Day 22 - Jaipur

So this morning we are ready to get some decent food into our systems so the plan is to walk over to the Pink City and City Palace which is about a 6km walk and we are bound to run into food on the way.

After walking about half way we still have not found anywhere decent to eat. It is easier to find a doctor in Jaipur than some food. Today's walk is feeling particularly difficult having not really eaten. We finally find MI Road which is a famous road in a Jaipur as its where all the bazaars and palace are located.

Finally we find one of our favourite franchises -Cafe Coffee Day!!! It's it like heaven to have some coffee and a samosa. It's absolutely horrible the samosa but food is food and I shouldn't really complain.

After another hour we reach the gates to the Pink City. Walking in is an effort as there are so many cars and bikes turning through the narrow gate. The pink city is just full of bazaars and shops selling more items and Nik naks than you could ever imagine and I am a little disappointed after expecting - well not sure what I was expecting - but I think something better organised, nicer to walk down or through more like a vibrant street market rather than generic shops selling the same thing all the way down kilometre after kilometre.

We eventually arrive at City Palace after contending with the traffic and crowds. The Jaipur City Palace is average at best. It's definitely inferior to the palaces in Udaipur and Jodhpur. It's no in a nice area nor is it well maintained in my opinion. It's actually another huge disappointment. I guess it's is not supposed to be impressive as Jaipur has three main forts which have royal residences. But on the whole it is underwhelming.

After leaving the chaos that is the Pink City (which is do not believe is really pink but rather this dirty brown/terracotta colour) we head to the Jaipur City museum. The museum building is more impressive than the city palace and it's located in a nice park area make it more appealing.

Outside the museum a band is playing and everyone has stopped to watch. The band is very good and interesting to see and hear an assortment of traditional music.

After staying a short while we decide to head for dinner from a few restaurants that we had seen on the way. We decide on Neros which has had a few good write ups. The restaurant looks closed from the outside but once the door is open its amazing the most beautiful decor we have seen in India. We don't go in as we are inappropriately dress but the waiter ushers us in and says this is normal for tourist in the note weather.
We order mutton in spinach, chicken tikka masala, aubergine chutney and steamed rice - the food is incredible here, a little more expensive but well worth the price.

After one of the most delicious dinners we get a tuk tuk back to the hotel. The driver is really nice and notices a wedding procession and take us down the alley. The groom is perched on a amazing gowned elephant and two compels are next in the procession. The spectacle is closed with the guest in colourful saris and suits dancing down the street which people carry huge lanterns it's so beautiful, loud and well fun. After watching for a little bit we take the rest of the journey back. Tomorrow we are tackling the three forts of Jaipur.