Tag Archives: india

india chronicles: jaigarh fort

Posted by rob on

i do not know how to drive a motorcycle and it has been ages since i last rode at the back of one.  ironical as it sounds, i took a risk of riding one when i was in jaipur.

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from the busy bustling streets of the pink city, my couchsurfing buddy, ashish and i traversed the concrete road to jaigarh fort, one of the famous three forts in jaipur.  i felt an urge to remove the suffocating helmet that ash bought specially for me to feel the cool wind in my face but restrained myself to do so for my safety.

the fort offers a majestic panoramic view of the sprawling city below.  it was said that the fort itself never came under attack during the course of its history.

the fort was too vast and i declined walking farther for it was getting hot and forgot to bring some bottled water.

these stone railings are a prominent architecture in the fort.

a flag flaps proudly in one of the towers.

a window opens up overlooking the mountains.

the fort is a must visit when you pass by rajasthan.

it was already midday and scorching hot as ashish took a picture of me as i sat behind these doors.  the back of my neck was sunburned but it was way worthy to see this historic place, jaigarh.

india chronicles: arya niwas

Posted by rob on

i stayed in an old renovated haveli (mansion) in jaipur.  hotel arya niwas is a two-star hotel that has won a certificate of excellence from trip advisor website.

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it was mentioned in their website that the main hall of the hotel is 150 years old, repainted in the original style.

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the hotel has a simple and relaxing ambience.

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i booked a standard single room with aircon.  wi-fi is available with a small fee.

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i had a seat in one of their wicker chairs in their lawn while having breakfast.

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omelette, baked beans on toast and hot cocoa drink to start my day.

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i also dined at their restaurant, chitra cafeteria.  they have this home-like meals that are afffordable and satisfying.

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they have this unique feature where they display the food – so that you will know the portion size as well as the product itself.

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arya niwas was a good choice for me in my stay at the pink city.

india chronicles: jaipur is colored orange

Posted by rob on

i went around jaipur with the help of ash, a young rajasthani whom i met on couchsurfing website.  he has his own dependable motorbike with him and i was kind of reluctant at first about the idea of going around the city riding a bike for i was considering my safety.  i took the risk though and i have no regrets doing it (and thank god for not encountering any mishaps).  ash, as he has actually boasted to me, was an expert biker.

jaipur, is called as the pink city for most of the buildings are supposedly painted pink.. but it’s not pink, it’s orange!

various establishments were still closed.

a store selling dresses and a bookshop.

the hawa mahal’s façade as seen in the street.  it is also named as the palace of the winds.

there was no traffic early morning but during the afternoons it can get really congested.

not all buildings were colored orange.

ash and i stopped by in a store that sells traditional lassi, a yogurt-based drink.

there are different variations of the lassi drink and the one that i tasted was sweet and has added rosewater.

it was creamy and tasty like a milkshake.

i also had some kachori, a rajasthani spicy delicacy.  it is a flattened round baked flour with stuffing on it.  i was not sure what was the stuffing made of but i find it delicious.