On the way to Balotra

Part One

I like to have a quest, something to seek for, as part of the journey.

I have a book published by Anokhi on the distinctive block printing

produced in Baltora.  A couple of years ago we found our way there

and were unsuccessful, however I knew it was worth investigating

once more.

We left Udaipur for our first destination, Ghanero.    A three hour

drive through the Rajasthan countryside.   It this time of year the 

land and hills look quite barren and dry, apart from small trees and

shrubs.   Once the monsoons arrive the land will burst into colour.

We stopped for chai and bird spotting along the way.    Hawks, eagles,

bejewelled  sunbirds, flowers peckers  and grey hornbills   Monkeys 

sitting along the road to Ranakpur.   A stash of bananas in the car were

very carefully thrown out for them to eat, but we had to quickly close

the windows!  

the Flame of the Forest makes a very dramatic appearence

orange flowers with a dark centre  the trees are

valued by farmers because it

produces excellent 

firewood and can stand drastic lopping

a dye from the flowers was formerly used to make

the coloured water thrown at the Holi festival

red silk-cotton tree

no leaves, these will appear after the flowers finish

each flower is almost as big as my hand

pollenated by birds, they drop to the ground while

still fresh and are eaten by deer

The seeds burst open and release fine white silky

cotton threads    too short to be spun, they are collected

to make kapok, a stuffing  for pillows and cushions

a shepherd gathering his flock

believed me there were hundreds of sheep/goats

and so to The Royal Castle in the village of Ghanerao

over 400 years old it is quite a place to stay

a warren of corridors and staircases so easy to get lost

one small portion of the palace

the floor with the lovely windows was ours for two nights

our sitting room looking over an inner courtyard

inside another sitting room and bedroom

the bathroom was reached by a corridor running

along the windows

great for sneek peeps at the Bollywood movie being filmed below!

We spent a couple of days relaxing and exploring.

In one very small village we found a boy weaving durries using

rags of all textures from silk to towels.   Sounds odd doesn't it?!!

No selective process at all and it works.   My goodness he was

a fast weaver, a bit of a job to get a good picture.

Of course we had to purchase a couple of small mats!