It had been almost 10 days of travelling for me, and a bit more for Eliza, by the time we reached Rajasthan. Jaipur was pretty full on and there was so much to see that we couldn't help but look forward to some chill out time in a much quieter Pushkar, 6hrs from Jaipur. We took two buses here, changing two thirds of the way at Akmer. Overall the trip was super cheap and tis trend seemed to carry on as we arrived in Pushkar, to meet a guy offering us a room for 200 Rupees at Hotel Shree Palace. Yes- working out at pretty much just €2.55 for the both of us in a private room with bathroom. We chose the most basic as we are a little less fussed by luxury at this stage, and would rather save money for our future crazy endeavors.
It was to me complete relief to know they had free wifi, which I had nearly forgotten existed since being in Jaipur, where wifi was 'not possible' anywhere. Here, however I had time to publish my blogs that I had been writing along the way and all my pictures too. It was such a relief to have this done and out of my mind at last! After chilling out in the hotel for a while, we decided to get changed and head out to find Sunset Restaurant for some food and a pretty view, also recommended by the Lonely Planet! We couldn't go wrong! Turning the corner at one of the many streets in Pushkar, we were suddenly struck by the view we had read about just hours before. We took a seat outside on the wicker chairs but retreated inside, when It started to rain slightly. We ordered pizzas which looked incredible but to our dissatisfaction, didn't have a tomato sauce base, leaving the beauty of the pizza the only thing It had going for it. Towards the end of the evening, as tourists came and went, but nothing like we imagine high season to be, a group of Indian men on holiday started chatting to us. After a general chat with them about India and advice on where to go in Mumbai/Goa etc, we said farewell to everybody and the Holy Lake, and made our way back home. En route, we were greeted by our hotel host who was at his friends stall drinking some refreshments and chatting. We chilled with them on some makeshift stools, having the banter, before we left to head back for a well deserved sleep.
It was to me complete relief to know they had free wifi, which I had nearly forgotten existed since being in Jaipur, where wifi was 'not possible' anywhere. Here, however I had time to publish my blogs that I had been writing along the way and all my pictures too. It was such a relief to have this done and out of my mind at last! After chilling out in the hotel for a while, we decided to get changed and head out to find Sunset Restaurant for some food and a pretty view, also recommended by the Lonely Planet! We couldn't go wrong! Turning the corner at one of the many streets in Pushkar, we were suddenly struck by the view we had read about just hours before. We took a seat outside on the wicker chairs but retreated inside, when It started to rain slightly. We ordered pizzas which looked incredible but to our dissatisfaction, didn't have a tomato sauce base, leaving the beauty of the pizza the only thing It had going for it. Towards the end of the evening, as tourists came and went, but nothing like we imagine high season to be, a group of Indian men on holiday started chatting to us. After a general chat with them about India and advice on where to go in Mumbai/Goa etc, we said farewell to everybody and the Holy Lake, and made our way back home. En route, we were greeted by our hotel host who was at his friends stall drinking some refreshments and chatting. We chilled with them on some makeshift stools, having the banter, before we left to head back for a well deserved sleep.
The next day we headed down to the market were we had some breakfast at Honey & Spice, a very health orientated cafe, which the Lonely Planet recommends. Amazed by all the options for Vegetarians, Vegans and the health conscious, It made me resent Ireland for not having choices like this for me when I lived there. Being in India really makes you appreciate vegetarianism, and because It is already a huge part of the culture, It is never hard to find a beautiful meal anywhere around the country. From what I had found anyway! You could order almost anything unusual, and as long as you are not a super fussy eater then you will enjoy it each and every time. I was so happy looking at the unusually healthy menu and reading the various signs around the cafe promoting, 'you are what you eat' type quotes which made a whole lot of sense. I don't think that people in the western world really pay much attention to what they eat and with the combination of stress, eating a poor diet and lack of exercise, It is definitely a cause of disease amongst people. I felt healthier even being here, having not even ordered yet, and I loved it. I ordered a muesli, fruit and yoghurt packed breakfast along with some brown toast with marmalade which I struggled to finish as It was so filling. It was the tastiest food and It was so nice to know that I was incorporating many fruits and vegetable into my diet here, which I would never have tried at home. Its incredible, the amount of insatiable meals you can create that are meat free and health conscious and for a split second I saw myself living here in Puskar living the culinary dream.
Spending the day wandering through the markets, we picked up some bits and bobs, Indian style cushions, baggy pants and Chakra necklaces to help balance ourselves. We had a very nice chat with the man who sold us the chakra necklaces, about crystal healing and the meaning of chakras which I was particularly interested in, having studied Beauty and Holistic Therapies. We then had a coke at the Sunset Restaurant and took a stroll down by the Ghats at the Holy Lake.
Later that evening we changed back at the hotel and with the temperatures dropping to the late twenties, It was almost cool enough to apply some make up without It sweating off. Ah luxury! We had dinner in the Baba rooftop restaurant, where we sat and had an amazing view of the markets below, and the cute sacred cows, that wandered the street. They were adorable and I couldn't help but capture the love shown from the locals to the animals here in India, It was so beautiful. I ordered roast potatoes with Rosemary and spinach which was served with tomato and garlic brown toast- One of the best meals Ive ever had I would say! Yum! Eliza had some red pesto pasta which looked and tasted divine. We carried on into the late evening sipping on lassi's before heading back to the hotel.
Our last full day In Pushkar, before we would leave for Bundi, saw us visit the Brahma Temple where we walked shoeless, in admiration scattering flowers in thankfulness. We had eaten brunch again in Honey & Spice that afternoon after a visit to the local Beauty Salon where I got waxing and Eliza got some threading done, which we were so happy with. It had been quite funny in Honey & Spice, our first time there, because when I was somewhat finished my huge bowl of muelsi and had put it aside, the owner came by, took Eliza's empty plate and told me to take a walk and come back to finish it. We all laughed but I had a feeling I wasn't leaving until I had an empty plate too. I continued to stuff my belly until no more could go in and he was a happy man when he saw my plate. The next day when I got my huge stir fry, we laughed as I imagined the same situation occurring, should I not finish my meal. I really wished the portions weren't so big here but they were oh so tasty. As luck would have it, I somehow managed to flatten my built up pile of healthy green stir fry, to the satisfaction of the waiter. Needless to say, we were not hungry for the rest of the day! We then took a walk and purchased some more unique little pieces of Indian couture and some more products from the Ayurvedic herbal store. It will be our last evening in Pushkar, this evening, and we plan to go to eat at the Magic View rooftop restaurant. Tomorrow we leave for Bundi, for more relaxation time, before the overnight camel safari in Jaisalmer and the adventures of Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa. We will certainly enjoy the calmness of Pushkar while it lasts, and It has been great to be away from honking rickshaws and annoying touts. Pushkar has fulfilled my culinary and cultural Indian dreams. What an incredible place! x
Spending the day wandering through the markets, we picked up some bits and bobs, Indian style cushions, baggy pants and Chakra necklaces to help balance ourselves. We had a very nice chat with the man who sold us the chakra necklaces, about crystal healing and the meaning of chakras which I was particularly interested in, having studied Beauty and Holistic Therapies. We then had a coke at the Sunset Restaurant and took a stroll down by the Ghats at the Holy Lake.
Later that evening we changed back at the hotel and with the temperatures dropping to the late twenties, It was almost cool enough to apply some make up without It sweating off. Ah luxury! We had dinner in the Baba rooftop restaurant, where we sat and had an amazing view of the markets below, and the cute sacred cows, that wandered the street. They were adorable and I couldn't help but capture the love shown from the locals to the animals here in India, It was so beautiful. I ordered roast potatoes with Rosemary and spinach which was served with tomato and garlic brown toast- One of the best meals Ive ever had I would say! Yum! Eliza had some red pesto pasta which looked and tasted divine. We carried on into the late evening sipping on lassi's before heading back to the hotel.
Our last full day In Pushkar, before we would leave for Bundi, saw us visit the Brahma Temple where we walked shoeless, in admiration scattering flowers in thankfulness. We had eaten brunch again in Honey & Spice that afternoon after a visit to the local Beauty Salon where I got waxing and Eliza got some threading done, which we were so happy with. It had been quite funny in Honey & Spice, our first time there, because when I was somewhat finished my huge bowl of muelsi and had put it aside, the owner came by, took Eliza's empty plate and told me to take a walk and come back to finish it. We all laughed but I had a feeling I wasn't leaving until I had an empty plate too. I continued to stuff my belly until no more could go in and he was a happy man when he saw my plate. The next day when I got my huge stir fry, we laughed as I imagined the same situation occurring, should I not finish my meal. I really wished the portions weren't so big here but they were oh so tasty. As luck would have it, I somehow managed to flatten my built up pile of healthy green stir fry, to the satisfaction of the waiter. Needless to say, we were not hungry for the rest of the day! We then took a walk and purchased some more unique little pieces of Indian couture and some more products from the Ayurvedic herbal store. It will be our last evening in Pushkar, this evening, and we plan to go to eat at the Magic View rooftop restaurant. Tomorrow we leave for Bundi, for more relaxation time, before the overnight camel safari in Jaisalmer and the adventures of Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Goa. We will certainly enjoy the calmness of Pushkar while it lasts, and It has been great to be away from honking rickshaws and annoying touts. Pushkar has fulfilled my culinary and cultural Indian dreams. What an incredible place! x
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