Jaisalmer-Jodhpur

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Spent a week in Jaisalmer - the desert. Now in Jodhpur where the connection is faster, I can add some pictures.

Each city has some impressive fort, equal to anything in Europe but with an Indian style. Quite impressive.

Camel safari was quite fun, but extremely punishing on the first day. The camel moves with a rocking motion, and your legs are unsupported and swing about freely. The result is, that after a few hours it feels as though your legs are being shaken off under their own weight! The desert scenery is unbelieveable, and surprisingly varied, going from moonscape to short grass, to all of one type of shrub, to all of another type of shrub, and often abruptly, as through someone drew a line marking where one should stop and the other begin. Getting on the camel - the camel sits while you through one leg over, and then the back end goes up first and then the front end, while you cling tenaciously to the saddlehorn. Camels are surprisingly good tempered. Farah's gently wiped his nose on my leg.

Took the semi-deluxe bus to Jodhpur yesterday, not too bad, took about 6 hours and cost 300 rupees. It crowded up a bit at one point but was just fine. The fellow in front of me was chewing betel and trying to spit it out the window at speed, which gave a mist effect to those seated behind, but luckily one man near us straightened him out! Farah tried to hand-santizer herself. One chatty guy Hiresh is getting married soon and wants to build a new movie theatre in Jaisalmer now that it is growing with increasing tourist interest. Nice guy.

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Photos

Part of Jaisalmer fort gate
Note the rocks for dropping

Farah and Mr Vyas
This gentleman showed us around the Jaisalmer oasis

Farah outside the Jain temple
Small but ancient temple near Jaisalmer

The camel safari crew
Ramesh the driver, plus camel torture devices Rocket, Raju and Johnny Walker

Comments

[kirsten]

hello!
hi farah and john - just wanted to let you know that i'm really enjoying your blog entries. it's great to hear what you are up to!! sounds amazing. and the photos are great. too bad that you won't have the 5-star accommodation as planned - hopefully you aren't too desperate for more luxury. it looks and sounds like you are managing well so that's great! take care, kirsten

[Kath]

Cool Pics!
Hey Farah and John, Cool pics!! It is just gorgeous and you look like you are having a wonderful time. I get excited checking in to you blog to see where you are next. :) Hope all is well.

[Jeremy W]

Camels
Level with us couz - how many times has a camel spit on ya??

[FarahAndJohn]

No camel spit?!
Honestly, it was almost disappointing considering the reputation. Though they did make a nice "Mmmeeeeengh!" to complain as they were being saddled. And the breath was like salad gone bad (brown water in bag). Stay upwind.