Incredible Northern India Garden Tour
March 3rd - March 15th, 2010
DELHI –AGRA – BHARATPUR - JAIPUR –JODHPUR –UDAIPUR – DELHI

 

March 11th, 2010

We enjoyed some free time this morning until check out at noon, so we took this opportunity to have a nice leisurely breakfast and wander around the hotel grounds. It was great not to have to worry about bringing our luggage with us to the airport because our coach was travelling with us and would meet us in Jodphur. We packed up the night before and our luggage was on it way before we were. Arrival was fast, out the door and onto the coach. We had the same driver and assistant and even though we could not speak to each other, the smiles were universal. A short drive and we were at our next hotel and checked in. We were staying at the Taj Hari Mahal Hotel and wow, 5 star hotels are sure nice in India. Talk about feeling like a king, or queen. We decided to go and visit a local cottage industry co-op that was close to us and had many good products like carpets, fabrics and clothing. This is run like a co-op and each of the producers is a member. Many live hundreds of miles away and for them, this is the only way they can make a living. They all enjoy a much better standard of living as a result. Some of these products have been bought by companies like Burberry and many other high end clothing and accessory shiops. They are happy and fell a great sense of pride in earning their own living.