I am on my way to Menal, a small village with a great attraction. Remains from the 11th century (!) of the Temples of Mahanal, dedicated to goddess Shiva with a huge waterfall next to it, which, unfortunately for me, only thunders down in the rainy season. Let there also be a hotel next to it that overlooks everything. And even more coincidentally, the whole thing is exactly halfway along the route to Ranthambore National Park, my next stop.
The 220 km of quiet highways fly by, while I never drive faster than 90 so that I can react quickly to bad asphalt. I am therefore early in the afternoon at the hotel in question to ask if they have a room available. A few days ago I had already called to ask about the prices, because I do travel low-budget. The 1500 rupee (18,-) is much more than I normally spend, but for once it has to be done.
However, the man behind the reception says that a room costs 2500 rupees. I explain to him that I was told otherwise and he tells me that the rooms of that price are fully booked. I point out the 3 missing room keys on the key board with 30 keys behind him and make it clear to him that I want to speak to the manager. He calls, and sure enough, it turns out that a cancellation has just come in. Coincidence huh?
The room isn't even worth half for the night and I'm already sure I'm only staying 1 night. Luckily I am early and can walk to the temples and waterfall on foot. And that is well worth it. One of the temples is in beautiful condition and the others are apparently still being renovated because the numbered parts are scattered here and there. The golden hour has arrived (the hour before sunset) and that produces beautiful warm colored photos.
Because it is quite remote and not very touristy, I also took the drone out of mothballs to film at the waterfall. I don't use it in the cities because it attracts too much attention. Just as I have the drone in the air, a group of noisy students come and jostle to watch my screen and keep asking questions. The fun is over for me and I pack everything up and walk back to the temple site. Fortunately, they are corrected there by a guard. I ask him if I can fly near the temples, but alas. He is kind enough to walk me around the temple, explain things and blindly point out all the Kama Sutra images. Also nice!
