February 21, 2012
Some of these photos were posted on my Facebook page, but many were not, so some of these will be new to you who are connected to my Facebook page.
So I'm behind a bit on my blogs but it's only because I've been busy busy busy. We've gone on many other travels since Rajasthan and I will get to them all.
After Jaipur we journeyed via car to Ranthambore. Our car ride provided views of India I had not seen yet. We saw a lot of countryside and farms. Much of it reminded me of my 4 hour drives from central Texas to east Texas. It was interestingly calming and a nice ride. The drive was about 3 hours. I took a few photos along the way. The first two photos are just to give you an idea of how crazy the driving is, even out on open roads. You can't tell as well here, but one of these days I'll post some video and give you a more detailed blog about what it's like to ride in a car here. It's like an amusement park ride sometimes.
Ranthambore is home to a large national park and numerous animals, including the rare bengal tiger. Our hotel, The Oberoi, Vanyavillas, is one of the top hotels in the world and it definitely lived up to it's title. The service was impeccable and the food amazing. Let's not forget the amenities and the lodging. There were only 26 rooms total and each room is an air conditioned tent. When you walk up to the room, it's the most amazing looking room I've ever seen. It looks like a regular little house but with a tent like top. When you walk in, it is beyond anything I've ever dreamed of for a hotel room out in the wilderness. Enough from me, let the photos show you just what I mean.
As soon as we arrived that evening, we already had our safari scheduled for that evening. We actually had arrived a little late. Traffic and a train caused us to be late. So when we arrived, the hotel, in their amazing way, was ready to help us get situated. We were seated on comfy chairs, handed drinks, and cool towels to wipe our hands, face and arms (to get refreshed). Since it was so close to lunch and our safari would be starting in an hour or two, we were also handed menus so that after get situated in our room, we could come back to the dining room and have our lunch ready for us to eat, take a small break and then off on the safari we would go. We were only at the hotel one night. If we could have stayed longer we would have but they only had the one night. Because of the small number of rooms and how impressive and wonderful this hotel is, they book up very fast. We did one more safari, early the next morning. The morning safari had us up by 5:30 am to get on the jeep at 6 am. It was chilly in the mornings there at this time of year. It was in the 50s (F) and being upraised, in a jeep, with the wind blowing, believe me, a jacket is needed. The hotel also provides water, cooled in a cooler and little masks to keep the dust from clogging up your nose. After that safari, we enjoyed our room a little longer and then were on our way to Udaipur, our next adventure in Rajasthan. Below are photos of what we were fortunate to experience on our safaris in Ranthambore.
Some of these photos were posted on my Facebook page, but many were not, so some of these will be new to you who are connected to my Facebook page.
So I'm behind a bit on my blogs but it's only because I've been busy busy busy. We've gone on many other travels since Rajasthan and I will get to them all.
After Jaipur we journeyed via car to Ranthambore. Our car ride provided views of India I had not seen yet. We saw a lot of countryside and farms. Much of it reminded me of my 4 hour drives from central Texas to east Texas. It was interestingly calming and a nice ride. The drive was about 3 hours. I took a few photos along the way. The first two photos are just to give you an idea of how crazy the driving is, even out on open roads. You can't tell as well here, but one of these days I'll post some video and give you a more detailed blog about what it's like to ride in a car here. It's like an amusement park ride sometimes.
Little young cow on the side of the road. There's a little bird standing there staring at her.
Ranthambore is home to a large national park and numerous animals, including the rare bengal tiger. Our hotel, The Oberoi, Vanyavillas, is one of the top hotels in the world and it definitely lived up to it's title. The service was impeccable and the food amazing. Let's not forget the amenities and the lodging. There were only 26 rooms total and each room is an air conditioned tent. When you walk up to the room, it's the most amazing looking room I've ever seen. It looks like a regular little house but with a tent like top. When you walk in, it is beyond anything I've ever dreamed of for a hotel room out in the wilderness. Enough from me, let the photos show you just what I mean.
Looking up while inside the room, yes, it even looks like a tent from the inside. Love it!!
Bowls of fragrant water and oranges for a snack.
Snacks are have always been provided in all the hotels we've stayed in.
Bowls with oil and water and petals to leave a wonderful fragrance in the room.
In the room, windows went all the way around the room, for privacy there is a wall around the room outside, but you can also close the curtains, sheer or full ones to make it darker.
Little veranda outside the bathroom.
One of two vanities.
Beautiful claw foot tub in the middle of the bathroom. The bathroom/closet was
the size of the bedroom part. The suites here are amazing!
Below are photos of the hotel and hotel grounds. Also, just outside the entrance to the hotel, they have elephants and their trainers to give elephant rides. It was great to get to pet them and feel how their skin feels. The female elephant wasn't feeling well. You could even tell she was just not feeling so great. It just got a great big "Awwww" from me. The male elephant, who is 35 years old, my age, kept sniffing me with his trunk because he was hoping to find that I had some apple for him to eat. The trainers were feeding them apples. The female elephant is 40. I'm not one to condone elephant rides. I feel that elephants were meant to be in the wild. These trainers seemed to treat them quite well though. I don't judge anyone who decides to ride an elephant. I just don't feel that I should while here.
Beautiful orchid tree. It has become one of my favorite trees.
As soon as we arrived that evening, we already had our safari scheduled for that evening. We actually had arrived a little late. Traffic and a train caused us to be late. So when we arrived, the hotel, in their amazing way, was ready to help us get situated. We were seated on comfy chairs, handed drinks, and cool towels to wipe our hands, face and arms (to get refreshed). Since it was so close to lunch and our safari would be starting in an hour or two, we were also handed menus so that after get situated in our room, we could come back to the dining room and have our lunch ready for us to eat, take a small break and then off on the safari we would go. We were only at the hotel one night. If we could have stayed longer we would have but they only had the one night. Because of the small number of rooms and how impressive and wonderful this hotel is, they book up very fast. We did one more safari, early the next morning. The morning safari had us up by 5:30 am to get on the jeep at 6 am. It was chilly in the mornings there at this time of year. It was in the 50s (F) and being upraised, in a jeep, with the wind blowing, believe me, a jacket is needed. The hotel also provides water, cooled in a cooler and little masks to keep the dust from clogging up your nose. After that safari, we enjoyed our room a little longer and then were on our way to Udaipur, our next adventure in Rajasthan. Below are photos of what we were fortunate to experience on our safaris in Ranthambore.
Remember you can click ont he photo to see it a little larger.
This is what some of the safari vehicles look like. I didn't get a photo of ours, but
ours held 4-6 people. It was a much more private.
Banyan tree
Banyan trees
Langur Monkey
Peacocks and peahens
Hawk
This samber dear is licking salt. Yes, they dig the hole and then will kneel down and lick the salt.
Vikas found a lil friend. These birds are so used to people and love if you have a little food for them.
Indian Parakeet
Green Pigeon
Kingfisher
While we were doing a little bird watching, these two parakeets were
feeling quite amorous. Yes, they were mating.
Hordes of green pigeons in this tree.
Pheasant
And then there were two.
Part of the fort that once towered over this land.
Wild Boar
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