Ahmedabad

The sisters from St Mary's took us to a fabulous restaurant in Ahmedabad - we started with watermelon juice and appetizers in a huge lounge with low benches and tables and a spectacular mobile of papier mache figures. We then ate dinner on a rooftop patio with stars shining and bats flitting above our heads. The meal was an authentic Gujurati Thali, complete with instructions. We all ate very very well!

The next day we were taken to The Calico Museum of Textiles to learn more about the rich history of fabric making and decoration in Gujurat state. Set in an ancient mill, the museum could be very informative, but a somewhat speedy compulsory tour, led by a women who seemed knowledgable but who rushed us from room to room and left no time to ask questions, while an army of attendants constantly warned us not to touch the textiles, all of which are encased in heavy plastic. A slightly bizarre experience, but interesting in some ways.

We then paid a brief visit to a Jain temple where the cool marble and shade was a nice relief from the heat, before enjoying a spectacular lunch prepared for us by some of the women at St Mary's.

In the afternoon our sightseeing continued with a bus ride out to an ancient well / bathing complex built for a queen. Sorry to be vague on details, but I don't have time to write much...

We then stopped at Gandhi's ashram which was very meaningful for many of us, and we were disappointed not to have more time to spend in the informative museum.

A late flight brought us back to Delhi for the last couple of days of the tour...