Author Archives: Jo

You see them everywhere; they are nearly as ubiquitous as the Indian cow. Babas, the holy men dressed in bright orange robes with their faces painted. They seem to exude everything that is India and make great photo opportunities. However, … Continue reading →

They came from every direction, clambering over the walls, scuttling along the flat rooftops. They were everywhere you looked. The raiders had arrived. It started at dawn and lasted until nightfall. The fruit trees were ransacked and looted until they … Continue reading →

Now, one of the things we’ve noticed most about India is the wildlife, often with more on the inside of your hotel room than on the outside. After having previously lived with an array of rats, cockroaches, lizards, super-sized spiders … Continue reading →

We arrived in Udaipur with the intention of staying for two days. We stayed for eight. Was it because of the beautiful rooftop terrace, where you could relax with a beer and watch the sun set over the mountains? Was … Continue reading →

Rajasthan is full of monkeys. You usually see them when you least expect them – on sides of the road, sitting in trees, hanging around temples – totally unphazed by the crazy world around them. As if we hadn’t seen … Continue reading →

Jaipur – the “pink city”. “Hyper” would be a more fitting name, and it doesn’t seem like it’s seen a lick of pink paint since it was given this beguiling colour for the visit by Prince Albert in 1876. So … Continue reading →

At 6.15 am, we are collected by ‘the boy’ to take us to the departure point of the minibus to take us to Jaipur. We arrive and the bus man immediately demands an extra $4 from us for “air conditioning”. … Continue reading →

A SIM card – not too difficult to buy you wouldn’t have thought… (Unless you’re in Russia of course, where you have to give your passport details and your phone is registered with the police, just in case you are … Continue reading →

We found the metro by accident. The heavily armed policemen guarding the entrance gave it away. If you’re late for work or in a serious rush to get somewhere in Delhi, it’s probably best to avoid using the rapid-transit system … Continue reading →