Great Itineraries: Jaipur

Hawa Mahal, The Palace Of Winds

One of the most unique and exotic cities that I have ever had the opportunity to visit is Jaipur, India.  It is a place of incredible beauty and extreme poverty.  A place full of charming people and rambunctious camels.  A city where there is more jewelry stores than grocery stores.  It is a desert land is full of incredible palaces and forts as well Hindu temples and intense markets.  This is a place where Rudyard Kipling and One Thousand and One Arabian Nights intersect.  This is a place where you can get lost in an exotic world and let your imagination run wild. 

Day 1

• 9:00 A.M.           Stroll around the elegant City Palace
• 11:00 A.M.         See the cutting edge astrological observatory at Jantar Mantar
• 1:00 P.M.            Have a relaxing Lunch
• 3:00 P.M.            Hire a bicycle rickshaw and take a tour of this exotic city
• 4:00 P.M.            View the gorgeous Hawa Mahal
• 6:00 P.M.            Have an incredible diner at one of a plethora of excellent restaurants.

Day 2

• 9:00 A.M.           Take an elephant to the top of the amazing Amber Fort
• 1:00 P.M.            Lunch
• 3:00 P.M.            Check out one of the incredible bazaars for some shopping and an opportunity to immerse yourself in this unique culture
• 6:00 P.M.            Have one last memorable diner in this remarkable city

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Your Future Is Written In The Stars: A Trip To Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar Observatory

For centuries, man has looked to the skies for inspiration, be it the natural beauty of an elegant sunrise, or for divine prophecy in the stars.  For the people of India, astrology is not just a quirky science, but a major facet of life.  They carefully look at the constellations, the phases of the moon, and the positions of the planets, to see when it is an auspicious time for a wedding, or to a have a baby, or to start a long journey.  They have even used these celestial patterns to determine if they should go to war or not.  In the exotic city of Jaipur, you can see to what lengths the maharajahs of old would go to see the future.

     Here at the Jantar Mantar, you can see how important this field was to the ancient maharajahs.  This observatory is full of the most cutting edge astrological technology that 1700's had to offer.  Jai Singh II, the maharajah of Jaipur, had dozens of bizarre looking devices built to study the sky.  This included the worlds largest sun dial, many yantras, which can precisely track the movements of specific constellations and several other tools that can tell time to the millisecond.  Many of these devices are still extremely accurate and are just as effective as most of our current instruments.  Which to me, is completely remarkable. 

     So why all of the hoopla?  Well as I alluded to earlier, if a Maharajah can accurately decipher the patterns that lie within the stars then he will be able to predict the future, and thus if a maharajah knows the future or at least knows if the outcome will be favorable then he can keep his subjects content and continue to rule. He will also know when to marry off his daughters, and when to go to war with other kingdoms.  So you can see why Jai Singh II and many other ancient rulers would crave this all so important knowledge of the future.  So if you are ever in Jaipur, you should checkout this impressive looking observatory and see what the future has in store for you.

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You Asked For It, You Got It!

The Great Wall Of China

I am constantly asked, "what kind of deals are out there"?  So I figured that I will show you a few of the incredible deals that are available for those who look. 

If you have ever dreamed of seeing the orient, then checkout this interesting deal on Groupon.  If you book by the 31st of July, you can go on a ten day trip to China for as low as $1,299 per person.  This deal features round trip airfare from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York, and includes luxury accommodations in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou.  It also includes an English speaking guild.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/ga-affordable-asia-4-china?p=13&utm_source=channel_getaways-deals&utm_medium=email&sid=6bc6880e-9c5d-4b79-9a93-d85f474384f3&user=29dbecfd0d7319551f21d4e4e4d360254450f31e6cf7601b7bcc3da9f4d8fb61&date=20130723&s=body&c=link&d=getaways_deal

What could be more enjoyable than a romantic ferry ride down a charming canal or seeing the city of light from the Eiffel Tower?  Gate 1 Travels is offering an eight day trip to Amsterdam and Paris for as low as $1299 per person.  Of course this deal is only available until July 29th, so act fast!

http://www.gate1travel.com/thedeal/130722/amsterdam.aspx?utm_source=thedeal&utm_medium=email&utm_term=130722&utm_campaign=amsterdam&advid=BCEE9096-F29A-40F2-A0AE-C74C68CC8122&bdid=F1823B80-C425-4E7E-9140-836520865549

Are you the type of person who just loves to stretch out on a beach and soak in some sun?  If so, then do I have a deal for you!  How about a 3 night stay in a luxurious hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  This deal includes round trip airfare from Fort Lauderdale, three nights in an ocean front room at The Conrad San Juan Plaza and for only $379 per person.

http://www.travelzoo.com/vacations/caribbean/-379-Puerto-Rico-4-Star-Oceanfront-Weekend-Escape-w-Air-1521511/?ptl=done&rating=&tppct=

Remember that most deals like these have several hidden charges, or catches like blackout dates, so keep this in mind and read those fine prints before booking.  I hope that this gives you some ideas on the types values that are out there, so go out and find yourself that trip of a lifetime.

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Nothing Says India Like Riding An Elephant!

Riding An Elephant To The Amber Fort

Have you ever done something so amazing?  So over the top, that you have to pinch yourself to believe that you are not dreaming?  The last time that I was in Jaipur, I had one of those surreal experiences. I was given the unique opportunity to ride on the back of an elephant with my wife Maggie to an abandon palace.  Talk about one of those truly magical experiences. 

     About seven miles to the north of Jaipur, lies the scenic Amber Fort.  This former royal palace was constructed in 1592 by Raj Man Singh, as the main home for the Kachawah Raj Puts, and remained the center of politics and commerce for this part of India for centuries.  The place is simply massive, with hundreds of rooms and countless buildings which are all surrounded by thick ramparts and formidable gates.  The whole structure is precariously perched at the summit of a very large hill, with extraordinarily steep cliffs surrounding it. This defensive position and thick imposing walls provided immense protection to the city and her people,  The sixteenth century was a time of fierce conflict been warring Maharajahs as well as from barbaric tribes from the north.  So a series of defensive structures were a true necessity back then, and an absolute breath taking site for visitors today.

     As we arrive at the base of the hill, I am struck by the colorful sight of the elephants.  There had to be at least twenty of these massive animals, and they were all lined up like large books on a shelf.  Each of these magnificent creatures were garbed in bright red and vibrant blue adornments, and they looked like they were ready to visit a royal palace or at least ready to tote two middle aged Americans to the top of a hill.  So we proceeded to climb to the top of a rickety wooden platform in order to mount our rambunctious elephant.  Here we sat in a very comfortable basket, as our young turban clad driver got our elephant moving up the steep paved path.  We slowly rock back and forth as we patiently ascend to the entrance of the fort.  From here you could see the gorgeous blue waters of Maota Lake and the roughed deserts that spread throughout this region of India.  As we approach the intricately crafted main gate, you cannot help but feel that you were in the middle of a tale from the Arabian Nights or a Rupert Kipling novel. 

    As we passed through the gate and into Jaleb Chowk or the main court yard, we are serenaded by a man playing a sitar.  Talk about setting the mood for this incredible place.  We dismounted the elephant and continued up a series of staircases to the palace.  Here you can see the Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audiences.  Here the Raj would hear the complaints of his people and make official rulings in disputes between individuals.  This part of the palace complex is adorned with thick alabaster panels, ornate wood carvings, and frescoes of Hindu deities.  For a place that has been abandoned since the early 1800, it is in exceptional condition.  As you continue through the fort, you will come across a hall of mirrors.  This room is full of elegantly carved mirrors that were imported from Belgium, in an era where mirrors were more valuable than gold.  Also, you will discover a series of fine gardens in the middle of this ancient palace.  The Char Bagh Garden is still well maintained and provides a lush contrast to the dry aridness that surrounds the Amber Fort.  Finally, keep your eyes open, because you will periodically come across a large troop of Hanuman Langur that roam the palace.  These are the official monkeys of India and they are simply adorable. 

     So as we board a vintage World War II jeep to take us back down the slope of the hill, I look back at the Amber Fort, and cannot believe how incredibly fortunate I am.  I have traveled all over the world and have seen some amazing things, but this was truly an experience to remember!

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Get Me Out Of Here!: The Most Efficient Air Carriers At DIA

Denver International Airport

Have you ever rushed to the airport, frantically maneuvering through the ever daunting gauntlet of security, and finally sprinting down the concourse like O.J. Simpson in one of those old Hertz commercials, only to discover that your flight has been delayed.  This unfortunate tragedy happens way too often to unsuspecting travelers. If it has happened to you, then I would be willing to bet that you have wondered which airlines are usually on time and which one will have you stuck waiting around those monotonous airport.  Well, I cannot vouch for the whole nation, but I do have the 2012 statistics for Denver International Airport (DIA).  Last year, DIA had over 25 million eager travelers passing through it's gates on over 230,000 flights.  Of these flights, by far the most punctual airline was Sky West (a subsidiary of American and US Airways) which was on time or early about 62 percent of the time.  It was followed up by Jet Blue with a 47 % rate and Frontier Airlines with 44%.  Finally, the airline with the most delays last year at DIA was Southwest Airlines with an abysmal track record of 36 percent.  Now you might be wondering about those dreaded cancellations.  Well, last year there were 2,457 flights that were cancelled at DIA and most of them took place in the late winter and early spring.  Not surprising since March and April are Denver's most snowiest months.  I hope that these statistics will shed some light on the efficiency of some of the major airlines and will help you in making your future travel plans.

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Sari, But Can't You Make A Friend A Better Offer?

My Wife Dressed Up In A Traditional Sari

     The last time I was in Jaipur, my wife Maggie and myself went to the Sanjay Bazaar.  We were in search of some handmade textiles to bring back to the states for several family members.  For those who do not know, Jaipur is the epicenter for amazing homemade fabrics, especially silk, at bargain base prices.  So as we walked through this exotic market place, we came across this enchanting little shop that only sold textiles.  As we entered this tiny store in the middle of the bazaar, I was immediately overwhelmed by a kaleidoscope of colors.  The place was chalked full of the most beautiful fabric that I had ever seen.  They had a bounty of silks scarves, cashmere blankets, and an assortment of unique fabric in every color possible, and many of these bolts were decorated with the most incredible designs imaginable.  The owner of this humble establishment kindly asks us to sit down and have a fresh cup of chi tea with him.  Here in this exotic city of Jaipur, a shop is treated like an extension of a persons home, so it is essential to be respectful while you are looking for that all so important gift or souvenir.  As a whole, shop keepers in India are extremely inviting and just so full of hospitality.  As you can imagine, a shopping experience here is not a quick in and out ordeal, but rather a more intimate affair. 

  When our tea is poured for us, we strike up a pleasant conversation and get to know a little bit about one another.  This is typically done in order to create a relationship of mutual respect for the buyer and the seller.  This way nether of the individuals will try to exploit the other one in the up coming negotiation.  We talked about our home towns, our families, and about India in general.  So after or conversation and a spot of tea, our host starts to bring out merchandise for us to peruse.  This includes several elegant bolts of silk.  These delicate pieces of material are endowed with the most intricate of designs.  Our host carefully explained how his wife and daughter hand print each silk with precision.  They take a hand carved wooden block and dips it into a variety of organic dyes.  These dye laden blocks are carefully placed upon the fabric and are pressed down into the cloth.  This allows for the dye to permeate the material and for the image to be placed on it.  This technique is repeated over and over again in order to create these intricate designs that even a Maharajah would be proud of. 

     After my wife picked out several pieces that she could not be without, we began the bargaining process.  Bargaining in India is not only commonplace, but it is expected.  All of the prices that you will encounter are negotiable, and the locals really enjoy exchanging offers for goods.  To most, this is the ultimate game, and they love to come out on top.  To be successful in the world of Indian bargaining, you need to start by making an offer around 50 percent of the asking price.  The dealer will in turn, make you a counter offer.  You should again make a lower offer, usually somewhere between your offer and the new one that the shop keeper just made you.  Then the shopkeeper will counter your offer with a new one.  This will continue, until you and the shop keeper have come to a consensus.  If all goes well, you will walk away with the goods you wanted at a slightly reduced rate and the shopkeeper will make enough profit to keep his business thriving.  When we finally left the store, we had bought a bolt of green silk for my sister-in-law to make curtains with, a shawl for my mother-in-law and a traditional sari for my wife.  Shopping in India can challenging, time consuming, and always involves some sort of bargaining, but it is also a great way to learn about the amazing culture of India and it's remarkable people.

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India, The Land Of Contradictions Redux

A Tuk Tuk In Front Of A Road Side Diner

     As I ride through the streets of Jaipur on a tuk tuk, I cannot help but notice how much this country epitomizes contradiction.  India is a land of extraordinary beauty and extreme filth.  It has one of the fastest expanding economies in the world and yet it possess one third of the worlds poor.  It is a wild, exciting, and truly unique experience for westerners.

     For anyone who truly wants an adventure, try a tuk tuk ride in Jaipur.  A tuk tuk is a three wheeled taxi with an engine no larger than a lawnmower.  They have no sides and no seat belts and roll through traffic at surprisingly fast speeds (around 45 mph).  Thus, if you fall out of one these little green and yellow vehicles, than your more than likely heading to the morgue.  Look on the bright side, you only live once, right!  Unless your a Hindu like the confident and highly skilled driver maneuvering you through the throngs of chaos, that is Indian traffic.  As we slip through the thick but ever moving conglomerate of compact cars, motor cycles with whole families jumbled upon them and bicycle rickshaws hauling massive piles of textiles, I am shocked to see an old fashion camel drawn cart pulling about twelve flat screen televisions on it.  Then I realize that this is India, a place where you see brand new Dell stores full of men in suits buying the most cutting edge technological gizmo's on the market and yet there is a tarp covered shack in front selling the best naan bread that you will ever eat in your life.  This is a place where if you are in need of hair cut you head to a street islander, where a guy has placed a rickety chair and a small mirror in front of a banyan tree and is ready for business.  This is a place where road construction workers consist of women in elegant dresses and thousands of dollars in gold jewelry carrying large dollops of concrete on their heads.This is a place where homes are impeccably clean and yet you have piles of trash everywhere.  The trash men employ pigs and goats to eat up the almost endless supply of garbage.  This is a land where orange clad Hindu priests, who are covered from head to toe in ash since they have not bathed in months since their last pilgrimage to a Varanasi, are talking on cell phones on the side of the road.
This is truly a land of contradiction, and a place where you will find unique surprises on every block.

     So as I sit back and listen to the honks of the cars (every time a car passes another one they honk to avoid collisions) as they carefully swerve around a cow meandering through traffic, I cannot help but realize how modernity and tradition are constantly clashing in this exotic part of the world.  It is an amazing experience, to go half-way around the world to visit a culture so unfamiliar to my own and see how these individuals live.  I truly believe that India is not for everyone, but only when we step out of our comfort zones and try new things can we truly have the most unique, meaningful, and life altering experiences of our lives.

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July's Letter From The Editor

The Amber Fort, Jaipur, India

    I am often asked, what is the most unique or exotic place that I have ever visited.  I almost always emphatically answer, Jaipur.  This Indian city is an amalgamation of underrated beauty and organized chaos.  "The land of Maharajahs" is a land full of adventure, mysticism, and intrigue.  This month we will focus on the desert jewel that Indians call Jaipur.  Along the way, we will climb to an abandon palace on the back of an elephant, and take a jaw dropping ride through this wild city in a tuk-tuk.  We will also bargain for textiles in a traditional market as well as visit a cutting edge astronomical observatory.  Finally, we will continue our Great Itineraries Series with a detailed look at this remarkable city.  So from all of us at The Thrifty Adventurer, we would like to bid you Namaste!

Christopher Morrison
Writer and Editor of
The Thrifty Adventurer

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