James Tung's Bulletin Board 非型男非主廚之詹姆士

June 23, 2007

INCREDIBLE INDIA - JAIPUR 2

(an astonishing view of Amber Fort)

(a close view of Amber Fort)

(Amber Fort, a view form elephant back)

(Amber Fort)

(inside the Amber Fort)

(Jal Mahal in the middle of a dry lake)

Amber Fort (琥珀堡) is one of my favorite sites in this trip. It was built in 1592 and the color is similar to amber, so it is called Amber Fort. It is located in the middle of a mountain, gives its a great position for defense purpose, also gives a astonishing view of itself. We took an elephant ride from the bottom of the mountain to Amber Fort and have a down hill ride on a jeep.

Amber Fort does not only give a great view from outside, there are also many well-decorated building inside.

Jal Mahal(水上皇宮) is supposed to be a "Water Palace" sitting in the center of the Man Darobar Lake, but now it is just the beginning of rainy season in India. So we can not see this "Water Palace", but a palace in the middle of a dry lake.

* The elephant we rode to Amber Fort was like a young Formula one driver. That No. 11 elephant passed over 6 other elephants when we were on the way up to Amber Fort.

INCREDIBLE INDIA - JAIPUR 1

(Jantar Mantar)

(Jantar Mantar, an ancient clock)

(City Palace, view from Jantar Mantar)

(City Palace) (City Palace)

(The huge silver water jar at City Palace)

The first day in Jaipur, we visited 2 places; one was Jantar Mantar(天文台), another one was City Palace(城市宮殿). Jantar Mantar is more like a park, displaying collection of many architectural astronomical instruments. You will be amazing how these instruments work and how accuracy they are!

City Palace was built in 1726, some part of it is opened to public, and some is still with noble people living inside. Don't miss the museums inside the City Palace, you can learn a lot about India dress and ancient arm and weapon.

In the middle of City Palace, there are 2 huge silver water jars getting people's attention. They were built in 1902, for Madho Singh II's trip to London. He wanted to have the holy water from Ganga River for drinking and watching during his trip.

June 22, 2007

INCREDIBLE INDIA - THE TRAIN

(crowded platform. old and dirty, but with digital sign board.)

(train is coming!)

(on the train)

After a 6-hour flight from Taiwan, we arrived in Delhi in the early morning. After having breakfast, we headed for New Delhi Railway Station for Jaipur. Though it was in early morning, there was a HEAVY traffic around the station and it was beyond our imagination.

The Delhi station was another shock to me; it looked like a abandoned building without lighting but a lot homeless people sleeping there.

Anyway, we still had a train to catch! We took the AC chair car; clean and nice (Indian standard). Because it was a early train, so they served bottled water, 2 times breakfast and juice, which was better service than Taiwan High Speed Railway :)

There were more astonishing views during the ride, but I would rather not to mention it. Anyway, we arrived in Jaipur safely after 5 hours.