Lewis bikes around a bird sanctuary

Leaving Tordi, the group were on the road for another three and a half hours. They were certainly ready for their Indian picnic lunch as they stopped off at Abhaneri – a place with a step-well and famous Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Harshat Mata. (She is believed to be the goddess of joy and happiness, sharing this with the whole village). Even though this city is now in ruins, it attracts people to it because of its famous step-wells which were invented to harvest rain water, and also its temple which still has ancient Indian architecture and sculptures.

Lewis the Lion then had a quick wander around the village. It was obvious that this Rajasthani town was used to more visitors than Tordi as the children seemed more switched on (or cheekier, Lewis the Lion thought!) as they boldly asked the tourists for pens and money. In this village too, Lewis the Lion saw that people led very humble existences as nothing was wasted. Even the cow dung was used to insulate the roofs as you can see in Lewis the Lion’s photo gallery above. Clothes were left on rooftops to dry in the sun. Lewis the Lion noticed that in shops, there were many strings of sachets of toiletries, e.g. shampoo. It seemed that people would just buy what they needed at any given time.

Helen really wasn’t feeling well today as she had a very bad sore throat and almost wanted just to stay on the bus for the next activity. However, Lewis the Lion persuaded her to come along with him as she sucked on her throat lozenges. He was a bit disappointed then when arriving at the bird sanctuary they said that they didn’t have a bike for her but they were in luck: just at the last-minute they found one for her and off they went on their next adventure.

Keoladeo wasn’t just your average bird sanctuary but it was given the status of a Unesco World Heritage site in 1986 due to its vast variety of wildlife. In spite of herself, as Helen cycled down the wide tree-lined avenues of the park, she found that she had a truly magical afternoon and she was glad that Lewis the Lion had twisted her arm!

The pair saw a whole plethora of different animals and birds: storks, parroquets, egrets (white herons), pelicans, swans, pintail ducks, cormorants, snake-ducks, darters, jackals, spotted deer, blue bulls, peacocks macaque monkeys, buffaloes, painted storks and eagles.

At the top of the park, they came to a temple where their guide offered them a welcomed cup of chai masala tea, whilst helping them to spot a kingfisher in the shrubbery by the lake! An Indian superstition believes that if you spot a kingfisher that you will live a long-life. Lewis the Lion was therefore very excited to see one and for rather a long time! Lewis the Lion was even more delighted when above his head he saw some double-barrel geese. These had migrated and flown right over the Himalayas: the tallest mountain range in the world. What incredible birds he thought to himself!

What a very pleasant afternoon indeed, contemplated Lewis the Lion. Yet again he was in awe of the natural world and the wonderful animals which he shared this world with. As he looked very closely through the grassy shrubland, he was lucky to have caught his eye on a spotted-deer. He might have missed it, it was so well camouflaged. Can you see it?

For now, the group were bound for one of the most famous tourist sites in India: Agra. Naturally, there was therefore the expected crazy traffic on the roads as Lewis the Lion and his friends arrived at the Hotel Royal Residency late that evening. Can you guess what monument he would see the next day? Lewis the Lion was very excited indeed. It had been something on his bucket-list for a long time.

As you know Lewis the Lion is a big dreamer of a cat with his crazy idea of travelling all around the world! What experiences would you definitely like to have at some point in your life and why? Are there any places in the world that you would really like to visit? Why?