Am(b)er Fort

Not far outside the city of Jaipur, perched half way up a hill lies Am(b)er Fort. There is some discussion as to if it  really Amer Fort (named for the small town it is a part of) or Amber Fort (after its yellowish golden glow). The fort dates back to the 16th century and wandering around inside evokes a feeling of discovering another time period. You can follow which ever path your feet take you on, slipping up dark stairways, around more corners then should exist in a fort modeled around a courtyard, into unexpected vistas, and under small pavilions; all without knowing exactly where you are in the four story fort or how you got there from where you were before. At times I swear I only walked a few steps and the next thing I knew I was looking into the courtyard or the hills from the opposite side then I'd been earlier. It is the type of place you need to embrace getting lost in so that you can fully appreciate all that it has to reveal. I loved the views out over the hills, where old walls dividing Rajasthan from the next state over still stand and how you realize that you really are only half way up the hill since there are two more forts above you. The small attention to detail found in the small buttresses and the animals carved in between each support. The vibrant green garden and the impressive water system which required the use of an animal to keep water pots rising from the lake below. The central pagoda, Jai Mandir, that sparkled in the sun since it was covered by mirrors and silver accents. What else does Am(b)er Fort have to offer? It all depends on what you stumble upon.