Friday 13th February: Ramathra Fort

We had a lovely peaceful night at the fort, with it being in the middle of nowhere it is so quiet and peaceful, especially compared to the craziness of Delhi and Agra. After a lovely breakfast sitting outside we went on a 3 hour walking tour of the local village with some of the other guests. The guide was one of the workers at Ramathra Fort who lives in the village and he introduced us to everyone (including his dad, wife and kids!). All the people we met loved having their photos taken - both children and adults - and they often asked you to take their photo, and then wanted to see what they looked like.

We visited one home and the ladies there decided they wanted to dress me up! They thought it was hilarious when they were trying to put the skirt on, as it got stuck around my boobs, but I did draw the line when they wanted to put make up on me!

Rocking the Indian look!

We also got to stop at a school which was really interesting as we got the chance to chat to the teacher who told us about the school. We visited a class of 6 year olds who were reciting the Hindi alphabet and as soon as we turned up they started to show off and were shouting the alphabet and looking very pleased with themselves.

Kids at the school

It really was a great experience to get the opportunity to see people go about their everyday lives, and to be so friendly and welcoming to us gawping at them.

After lunch back at the fort, and a bit of a nap (as it is very tiring looking at people for 3 hours!) we went out on a rowing boat on the local lake - some poor devil had to row me, Peter and the guide for over an hour! It was so peaceful out on the lake, with lovely scenery and lots of birdlife.

He's thinking "I drew the short straw today"

The lake is about a 20 minute walk through forest and on the way back we met the owners who live in the farmhouse close to the fort and they invited us in for tea - we were chatting with them for about half an hour so by the time we left to walk back up to the fort it was twilight - there was a rustling in the trees near us and the guide said it is only a antelope, then a bit further up we could hear deep howling noise not far from us - the guide turned to us and said it was Jackals! Bearing in mind they had a tiger sighting two weeks ago I was glad to get back in the fort!!

We had another nice evening, chatting to the other guests over drinks around the fire pit (how civilised!) and a delicious meal.

 

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