An early start was necessary for the WAMs to experience an elephant ride on the climb up to the mountainside embedded Amber Palace. Judging by the mobility of some team members, on the back of an elephant was the only way we would get to the top.

The elephants only work for three hours a day so all the tour groups head out early and put the tourists in queue where they get bugged continuously to buy all sorts of useless souvenirs, at prices that start very high in US$ before descending quickly to lower rupee prices . Larry's practice of holding a cricket ball diverted some of the hawkers somewhat, with one hawker wanting to organise a game against us for 11,000 rupees. I couldn’t work out who was to pay who.

Our tour guide for the day was very knowledgeable but spoke so fast I struggled to understand two of every three words. The fort-palace is quite spectacular. The views would be magnificent if not for the haze that covered the atmosphere. The elephant ride was good fun, but elephants have no suspension and the ride was bumpy. Everyone bar Denise enjoyed the ride. Denise would have preferred the climb.

The climb down meant enduring more souvenir hawkers who could be very persistent. On the drive back into Jaipur we stopped at one of Jaipurs’ ubiquitous gem stores. A very brief demonstration of stone polishing was given on the way into a large showroom. Why anyone thought taking 12 Australian cricketers into a jewellery shop would be a profitable experience is beyond me . After enjoying some free refreshments and playing around with Larry’s ball we left without buying a thing.

Into the Old or Pink City of Jaipur we visited the Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in 1728. On this day we needed to add 39 minutes to the ancient sun dial times due to the changes in the Indian time zones since the observatory was built.

From the observatory we walked to the City Palace which comprises of a number of interesting buildings and a few not at all interesting museums. Our guide wisely gave us little time to not enjoy the museums.

After the City Palace is was on to a pleasant outdoor tourist restaurant and then back to hotel, having vetoed the guide’s desire in taking us to a block printing demonstration and textile shop.

Later Tina and I ventured out on the streets of Jaipur where by good fortune we wandered down some interesting streets and found ourselves back in the old city. There are so many small shops selling the same stuff it is amazing how they all survive. To make it harder for themselves similar businesses all set up shop in the same section of the same street, so if you are after a fridge it is fairly simple to get the best price.

After team drinks in the bar, some WAMS went out to the recommended Polo Bar at the Taj Hotel, while the more experienced members retired to their rooms for an early night in preparation for the big game on the following day.