Bundi, Rajasthan, India

So we had a reasonable trip to Bundi by our sleeper bus! Yes it was a
double sleeper but wasn't as good as the Jaisalmer to Udaipur bus as
we didn't have our own cocoon so we had to keep a closer eye on our
bags. Also the bus was due in at 5am (before sunrise) but as all
Indian bus drivers seem to drive like a khamkazhi drivers we got their
early at around 4am! We had to almost be chucked off the bus as we had
just woken up and they were only prepared to wait their for a minute.
They were slowly driving out of town as we were trying to gather our
things, so they didn't waste any time!

So it's not easy to find accommodation in any place at 4am, but
especially in a little town in India! Luckily, as always the was a
handy rikshaw driver to take us anywhere we want anytime of the day!
They also make so much commission from hotel owners (added to our bill
secretly, I would like to add!), that they love it when the confused
and dazed tourists that we were at that time in the morning, turn up!

So as everywhere seemed closed apart from one hotel owner came out
just as we arrived, strange that at 4am!
Prince Haveli our home for that night wasn't that nice either but we
had little choice at that time. They weren't the friendliest of
management when they heard we only wanted to stay one night! Mainly as
our room was right next to reception & many people arrived late at
night and so was noisy!

So our next home was Raj Mahal Guest House, just down the road from
Prince Haveli so we had to dodge the manager's gaze! This too was
pretty simple but was quieter and the staff seemed friendlier. We
wanted to go to Haveli Rija but the room had become occupied. Too slow!

Bundi is a up & coming tourist resort with an amazing fort (there are
lots in India!) up on the hill. Shockingly, this maharaja palace had
been left derelict to the bats! Luckily it was rented out to a private
company that has slightly restored the place. It's looked like both
the Palace & the fort on the hill were amazing in their day, 400yrs
ago. The fort had become completely abandoned and James went exploring
only to be met by an army of monkeys! Now in the best of times this
may be fun but some mothers were looking after their young so as I
tried to quietly creep walk through them all, some were bearing their
teeth at me. I was sure I was going to get attacked by a rabid monkey!

Bundi otherwise was the home of Rudyard Kipling, when he wrote part of
Jungle Book & Kim in a lovely lake side house to relax in, great
inspiration! I didn't realise but Baloo (which I am sure is a
character in Jungle Book), means Bear in Hindi! Well there you go!

We stayed here for 3 days before moving on ........