This morning we finally get to sleep in. After our busy day camel riding we need some time to relax, repack our suitcases,enjoy the surroundings of the Gateway Hotel and last minute shopping. The shoe man is quite happy with the ladies, they've kept him busy making custom orders.
We our bus ride continues through the tranquil, rural countryside into the the Aravli Hills to the 17th century village of Narlai. Here we'll stay at another Heritage hotel, the Rawla Narlai. This was once the favourite hunting lodge of the royal family of Jodhpur.
Along the way we stop at a Women's Cooperative where the locals make embroidered blankets, quilts, table runners, jackets and much more. Each piece is magnificently hand crafted by these talented women and men.
Our drive through the countryside is amusing and entertaining. The highway, or so they call it, is one narrow strip of pavement meant for traffic in both directions. Needless to say our skilled driver must pull off onto the dirt side often to make way for oncoming traffic, shepherds crossing with their flock and cows and buffalo meandering down the road. The women are busy cutting hay and wheat in the fields, sickles in hand and dressed in their brightly coloured saris. It's quite a sight. Men are steering their oxen and plows through the fields and the roadway is busy with people carrying bundles of wheat, hay and sticks on their heads. It's amazing how much they can carry and how expertly they balance their heavy load.
The drive through the village of Narlai is quite an ordeal. The narrow streets now have rocks and debris piled where only 6 months prior there was a clear. The bus is not able to make it through this clearly so the hotel must send a troop of men to clear the way. The excitement has brought out all of the towns people, even the cows move in for a closer look at the action. Wires are held up for the bus to pass through, wood, bricks and rocks are moved and finally we arrive at the Rawla Narlai. The ladies give a loud applause of appreciation to our driver and his attendant. The hotel staff are waiting in the courtyard with cool drinks and garlands made of bright orange chrysanthemums. This 17th century fortress is now a peaceful hotel centred around a beautiful filled with bright bougainvillea and fragrant Frangipani trees. The bedrooms in the main lodge are spacious, some have frescoed walls and all are furnished in Rajasthani style. The pool area has a line of tented rooms which are elegant and airy. This afternoon we have free time to settle into our lovely rooms, enjoy a dip in the pool and later meet in the courtyard for cocktails and henna tattoos. Since we already have henna on our hands many have decided to put them on their legs. The henna ladies are quite skilled and create pieces of art on us . This evening we are going to drink Indian Whiskey and have a turban tying contest. What a combination. This should be fun!
We our bus ride continues through the tranquil, rural countryside into the the Aravli Hills to the 17th century village of Narlai. Here we'll stay at another Heritage hotel, the Rawla Narlai. This was once the favourite hunting lodge of the royal family of Jodhpur.
Along the way we stop at a Women's Cooperative where the locals make embroidered blankets, quilts, table runners, jackets and much more. Each piece is magnificently hand crafted by these talented women and men.
Our drive through the countryside is amusing and entertaining. The highway, or so they call it, is one narrow strip of pavement meant for traffic in both directions. Needless to say our skilled driver must pull off onto the dirt side often to make way for oncoming traffic, shepherds crossing with their flock and cows and buffalo meandering down the road. The women are busy cutting hay and wheat in the fields, sickles in hand and dressed in their brightly coloured saris. It's quite a sight. Men are steering their oxen and plows through the fields and the roadway is busy with people carrying bundles of wheat, hay and sticks on their heads. It's amazing how much they can carry and how expertly they balance their heavy load.
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