He then takes us for a lovely peaceful start to the day, having a wander around a very pretty park. At the gateway, a coconut seller expertly takes the top off two coconuts and makes a hole in each to insert a drinking straw. Delicious.
The walk in the park is lovely, amongst attractive fountains, flowers, trees and the usual endearing cheeky chipmunks. It is a good serene start to our day. In the midst of the park is a seller of memory cards, which is handy, and H is able to get an 8mb top up for his camera.
We then go to post some heavy items home. There's our spices, my marble coasters, H's engine lamp and a book. Over the road from the Post Office is a small cuboid concrete shop unit, which specialises in wrapping parcels. A cadboard box that looks too small, but turns out to be just big enough is unearthed and Salim helps us to squeeze everything in.
The woman then goes to work tailoring a snug fitting cotton jacket to wrap the package. The open side is hand-stiched into place and blobs of sealing wax applied to all the seams. While this is going on, Salim goes to queue for us in the Post Office. He calls us on H's mobile to say he will be at the front in just 5 mins and we dash across the road to get the package sent off.
It's all been thirsty work, so next Salim takes us to a roadside stand, where freshly juiced orange and pineapple are served. It is fabbly good!
Salim takes us to visit the town's zoo. We wander along a path, through a park in the heat of the middle of the day. People are crashed out asleep on the footpaths and a tractor driver lies zonked out across the seat and tops of the wheels of his tractor. At the side of the path, H is excited to spot a 15" guage railway track and the quest is on to track it to its source. En route, meeting a colony of spider monkeys.
Eventually, we come across the station and for a minimal sum, are able to board the train and off we go! - Very exciting!
The engine is a converted tractor- chain drive it turns out. We find this out a few minutes into our trip, when the chain breaks and we peter quietly to a halt. We exchange some chat with our fellow passengers and then hop out to take a look at the damage. It doesn't look like this is going to be an instant fix, so we decide to cut our losses and fnish the journey on foot. Not sure if we ever do find out quite how we were meant to get into the zoo, but we did get to see the train again later on and this time photographed it as it went over a crossing.
We exit the park and enter the vintage car museum, with its fab collection of beautifully restored and cared for cars of maharajas. I expecially like the solar powered tricycle. Late lunch in the round restaurant that's in the middle of the museum - a thali served by quietly courteous staff - delish!
We visit the lakeside to photo the palace, then go back to the hotel, so we can use the internet and check on our travel plans.
In the evening, we go to watch traditional dancers in the museum opposite the hotel. It is a fantastic show - Salim's recommendation is as good as ever.
H slammed his finger in the bedrrom door, which was not so good - crushed, throbbing and bleeding profusely!
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