uphill to Bundi Haveli, and negotiate for a 2000 R room with breakfast. Our room is internal, with no outside window. It is attractive and clean, but not made for our needs. Mike, who is feeling much under the weather, stays in and tries to sleep.
Carol heads out downhill into town for about 2 1/2 hours, walking around and spending time in an internet café for quite a while. On the way back she watches an impromptu circus act on the main street. A simple tightrope about 8-10' high has been set up. A loudspeaker blares music. A girl who looks to be around 10 traverses this 20-30' distance holding a long pole for balance. First she is barefoot. Then she wears rubber sandals. Then one sandal comes off and she puts a metal dish under that foot before walking. For the grand finale, she travels the tightrope on an 18" metal wheel. She is very good, doing each part of the act forward and backward. The basket under the tight rope fills with coins and bills. Even the local kids contribute.
Finally, about 1830, Mike and Carol go downstairs for a single plate at the Bundi Haveli restaurant. Carol eats. Mike takes a few bites.
After dinner, we walk down the street to Haveli Braj Bhushanjee where we look at a much nicer room for 1800 R (no breakfast, though). We promise to take the room tomorrow if it remains unrented.
Back to bed. Mike is hacking away with a bad cough.
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