Amber Fort

A very busy day and night today. First, a visit up to the Amber Fort, with its present buildings dating back to the 1600’s and  1700’s, which served as a palace complex. It is very well preserved. To get up the hill to the fort, we rode on the backs of elephants.

For a movie of our elephant ride, go to Movies, Asia, India.

Amber Fort

The fort is very large and has courtyards surrounded by palace buildings. Not very clear in this photo is the Great Wall of India on the ridges of the mountains (better photos on the slide show).

Amber Fort

The architecture of the fort is a blend of Hindu and Mughal. This a photo of the beautifully decorated Ganesh Pol, one of the gates in the complex.

Amber Fort

Another highlight, among many, is the Sheesh Mahal, the Mirror Palace, with the walls made up of glass–inlaid panels and its ceiling of multi–mirrors.

For more photos of our elephant ride, of Amber Fort, and the Great Wall of India, go to the slideshow at

http://www.peggysphotos.com/day–5a–jaipur/

(Slides Shows, Asia, India, “Day 5A, Jaipur”).

The Water Palace

After coming down the hill from the Amber Fort, we made a photo stop at the Jal Mahal, the Water Palace. The Man Sagar Lake was formed by building a dam and the Water Palace was built in the lake as a viewing platform.

Jantar Mantar

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built the Jantar Mantar observatory in the first half of the 18th century––our next stop. It has 19 main astronomical instruments to allow naked–eye observation of the celestial bodies. It is one of the most complete and impressive early observatories.

The City Palace Museum

On the way to our last stop of the day, the City Palace Museum, we visited a handicraft store. The City Palace Museum was once the palace of the rulers of Jaipur. This is a photo of Raiendra Pol, one of the gates of the complex.

The City Palace Museum

The seven–story Chandra Mahal in the City Palace Museum.

For more photos of our stops after visiting the Amber Fort, go to

http://www.peggysphotos.com/day–5–jaipur/

(Slide Shows, Asia, India, “Day 5B, Jaipur”).

Jaipur at Night–Movie

We drove through Jaipur to a restaurant with a show, an optional tour. This movie shows you Jaipur at night.

Jaipur Restaurant

We were met by entertainers at the restaurant.

Jaipur Restaurant

More of the entertainers.

The Entertainment Greeting–Movie

A nice welcome.

Another Greeting

This woman placed a bindi (red dots) on our foreheads in the area between our eyebrows, which is said to retain energy and to strengthen concentration. Red represents honor, love, and prosperity. We had this done several times on our trip.

At the Restaurant

The waiting area of the restaurant had some very interesting wall hangings.

At the Restaurant

Another.

At the Restaurant

Another.

At the Restaurant

And one more.

At the Restaurant

Hallway from the waiting room to the restaurant. A very attractive place.

At the Restaurant

We ate our meal on an outdoor terrace. There was a good buffet and also made to order dishes.

Restaurant Show

This woman and another danced, this one with pots on her head.

Restaurant Show

Here she is sitting on the ground.

Restaurant Show

And now leaning even lower.

Restaurant Show–Movie

The dancers at the show.

Puppet Show–Movie

After the dancing show, we were entertained by a puppet show.