Birds in Bharatpur

Hello everyone!
Do you like my creative and alliterative title? Hehe I have been trying to live up to the 'great writer' status some people have suggested I have. This blog has really become just a gathering of random thoughts as I sit at the computer though.


So I am indeed in Bharatpur. I was originally planning to come here from Agra by bus this morning, but actually came yesterday afternoon. My reason was 3fold:

1 - Agra was hot dirty and smelly, and constant hassling from just about everyone I met had put me in an 'I hate India' mood
2 - My hotel really wasn't that great once you got over the fact it had a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Taj Mahal. In fact it was downright horrible
3 - My friendly rickshaw driver became a little too over-friendly and seemed to be under the impression he would join me for my day in Bharatpur

So all in all I figured that as I had nowhere else to visit after 3pm, I'd be better to get on a bus and suffer the hot journey then, and have a good night's sleep in my nice quiet peaceful 'jungle lodge' before going to see the birds in the morning. So that's what I did.


The only other guest here last night was Catherine, a medstudent from England who came out here to work in a hospital for a few weeks, and she is also an ex-gapper! We shared dinner so we could have more variety as we were both kind of fed up of being on our own, and spent a good few hours chatting. Then I had a really good night's sleep (my plan to go see the birds at 6am rapidly going out of the window), and a nice breakfast here before walking to the Keoladeo Ghana National Park.


Now you need to know that the main reason I came here for the bird park was because it was recommended to me by 'Richard at work'; a colleague of my Dad's! Although it's the wrong time of year to do any wildlife places here in India, and in fact most of them are closed, he said it was well worthwhile.

And I have to admit he was right. For 25 rupees (30p) I was able to hire a bicycle for as long as I wanted, and go for a pedal through the park. There really weren't that many birds around, and I heard more than I saw, but nevertheless it was a nice semi-relaxing way to spend the morning, and I also saw a turtle, monkeys and some cows (woo).


There isn't a lot else to do in Bharatpur really, and so I've spent my afternoon contentedly chilling with my diary and some wordsearches/crosswords. It's made a nice break, especially as I'm going to the hustle and bustle of Delhi tomorrow. But I am even glad to be returning to Delhi. Never thought I'd say that. But the prospect of staying with Rajini and her family is really appealing, and it also means that in 5 days' time, I will be flying home.

I'm ready to come home now. I think if I'd still been at DUF I'd have been perfectly content to stay in this crazy country, but coping with the insanity on your own isn't for me. Especially after having so much company for so long. Plus it's too hot, I've got sunburn (despite factor 60), bites and a really weird and annoying heat rash all over my feet. Don't get me wrong, it's been great seeing all the incredible monuments and finding & asserting my independence by doing this alone, but I'm not keen to repeat the experience. Another year at DUF? Say when and I'll be there. Another day travelling on my own? I'll stay in bed, thanks all the same.

I think that's just about all I have to say. Feel like I've forgotten something but don't know what. Oh, it's my Mummy's birthday today, so Happy Birthday to her!! :)

TTFN
Philippa x