The Taj to Bundi

After leaving the tourist mecca of agra and the Taj Mahal, we have taken the bus to Bharatpur and a nearby national park for a bit of Indian bird spotting (ahem). The journey was only an hour, but we were packed into the front of the bus with everyone staring and grinning at us while in turn we gritted our teeth while the bus driver careered up the road overtaking without a care for oncoming traffic. Unfortnately, due to a particularly bad monsoon, hardly any birds were at the national park this year so we made a swift exit.

Taking the train down to Sawai Madhopur in the hope to see tigers at Ranthambore national park was a bit of an adventure in dodging the ticket inspectors as we attempted to stow away (without much success) in the air-conditioned sleeper compartment. Ranthamore is quite touristy (for Indian standards) but well worth it. The safari was awesome and we were lucky enough to see 2 tigers (for about 2 seconds), which we were told was pretty good.

We arrived in Bundi after a teeth rattling bus journey and totally love it here. There is a 16th century fort that looms over the small blue city. You can literlly get lost in the winding passageways and staircases of the gigantic structure. Bundi is definitely a step out of the chaos that is general India, people seem more friendly and hassle you far less for your rupees. I think we might stay a while.....