Amritsar

November 14th Entry:

I didn't think anywhere could be dirtier and smellier than Delhi, but Amritsar wins!
My goodness, the fumes, and the noise as well as the filth in certain parts of the city was overwhelming.

Then, thank goodness, there was the Golden Temple.
Peace, quiet, cleanliness, serenity and gardens.I stayed several hours in the temple, and saw my first parrots.

The little Indian girls were so cute and so curious. Usually at any popular site, like the temple, 2 or 3 would call out to me: "Hello Uncle...Auntie", followed by giggling, and requests to have there picture taken with me. I think it's the hat, that causes the confusion about my gender. Sometimes I get "Hello sir, you can't go in there, sir....ladies only".
 

I am here in Bikaner for 2 or 3 nights. I have a nice room at the Hotel Harasar Haveli.

I will probably stay 2 or 3 nights, and then it will be on to either Jaisalmer or Jaipur (depending on available transport).

I'm not sure if I'll do the local version of a camel trek.

Here are some pictures I took:

This one is from the Pushkar Fair.

I am currently in Agra at Shanti Lodge. There is a nice view of the Taj from here.

I travel to Delhi tomorrow, and then board an overnight train to Jaisalmer, where I will probably be for 3 or 4 days, before heading back up, and hopefully, visiting Ranthambore (tiger country).

And here I am in front of the Taj Mahal.