Mount Abu

Left Jodhpur this morning and headed south to Mount Abu. Forget all those pictures you've seen of crowded Indian roads as this one wasn't  too different from the ones at home and had light traffic. However, we still saw the odd person travelling in the wrong direction and it made me pleased that the speed limit was only 80 km per hour. Despite light traffic and decent roads we still saw a couple of trucks on their side... Tarun suggested too heavy a load or blown tyres. 

The country was flat and dry for a long way until we hit the mountains . There is a very common tree around here with bright orange flowers and it looks beautiful.

Once again we got into trouble with the navigation system as it doesn't seem to be able to differentiate between walking and driving routes. It took us to a little village with a path that led  up the mountain... certainly not something we would attempt in a car. The good part is that these detours often take us to interesting places.

Mount Abu is an old British hill station which is now a holiday area for locals. We are staying in an old Heritage Hotel that dates back to 1924. Very little has been done to change it so it's very interesting with enormous rooms. 

Tarun has found some nice places for us to stay so far.

It is much cooler up here and a little windy, not that I mind as I know I'm going to strike some very hot weather soon and this is giving me a little respite.

We wandered down from the hotel to the lake and the town centre. This is the strangest place... different to anything I've ever seen. It's like a mini English beach resort with all the things that go with it.... rides on the lake in swan shaped boats, people just strolling around and sometimes eating ice creams, cheap clothes and souvenirs, the odd cow wandering around  and even a House of Horrors!

 

We ate dinner down there then wandered back to the hotel, asking for directions from a man riding a horse. He very kindly rode on slowly ahead of us so we could follow.

It's going to be an early start tomorrow as we have a long drive to our next stop.