India Trip 2013 - Part 6 (Gajner)

Our stay in Gajner was a short one. The agenda here started with an early morning bird watching, followed by boating on the lake, topped with a short hike in the adjoining 6000 acre national forest. So we made a resolution to be up early. One of the key features of the trip was the ease with which we got up early in the morning for various activities. We were ready at the time we expected to be as was our 8 year old sleepy head. 

Gajner palace is rich with trees and consequently is the residence for a lot of local birds. Moreover the lake behind the palace is a stopover for migratory birds from Siberia on their way south. So by 6:30AM we walked up to the lake. The weather was cold and we needed an extra layer. Surprisingly, Navin had not brought his binoculars so the basic one we had brought for the trip was put to good use. Navin has an eye for nature. He would always be the first to find an animal or a bird. He showed many interesting creatures such as a shy fox that had come for a drink, Nilghai, small deer, wild boars, and several varieties of birds. We spent a couple of hours walking from one vantage point to another. Most of us were by now hungry. We had a rather sumptuous breakfast. I was told that the restaurant was a ballroom in earlier times.

View from the lake

The previous night Raji had made reservations for two boats. We all piled on them and Maalini gave us a Carnatic concern on the lake at Raji's request. Some of us tried our hand at pulling on the oars. It was much harder than we all thought it would be with the boat mostly going in circles. The sun had come out and we enjoyed the
calm surroundings. Since there is only one reason to come to Gajner, and that is to stay at Gajner palace, this ensured that the crowds, noise, and dirt, de rigueur in other places, were completely absent.

We then took out some bicycles and went around the hotel and its surrounding areas. Here is my one grouse, bikes were really badly

Maybe a cobra

maintained. Most of them had little or no air and some of them did not even steer straight! During the ride we saw several peacocks, Nilghais, wild boars, and finally (we think) a cobra! As usual, drama queen, Maa, was nearly hysterical and we moved away. We rode till we were tired and came back to the rooms to shower and pack for the next leg. After having a late lunch we bid adieu to Gajner around 3PM with a promise of coming back again for a longer stay.

Next stop, Jaisalmer.