जयपुर

UNFORGETTABLE INDIA

Jaipur, an old walled city, has an energy which entices you to go a little further and look around the next corner.

Jaipur, India

More vibrant than its nickname, “The Pink City”, Jaipur’s old walled city has an energy which entices you to go a little further and look around the next corner where you might find another colorful marketplace or friendly neighbourhood. Both inside and outside city limits visitors marvel at Jaipur’s architecture, history and culture. So much to see, so don’t be in a hurry. Enjoy Jaipur’s Old City, Albert Hall Museum, Surya Mandir (Temple of the Sun God), Amber Fort, or an evening view across the lake to Jal Mahal (the Water Palace) before heading back to the streets of the Old City until it’s time to go to the station for the overnight train to your next India travel destination.

We requested 2 Super Deluxe Rooms and were given spacious corner rooms 304 and 305.

Room 304 showed a full wall of windows facing the front street and a small, high, side window over the air conditioner. Room 305 had 2 windows, one of which was a small high window again over the air conditioner. Both windows overlooked a vacant, debris-scattered yard next door; whereas the bathroom window overlooked the garden restaurant. The windows kept most of the night noises at bay with one exception; several rather loud dogs and cats in the vacant lot made sleeping, during the wee hours of the morning, somewhat of a challenge.

The rooms and linens were clean. Most of the ambience in our rooms was provided by the decorated ceiling. The furniture, wardrobe (with hangers), desk, coffee table, two slatted chairs and night tables were low grade but functional. Two beds pushed together provided a king width with double length. Room 305’s bed was ultra-firm (dare we say ‘hard’), while 304’s bed was firm, comfortably so. We glanced into some of the other rooms which seemed smaller in size but more flattering in their décor.

The food from the kitchen (open to view from the garden) was good, reasonably priced (for tourist accommodations) and the staff most pleasant. We were never rushed and enjoyed the garden with its peacocks and birds for eating, lounging and meeting other guests.

Om Sharma, is particularly good at seeing guest’s concerns are handled in a timely manner. Wifi throughout the property was intermittent but bringing it to the attention of Om usually had it working again in short order. There is a wifi router on each floor which reaches most rooms. Room 304, tucked around a corner, had some difficulty with reception. Hotel Anuraag Villa has a computer room for guests as well. We used the laundry services and found them most satisfactory although it is best to make your own list to double check. Front desk staff was more than willing to arrange transportation to and from the hotel, however, we found negotiating on the street less expensive and relatively easy to do; even for making arrangements for next day pickups.

We want, particularly, to thank Hotel Anuraag Villa for allowing us to stay on (in the garden and main floor lounge) until we were ready to catch the overnight train to Udaipur.

Overall we were very pleased with our stay at Hotel Anuraag Villa and feel it offers good value to those visiting Jaipur.
Room Tip: The corner rooms appeared to offer more space, but do not have as flattering a decor as others we peeked into.

SIGHTSEEING IN JAIPUR

City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Surya Mandir (Temple of the Sun God), Amber Fort, Albert Hall Museum, Jal Mahal (aka Water Palace). As nice as these Jaipur landmarks are nothing equals in memories as tucking the guide book away and wandering the Old City’s streets and side lanes among locals carrying on with their daily lives; many welcoming an interruption to speak with someone from another country.

FOOD & DRINK IN JAIPUR

EATING
To the palate of many Westerners, the highly flavourful, spiciness of Indian cuisine can be unagreeable. But even for those who prefer a blander diet, India is still doable.

India’s population has the lowest individual consumption of meat in the world and animal based ingredients, other than milk products and honey, are seldom used in traditional dishes. Ghee (clarified butter) is the traditional cooking medium. For the traveller who wants their animal protein most restaurants have meat options unless they advertise themselves as vegetarian. Most popular meats are chicken, lamb and goat as religious practices forbid beef products to Hindus and pork to Muslims. Finding truly fresh fish in Northern India may be challenging. In place of animal protein most of India turns to dhal (curried lentils or pulses). Yogurt and other dairy products also play a big part in providing protein.

If a steady diet of Indian spices and dhal are not appealing the traveller will find, on most menus, an oriental style noodle dish with influences from Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.

In Northern India, flat bread and rice are the staple starches. Bread, more commonly referred to as roti and chapati (the latter being a thinner unleavened, whole-wheat version). They are often used as a vehicle to get food, such as dhal, from plate to mouth.

Vegetables are plentiful and inexpensive. Other than in American style hotels, salads are a rarity and the savvy traveller would be best to avoid anything which is not cooked or, in the case of fruit, peeled.

Vegetable pakoras are a popular finger food in India and can be ordered spicy or non-spicy. Made from chickpea flour and a variety of vegetables, then deep fried, pakoras are a tasty option for the non-spicy traveller and can be accompanied by yogurt or sweet & sour sauce for dipping.

For some excellent recommendations on restaurants consult a Lonely Planet guidebook – money well spent.

DRINKING

It is advisable for travellers in India to consume only bottled water. A nice change, when available, is bottled carbonated water. Buying water in large two litre bottles from a small vendor is usually the least expensive. With the proprietor watching, check the cap to ensure it is sealed.

Chai (tea) is a much consumed beverage often accompanied by heaps of sugar and generous pours of milk. Although tea is by far the most popular drink, coffee is gaining in acceptance.

Street stands offering fresh squeezed juices can seem tempting however lax hygiene practices – reusing cups which have been sloshed through a basin of tepid water – can ruin a vacation.

Lassi is a traditional drink of blended yogurt and water available ‘savory’ or ‘sweet’. The savory contains spices such as ground roasted cumin, whereas, sweet is made with sugar, honey or fruit. Sweet lemon, a variety of citrus, tastes more like orange to Western taste buds than lemon.

GETTING AROUND JAIPUR

Train travel is a great way to experience India. Day travel will allow you to see the countryside as it whizzes (sometime plods) by. Night travel can get you to where you are going and provide an inexpensive place to sleep. If you have limited time in India it may be best to make reservations prior to leaving your home country.

The motorized auto-rickshaw provides an exhilarating experience and offers a wonderful way to get around a city while affording some protection from the elements. The driver is supposed to use a meter but generally a bartering exchange is carried out before you get in … if the price is not agreed to BEFORE the cost at the end of the ride could be substantial. We were often able to squeeze four people and four backpacks into an auto-rickshaw.

Bicycle-rickshaws offer a slower paced view of a city and are good for short distances. They have limited protection from poor weather. The pedal-drivers work hard for their money.

Taxis are best for longer distances, wet weather conditions or for transporting over-luggaged tourists. Like the auto-rickshaws, taxis have meters which are seldom used. Before getting in, or putting luggage in the trunk, agree on the total cost to get to your destination.

Insisting on hiring another cab or rickshaw usually either “fixes” the meter or lowers the price. If your hotel offers to make transportation arrangements for you, it may be cheaper to decline and walk out to the street and flag down a rickshaw or taxi.

If you like your driver you can make arrangement to have him pick you up at another time and/or place; most often they will be there, particularly if you paid them fairly or tipped above the agreed price. For sightseeing you can arrange to be taken from place to place for the day at an agreed price payable at the conclusion of the day’s travels. Drivers may also be a good source of information as to where to go and what to see.