I guess that the trip has been so exciting for me that I can’t help but share more of it. There is something with these vacations that lingers on pleasantly in the memories long after the actual thing is over.
I still am beseeched by the medieval charm of the palaces, scenically complimented by the ‘Birla Mandir’ made of pure white marble.
The famous Taj Mahal in India was also made from marble specially imported from Jaipur!
Although I am not a very religious person but definitely a spiritual one, the calm and peaceful environment around the temple, somehow invoked a feeling of respect and reverence to God.
Situated adjacent to the temple was this pure marble construction of god Shiva’s idol. Surrounded by marble pillars, the God has an arm raised for blessing (a common feature in most Hindu idols).
With the calm and serenity still pervading we made our way up towards the Amber fort. En-route we came across another temple, significant because the Rajas of Jaipur used to pay their obeisance here before setting out for war.
By now Sun was almost relentless with its heat, undaunted we hired a guide to guide us through the complex yet beautiful intricacies of the palace architecture.
Now we have to give something to the genius of the architects of that era, the structure here is the sheesh-mahal, loosely translated it means a palace of reflecting glass. Designed as a winter bedroom for the royal females, its indo-Persian architecture of reflecting silver ensured that the oil lamps fixed on either side of the room get uniformly reflected, lighting the room, besides keeping it cozily warm.
That’s the roof of the sheesh-mahal, opulent!
The structure here was the summer bedroom! We were told that the royal rooms, inside the structure, had a storage space for rain water on their roofs, keeping the rooms cool. These people certainly had an idea of rain water harvesting! Concepts believed to be so recent and in vogue, ante date almost a century
Finally, we were taken to the museum, again a glorious edifice of indo-sarcenic architecture and housing remarkable remnants of an interesting era. The museum has been modelled on Victoria and Albert museum in London.
Now with the trip over and having compulsively shared my excitement with you I am back to the routine, but it is no longer drab and monotonous.
No! It is definitely not a desert, at least not yet! (Although it just might soon be, considering the global warming and lack of rains); this ‘ship of desert’ was enjoying the sun right at the centre of the garden. Later, I found that the camel was hired by the authorities for the children to enjoy a ride
Now that was an interesting find! This low spreading tree was teeming with mini-chandelier like flowers. Still searching for its name though. Its heart shaped leaves resemble those of Disanthus but the flowers are quite different.
These beautiful cacti and succulents were providing perfect contrast to the flowering plants. Agaves and Yuccas were basking in the glory of evening sun. 
Finally, this beautiful specimen(which is actually a fountain!) created by man, attempting to mimic nature, was standing romantically against the backdrop of setting sun.
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