We went to his lovely home nearby and met the Bhavnagar Polo Team, who joined us in a tour of his trophy room where he has collected over the years a total of 55 animal heads - yes, i counted. Obviously, since it's been illegal, there have been no more additions but if there were any more it would be less of a house more of a museum. He even had those rugs which are flat animal skins except for the stuffed head...
On Saturday we watched a friendly Polo Match - something we've never seen before, and that night we went to the Millionaire's house for a party with the Prince, the team, and a lot of other people! It was a little like a Cribs moment, the pool was all lit up, the garden was decorated and chefs cooked around the edges where we could all see. Fancy!
At school, we're busy working towards our performance and this week I took my turn in the Kitchen - attempting to learn how to cook from the maids! Bare in mind between like 8 of them, nobody speaks any English. But it was so much fun! Made roti's, and our much loved Chi - without burning myself!
We've also met one of the children we will be sponsoring - thanks to all the support from you guys at home! His name is Harsh (pronounced Hursh) and he is absolutely adorable. Actually, we taught him in one of our first classes here and he stood out from the beginning. He is 5 years old with the cheekiest of smiles, speaks English very well and with such confidence, and he was the first child to bring to our attention the Indian tradition of touching someone's feet as a sign of great respect for them. He's lovely, and an excellent student, but since his Dad died a year or two back, his Mum was struggling to keep him in school.
That was one of my favourite moments, finding out that we get to help him. He's asked me since, "You are my sister, yes?" So sweet.
AHA! Nillambag palace!! (the hotel where the giant indian wedding was held). We popped over to the hotel that was once the Kings palace, and i had a quick look around, remebering all the stairs and the balconies, particularly the one which Paul and Renu made their speeches :)
After climbing up the flight of stairs we met and shook hands with the majority of the international polo players :) one of them in particular stood out as a shorter version of Ashley Cole and Therri Henri mixed... we secretly nicknamed him Ashley Henri...inventive i know! Anyway, it was rather hot! So we moved on to the millionaires mansion (Charad) whos profession is actually selling sinks to B and Q back in England. And his passion is playing Polo.
The photos i took on my phone just doesn't do the mansion justice. It is, like Vikki said, an Indian version of Cribs!
The prince of Bhavnagar (very lovely, funny old man) is, well funny! Very good relaxed host :) and it was lovely to sit outside in his backyard of something like... 5 acres? with a man made pool, that admittedly had dried up due to the poor monsoon and epic heatwave we're currently experiencing! But nonetheless...it was lovely sitting under this giant tree on a stone bench next to the prince whilst being surrounded (literally) by polo players... it was a good day...
Harsh! OMG is adorable! I love him and want him as my little brother... no offence Max... but hes such a bright little boy! So so cheeky and just hillarious! Im amazed by how well he speaks English! :) Hes definately the one we're gonna photograph in the Mallards tee shirt :)
Very hopeful for his bright future! I think he said he wanted to be a pilot! :) SO IMPRESSED! and jealous... i wanna be a pilot...
