- rest and recuperation day (our first!)
the Diggi Palace is a heritage hotel, a converted, 200-year old haveli ('enclosed space'), a series of courtyards with gardens entirely reminiscent of Merchant Ivory.
we have, for the first time on our trip, done almost nothing - amazingly, we haven't even left the hotel. every day so far in India has been spent travelling, visiting ancient and modern splendours, navigating traffic and walking in the fierce sun, so a break day was always going to force itself upon us.
we reserved a place in a different hotel for a few days' time as the Diggi is a little above our budget, but it would be difficult to stay anywhere for such relative affordability with its own peacocks, scented gardens and cooling courtyards. we did some internet stuff and blogging, rested, slept and read up on future possibilities.
the hardships of the Diggi Palace
it's been good to rest up. i don't think either of us realised quite how busy and event-filled our time here so far had been, or what it and the sun had taken out of us. the food in the hotel is surprisingly reasonably priced, but also unusually bland. but the countless birds and lizards scurrying around, as well as the serene atmosphere and 'last days of the Raj' setting dispel any concerns we might have over the cuisine or the daily price tag. although an extensive hotel, it is a little isolated, but within a reachable walking distance from the fortified walls of the Pink City itself, so tomorrow is going to be given over to a day - our first! - of wandering about, primarily to give Phil opportunities to window / shop in this world-leading centre for textiles and handicrafts. the city and its surrounds, as ever, are overflowing with extraordinary history and sites to match, so it won't be long before we're back on that trail. but, for today at least, it's been good to take our foot off the accelerator for a few hours.
our best
edd & philippa {:-)
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