Day 10 - Orchha to Khajuraho via Ilkey Moor

The costumed hotel doorman and the resident piper liked to say farewell to guests by serenading their departures with a song pertinent to their countries. Harrison assembled us all on the front drive once our bags were loaded into the coach, and we were astonished to be serenaded by a spirited indian version of "On Ilkley Moor Bah't 'at" .

Nigel had written down the words for them (?) two days earlier and had had them in serious training. It was ....unforgettable. Sorry to be waving goodbye to our life of luxury at the Orchha Resort we had to be dragged screaming onto the coach for the five hour drive to Khajuraho - home to temples renowned for their erotic sculptures.
We started out on good roads through the countryside - fields of yellow mustard and vegetable crops, interspersed with sudden unexpected outcrops of rocks ( very reminiscent of Ilkey Moor )
The road soon deteriorated and we bounced our way into Khajuraho 5 gruelling hours later. Our hotel was right on the main street, and probably the most basic yet. Backpackers were in the front rooms off reception, and we were in the deluxe (!) overlooking the gardens at the rear. Word was out amongst the aggressive traders that a new crop of tourists was in town for the next 3 days. After dumping the bags we walked through town to the Adivart Ethnic Folk Museum, and then back through the gauntlet of traders - Harrison has already been offered home-made whisky and grass. Over dinner the extensive son et lumiere light show turned out to be a thunderstorm and we saw the only rain of the holiday. Luckily it only lasted 15 minutes. Holiday health update: Kevin recovering from, and Jo starting with a touch of the delhi's, and Eddie prone to nosebleeds.