The flights worked ok, although a delay leaving Gatwick made the transit time shorter with little time to explore Doha airport. Landing in Delhi we collected our luggage and found our driver and guide for the day, Sanjay. We were presented with marigold garlands and given the choice of going to the hotel, although it was too early to check in, or go direct to Sultanpur. We chose to go to Sultanpur so the van was loaded and we set off. The drive was a rapid reminder of what driving in India was like! We started seeing some birds like Mynahs and Black Kites and, as we got closer to the reserve we saw Painted Storks and Egrets flying around.
We arrived at the gates, which were shut, but on turning round we were allowed in through the car park entrance. We sorted ourselves out, waited for Sanjay to pay our entrance and camera fees and then we went through to the grounds. We were greeted by a 5-striped Palm Squirrel running around, some murals and info boards and then we went through a gate into the park itself. We started walking along the track, picking up birds as we went. The park is a large lake area so was full of waterfowl and Waders like herons, ibis and ducks.
We continued round until we came to a track that led to a hide which took us much closer to the water and the birds. There were a pair of Garden Lizards on the fence outside the hide and Nilgai were dotted about the park, mainly keeping in the shade.
There were Red-wattled Lapwing, breeding Painted Storks on an island opposite the hide,xxxxx before making our way back to the car ready to go to the hotel.
The hotel was comfortable and welcoming and we decided to eat there, rather than go out, especially as it had been a long flight and day and we had to get up at 6 in the morning for the flight to Jaisalmer. The meal was nice and we soon turned in for a good night’s sleep ready for our adventures.
1 comment:
Lovely first post Gill. Memories flooding back!
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