November 22nd 2006
Pavan woke up at 4.00 pm and I at 4.15 am. Had my weekly Fosamax, got ready and packed. Went down @ 5.45 am to get some breakfast - juice, omelets and toasts.
Met Nicole @ 6.00 am, she has been to the Park thrice in the hope to see a tiger - and is off again this morning. She is from Hawaii.
6.20 am - Went to the Ranthambore National Park on a Safari in a Cantor (Rs 300 each). As soon as we started, we realized it was very cold and that we should have brought our jackets. Saw a lot of animals but NO TIGERS. It was a very exciting morning, hopeful thoughts of seeing a tiger or two, even in action, once we were even asked to remain absolutely silent as they heard warning calls from other animals. But, finally after a long wait, we had to move on. Another time, the guide showed us a tiger's paw prints on the main muddy road. so, we left - disappointed, at not being able to see a real live tiger.
10.00 am - Returned from Ranthambore National Park. Went upto the room, completed the final packing. Ate brunch, Puri, Aloo and Raita with tea. While we were eating, Nicole walked to us and requested me to explain to the waiter what is that green looking paste that she had tasted yesterday. I realized she was talking about green coriander chutney. She said she loved it and I even wrote down the recipe on a napkin and gave it to her. She was delighted, and her friend also made a copy of it.
11.00 am - Left Ranthambore for Karauli.
Took pictures of Sawai Madhopur Railway Station on the way.
11.51 am - Driving out of Sawai Madhopur.
The roads are very bad, unfinished, kachha roads.
2.30 pm - Arrived in Karauli at the Bhanwar Vilas Palace, a heritage hotel where the Maharaja lives even today.
Room rate is Rs 2500 + 8 % tax.
Went to see the City Palace at 3.30. The Maharaja of Karauli (who lives at the Bhanwar Vilas Palace) gifted this palace to the local temple, and they are doing a tremendous job of maintaining and preserving it in it's original glory. The guide actually belongs to the temple and was very proud to show it to us and also happy when we complimented on its maintenance. He asked us to also visit the temple, but we had to tell him that we would have to return to do that as our driver had finished his day's hours.
Earlier, I had taken some pictures of the hotel before going to the City Palace, it is a huge complex, but comparatively modest, and seems that before Heritage Hotel took over, this was a perhaps pretty run down.
5.30 pm - Returned to the hotel.
I took a bath and we rested for about 1 hour. Meanwhile Pavan had also started uploading the pictures. We ate dinner in the dining area of our hotel section. Dinner was Rs 375 each + Pavan ordered beer at Rs 135.
Settled down early as we had yet another busy day next day. The hotel room was definetely not worth Rs 2500 but since this was only hotel in Karauli, we had no choice.
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