What an amazing trip. Lindy and I stayed on an extra week, mainly to take a look at Corbett National Park and to catch the kite festival and celebrations in Jaipur during the Makar Sankranti festival.
Corbett was freezing cold at night but glorious during the day and I can see why many people say it is the most beautiful of the Indian parks. In the foothills of the Himalayas with a monsoon river running through, it is particularly scenic. We weren't holding out for Tigers given the success of our March Tiger trip to the central Indian parks, nevertheless Corbett treated us to one of the most exciting Tiger sightings I've had and Lindy's first Tiger! It was too late in the day to get any decent shots but the excitement of our driver and his determination to get us a great sighting as the light faded fast made for a thrilling end to one of our days in Corbett and just in time for us to tear back to camp before the strict park curfew. 
The kite festival in Jaipur was equally exciting. Jaipur has a population of maybe 3 million and I reckon all 3 million were either flying kites or watching. Most people were up on their rooftop. The lines are coated with glass so it's possible to cut others' kites and when this happens there's a resounding cry from the successor, akin to England scoring in the World Cup. We did some flying ourselves and it's definitely addictive. Everyone buys 50 plus kites, some buy hundreds to allow for cuts - we spent a few hours on the eve of the festival watching people doing their last minute kite shopping. A bird hospital is set up to cope with birds that fly in to the lines but apart from that, the mood is infectious and jubilant with colourful dancers and special sweets especially for Makar Sakranti. 
What a hoot! When's the next festival?!
Julie
Back from India!!! 24th January 2010
