Bundi

After a night of interrupted sleep, noises of pigeons, monkeys howling, a man being sick, and a loud radio. Feeling cold and congested, I'm happy when the power cuts off around 08:30, giving me a respite and a few more moments of precious sleep. Around 10:00, putting a brave face on things, I surface, have breakfast, and walk up to the run-down palace built into the side of the hill. According to Kipling, it is the work of goblins rather than of men! But well worth a visit, offering spectacular views over the town, blue houses dominating the urban landscape. Adjoining the palace, the Citrashali sports some well-kept gardens and paintings of the Radha Krishna story. Leaving the fort above for tomorrow, I stroll through the streets of the old city, taking photos of local craftsmen and peanut/sellers. A very peaceful town, and a good place to relax for a few days.

The following day, arising earlier and after a warm "porridge" (not made of oatmeal, but similar in taste), I climb up to the fort, the climb being easier in the cool of the morning. The Taragarh fort has been abandoned to the monkeys, hundreds of them living here and paying scarce attention to me, the only visitor in sight. The undergrowth growing through the ruins of this once magnificent fortress makes me think of what our cities will one day look like. After a couple of hours exploring and observing the monkeys, I descend down into the city and explore the lively and colourful bazaar outside the city walls.

In the evening, sitting on the rooftop of the Haveli, I listen to a brass band and drums in the nearby streets, a Hindu wedding procession.