Jaipur Pictures

Another view of Jaipur from the Amber Fort.

Jaibargh Fort that is close to Amber Fort. This fort had the coolest rainwater harvesting structures to store water in the fort. It also had an underground tunnel to the Amber Palace for people to get inside when attakers would come- then the entire community would live inside the fort. This is also the site of the world's largest cannon, only test fired because it destroyed people's homes just from the sound.
Amber Fort wall with Jaipur in the background.

Hindu temple in Jaipur

View of Jaipur from the Amber Fort (11km outside of the city) This was another famous Mughal empire fort.
Monkeys have become accustomed to the tourists. Our bus-full was throwing them food in the streets where they were almost run over by the cars.
Amber Palace. This is being refinished and it looks amazing the parts they have been able to repaint and restore.
View of Amber mountains surrounding Amber Palace from the palace gate.
Amber Palace gate.

Inside the Amber Palace.

Taj and Fatehpur Sikhri pictures.

Carved marble pieces on the Taj.
Melinda in front of the Taj.
Fatehpur Sikhri...entrance to the palace of Akbar. They abandoned this palace after 4 years because of a drought and lack of water.
Entrance to the mosque and holy man temple at Fatehpur Sikhri.
Tribute to the holy man that blessed Akbar with a son from his Hindu wife. This is the "wishing well."
The Taj as you walk through the inside gate.

Big picture.

The Taj is all about symmetry on the left is an identical structure that is a mosque and this was likely a guesthouse for visitors to the Taj.
Semiprecious stone inlay on the structure itself.
Margaret and myself in the gardens.

Leaving Delhi....

This internet cafe was not the best in Delhi, but I will be leaving the airport tomorrow, Friday, in Amsterdam to have brunch at our client's home in Delft. I'll throw up some pictures before I get home in Friday evening.

The novelty of Delhi has worn off a bit. We've been finishing up the project proposal in the mornings at a coffee shop and then shopping in the afternoon. Someone please get me out of India before I spend anymore money!

I have a few more stories not posted in this blog, including a small collision outside Agra and rubbing noses with the Indian upper class. Sorry this blog hasn't been better written, but those of you who travel abroad know- sometimes you just can't predict what kind of access you'll have.

The project has been really great! I got some great contacts at UNDP to keep an eye out for and a few people in India who seem to think I would be a good candidate to work there, which is always good news!

Check in Friday for pics.

Signing off from India. . .
Melinda