Jaipur greeted us with a stunning sunset. It was the most decorated of the northern cities, and had a very youthful and jovial air…enhanced by the children of the city flying kites every evening, so the sky was full to fluttering decorations.

Day two in Jaipur, we visited Amer Fort. My favorite room was heavily mirrored, blindingly shiny, and overwhelmingly glitzed. Perfect.

Talia and Gabby leading the way.

Carved elephant details in the topmost corners of a room.

Craftsman carving new stone details. Looked like a never-ending job, given the enormous amount of decorations covering every surface.

From the Amer Fort, we could see another fort located nearby. Didn’t look like too bad of a hike, so once we found a secret tunnel (cunningly labeled “SECRET TUNNEL”), we took a chance and started hiking up the guard walls.

At the top of the walls, the view behind us showed the path we had just taken.

And yes, the walls did deposit us at the fort, where we found a spectacular panoramic view of Jaipur.

Post hike, we descended back down to the city for a few last minute visits in town. The Halwal Mahal was top of our list, and it did not disappoint.

Yours truly, in some classically-understated architecture.

Our album cover.

If only there was a little more detail and color added to this doorway.

#500 of 8,127,835 in my ongoing “Artistic foreground focus” series.

This was also the neighborhood where Gabby accidentally bartered a pair of red genie shoes from 450 rupees down to 150 rupees — truly, the best negotiation strategy is to literally not want the product. Then you’re practically guaranteed to end up leaving with it tucked into your bag.

Shopping and sightseeing complete, we packed our bags and headed to the next destination…the south of India, aka the land of beaches, relaxation, and more Russians that we could have ever dreamed.