Blogs from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, Asia - page 10

Eventful day today! Woke up early because the man that runs the hotel organised a trip to Bishnoi village for us- a local community of indigenous Indians. We visited a clay-pot factory where I made a splendid wonky bowl. We then went on to a typical home where everyone has opium for breakfast. Me and Laura were offered some but politely declined. We looked around another home where a man makes carpets and rugs from scratch- he was even using the old-school looms! This finished just after lunch where we got the bus to Jaisalmer...what a bus that was! First of all they have ordinary seats, then above them little cabins where people sleep. Each cabin fits 2 people but in true India style a whole family was shoved in there. Then there's the 1 foot ... read more

Jaisalmer is pretty damn awesome. It's a sprawling desert city which is carved entirely out of sandstone with a mammoth sandstone fort looming over it from the cliff top. Our hotel was situated just at the bottom of said cliff and had a beautiful rooftop restaurant with a stunning view out over the fort. We decided immediately that the only way to truly appreciate this epic view was to order 3 large bottles of Kingfisher and kick back amongst the axe pillows and floor cushions with a 100 rupee (1 pound 50) pack of Marlborough lights. Done and done. 45 minutes later and feeling raaather tipsy Sanjay came up to fnd us as we were late for sunset. Apparently it doesn't wait for you - who knew! When we got there the ticket man kindly took ... read more

This has probably been the single location that I’ve looked forward to visiting the most, and it didn’t disappoint. It was always going to be a little different from the others, due to its proximity to the Thar Desert and the troubled Paki border. The fact that I had pre-booked the relatively opulent ‘Opium Room’ in the Garh Jaisal hotel inside the Jaisalmer Fort (which unlike most forts in India is a ‘living’ fort, with shops, hotels, restaurants etc all within the fort walls) added some extra potential interest. The hotel was just great, situated close to all the hustle and bustle inside the fort, and with a magnificent view from my room (as well as from the rooftop restaurant) out onto the ‘golden city’, so dubbed as almost all the houses, all with flat ... read more

After spending 2 years in college, I never thought my last year would be so joyous. I and my friends planned a long trip to Rajasthan for 1 week to explore the history of some of the remarkable places of Rajasthan. It was the night of December’2010, we boarded a train to Jaisalmer which was the first destination in our itinerary and on the very next morning we reached to our terminus point. Day 1 :- After reaching to Jaiselmer Station, we boarded a bus which we had reserved for the entire trip. After a long exhausted travelling for 5 hours, finally we reached to our camp in the lap of nature, so barren but so subtle, situated in the midst of Great Indian Desert, The Thar Desert. Without any pause, we were all set up ... read more

October,embraces winters in northern India and is the best season to travel hot desert of Rajasthan. In late 2008,along with my flat mates I planned a trip to western Rajasthan. It was a bit planned and more than a bit unplanned trip. We had our tickets from Delhi to Jaisalmer but we decided to get down at Jodhpur. the trip starts in an usual fashion of catching train,fixing luggage. occupying redundant berths..... It was the night journey but one can easily feel the shadows of dry Arawali ranges on the way. We reached Jaipur in the Mid night. caught quick tea on the platform. enjoyed the serenity of the night.... Rajasthan is one of the least populated state of India so you will start feeling your space. This Majestic state is blessed with rich heritage,amazing culture,stupendous ... read more