Two Weeks with Family and Friends

We've had a wonderful two weeks with the Thomas family and Liz Hardy. Bill Thomas returned to Amman after one week, leaving Leslie, Gray, and Natalie to explore more of India...and explore they did! Leslie boldly made plans to travel to Goa, a beach area south of Bombay. They flew there, went to a resort, played in the sand and surf, ate seafood, and visited a spice plantation. We were so happy to see them return last evening, delivered to us by the ever-reliable Mr. Singh. I have been paid the highest possible compliment by Natalie and Gray: they've begun calling me Aunt Fran! Gray has shown incredibly polished manners and helpfulness around the house, and Natalie is always sweet and sunny.

Liz and our family travelled to Jaipur while Leslie and crew were in Goa. We stopped at the Neemrana Fort Palace en route at the suggestion of one of Liz's friends. What a wonderful tip! It is a 15th century fort that was converted to a five star hotel during the 1990s. We decided after stopping there for a tour and drink that we would return on the way home from Jaipur. We did so, and it turned out to be one of the most pleasant, luxurious, relaxing, and interesting days of Liz's visit.

In Jaipur, Liz fell victim to Delhi Belly and had to miss the tour of the City Palace and Amber Fort. Our family went on the day-long tour with a most excellent private tour guide, Sandeep. I have his business card and will HIGHLY recommend him to any visiting this jewel among India's cities. The Amber Fort boasts the most beautiful mirrored chamber that I've ever seen. As striking and dramatic as the fort is today, it's impossible to imagine how sumptuous it must've been when every floor was lined with vast Oriental rugs, the walls were painted with frescoes and decorated with tiles, and candlelight and music filled the air.

Touring the City Palace was like stepping into the Raj era and glimpsing how the Maharajas of Jaipur had lived. There were Oriental rugs measuring 50 feet by 20 feet, thrones, red velvet and gold sedan chairs, two famous silver urns--five feet tall--which once carried Ganges water to London for a Maharaja to drink, and more luxuries than one can describe! We have purchased A Princess Remembers at the suggestion of our guide and have begun reading this memoir of a Maharani born in 1919.

Our return trip to the Neemrana Fort including an impromptu walking tour of Neemrana village with two young shopkeepers as our guides. Apparently the number of tourists is low this time of year, so they were willing to walk for 45 minutes with us--giving very interesting commentary--in order to oblige us to visit their shops. After making our purchases, one shopkeeper told us we were his first customers in 3 days!

Now we're all back together in Delhi and looking forward to a wonderful buffet lunch this afternoon. Both Liz and Leslie & Co. will depart Monday morning, so our exciting two weeks with guests is coming to an end.