Blogs from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, Asia
Kristian Bertel · India Through My Eyes
Published: April 19th 2012Asia » India » Rajasthan » Jaisalmer
April 19th 2012
Photo by Kristian Bertel - Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is located in India in the state of Rajasthan. The golden city Jaisalmer was founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156 A.D. It was taken name Jaisalmer from Jaisal - Name of the founder king and Meru - Name of the Jaisalmer fort which is on the trikut hill. Jaisalmer has ancient history linked with its development as a trading center. It is among the major touristic attrections in the Rajasthan. Marvels of Beautiful culture and harsh climate conditions. The city with fort made by yellow sand stones will immediately command anyone's attraction here. The photo shows a friendly and smiling Rajasthani girl in one of the alleys of Jaisalmer.... read more
April 6th 2012
Our train clatters forwards along the sand strewn iron, further and deeper into the heart and heat of the Great Thar Desert, a scorched, barren wasteland of scrub, slate and sand along India’s North West boarders. The increasing morning heat is already ominous; sand drifts in through the open windows of the train, creating a coarse covering on the leather seats of our carriage, a frustration intensified by the unpleasant mixture of sand and sweat forming in the creases behind my knees. Even the breeze generated by an open window is mitigated by the fact that the only supply of air has been heated beyond comprehension since day break, such that now, a heated rush of air continuously circulated through our cabin, as if some merciless tormentor sought to reinforce the fact that there is simply ... read more
March 30th 2012
Heather, Natalie and I decided it was time to explore some more of India and we figured why not head to Jaipur for the Elephant Festival and Holi Festival. In order to accommodate the festivals, I left the volunteer project nearly a week early and have arranged to return at the end of the month before leaving the country. Jaipur (March 6-11) The girls and I spent a total of five days in Jaipur. On day two, we went to the Elephant Festival. The festival consisted of a parade of exquisitely painted elephants adorned with brightly colored scarves/fabrics hanging from their husks and pierced ears, large bangles around their ankles, beautiful headdresses and intricate quilts draped over their backs. There were six elaborately decorated elephants competing for best dressed while others were available for elephant rides. ... read more
Jaisalmer : sleeping on the dunes under the starry sky...
Published: March 27th 2012Asia » India » Rajasthan » JaisalmerMarch 27th 2012
Ok, you might have wondered where I've been for the last um... week? I can't tell how long its been! I have been off having adventures thats for sure! Might not be able to get you up to speed in one go but i'll see how far we get, starting new page for each place perhaps. After Bikaner was Jaisalmer, a desert surrounded town with a living fort- perhaps the only in the world. 80% of the town's revenue comes from tourists so it was quite a change from Bikaner- tourists were everywhere!! I met some great people. On my first day I went to this desert culture museum and had a really good chat (and chai) with the director. We talked all about the way of life for people in Rajastan, how it has changed ... read more
Meg Jaisalmerben. Desert Haveli, Jail templom, sivatagban alvas
Published: March 15th 2012Asia » India » Rajasthan » Jaisalmer
March 15th 2012
Az erodben levo 450 eves Desert Haveli feeling-es szallasnak bizonyult, par lepesre volt a Jail templom ami epitezetileg es diszitesben sem hasonlit semmihez amit eddig lattam. Egy ejjel a szabad eg alatt aludtunk, nem is tudtam, hogy ennyi csillag van az egen. Nagyon jokat kajaltunk a Monica etteremben, megfogadva valaki tanacsat, hogyha Indiaban egy ettermi kajala utan masnap nincs gyomorpara akkr erdemes da visszajarni. Jaialmer viszonylag laza, epiteszetileg, mentalitasban es zeneileg i magan viseli az arab hoditok orientalista hatasat. Ma tovabb indulunk Varanaszi-ba ( Benaresz ), 5 ora Jodhpur, ott toltunk egy ejszakat majd onnan 24 ora vonatut a szent varos, amit ha kibirunk akkor az uj rekord az eddigi 6 ora utan.... read more
March 11th 2012
A pakisztani hatar kozeleben vagyunk egy nyugis kis helyen ami kozepen egy ma is hasznalatban levo erod van. Kb. mintha a varban laknak egy 450 eves palotacskaban (haveli). Holnap sivatagi turara indulunk, tevegeles, szellemvaros latogatas,csillagok alatt alvas. Viszonylag csekely a jarmuforgalom ami szo szerinti megkonnyebbules a korabbi varosok altal kisse megviselt tudonknek.... read more
March 6th 2012
Monday 05 March 20.00 Hours After another walking tour and watching the Jaisalmer day pass, it’s time to find some grub I treat myself to an up market meal at Nachana Haveli Nachana Haveli Heritage Hotel on the edge of town. In I tramp my rups as good as anyone else’s and take a seat up in the rooftop restaurant. I have a couple of fresh lime sodas and order the Keema Mutton Matar (Goat with peas) all mutton in India is goat. Dal Makhani (Black Gram cooked overnight and at the last minute cream & butter is added) you can get Dal Makhani at home in some Indians but not like this. Jeera rice and some papads. The rooftop is cool as the temperature drops swiftly at night and we have some traditional Rajasthani musicians ... read more
March 5th 2012
Sunday 04 March 10.00 I don’t get much sleep as India wakes me up at 08.00, so it’s up for a shower. I run the water as it takes an eternity for it to get hot; I think it comes from the neighboring state of Gujarat. I turn as Lizzie the lizard pops its head up to see who is causing all the moisture and frightens the poo out of me and then heads for the ceiling away from the shower. Off for breakfast – cornflakes and milk, fried eggs on toast and masala chai all good. I leave some laundry and head off towards Jaisalmer Fort. It’s extremely windy and with it comes with plenty of dust and its warming up. I stop for the morning shave and join the queue, its long and I ... read more
March 5th 2012
Monday 05 March 08.00 We are out of bed early after good night’s sleep. Breakfast is as yesterday and head off into the street. Not so much wind or dust this morning so a pleasant walk towards town. I stop at an internet shop to blog and buy a train ticket for my journey to Jodhpur on Tuesday evening. I sort some mobile phone time as well. I walk round the road below the fort and take some photos of the local circle and a Spanish tourist takes my photo. I spend the morning walking all over the fort. These days it’s a commercial centre with all kinds of shops but still a wonder in its own way. I stop for lunch and have a salt lassi and a masala chat sandwich all very nice. Then ... read more
February 15th 2012
Jaipur was a memorable experience and now I was excited to see more of Rajasthan. Next on my list was Jaisalmer which is approx. 575 km from Jaipur and takes 8 – 9 hours. Jaisalmer is the city of sand dunes and I wanted to try out the camel safari that I had heard so much about. Since I wanted to see the expanse of the desert, I decided to go by road and rented a car with a driver. Since this was going to be a long trip, I took a 6-pack Godfather Strong along. Cars along with driver who can act as guides are available from private rental car companies and even the State tourism Department. I decided to take the car and driver, from the State Tourism Department. Beni Prasad, my driver was ... read more
