Jodhpur but no jodhpurs

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After Mumbai, Jodhpur was literally a breath of fresh air as at last we could feel the air when we breathed. Off we went to our pre-booked B&B, Hem Guesthouse within the city walls. We have been to many places in Asia but the tuk-tuks here are the worst we have seen (although we have plenty more places in India to go to yet). They use lawnmower engines and start by pulling a cord. Then the noise is horrific. Suspension is suspect and as the streets of Jodhpur could not be described as smooth, each bump is felt through your bottom, stomach and teeth. However, it is the only way to travel due to their width in the narrow streets

We stayed with a delightful family who have turned their home into a B&B. They could not be more helpful and we had breakfast on the roof terrace looking directly at the fort, which dominates the town.

We visited the fort via a tuk-tuk, which amazingly climbed the hills, with the help of much gear changing. We expected to find a ruin something like Harlech Castle, however, it was largely original inside with beautiful rooms as it had been when the kings lived here. We found some Indian logic there whilst taking the audio tour around the fort. Each room had a number which you pressed on the audio-set to hear the commentary. However after 16 we and a few other people could not find number 17. Michelle and an American girl found it all confusing and were searching around, however, after consulting a guard Terry soon found the simple explanation that the girls could not work out; 17 comes after 26! Obvious really.

Jodhpur is a walled city in the centre of which is a bazaar which seems to spread to most of the city. There are few tourists and therefore no tourist junk etc. Indeed there is nowhere to drink coffee or sit down. There isn’t a restaurant as we would know it within the walls and we only found one called Midtown which is by the railway station considerably outside. It was also invaluable as it sold beer.

After tearful goodbyes with our hosts we left Jodhpur alas having seen no one in jodhpurs. At the station it seemed almost too easy to find our train and a carriage with our name on it. We shared our carriage with 6 others and managed to have long discussions on religion with a Hindu man who had never met atheists before and was intrigued to hear our views. Almost 6 long hours later, we arrived at Jaipur.

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Photos

Our bedroom
Hem Guesthouse

Beat that for a view
From our breakfast table at Hem Guesthouse.

The Clocktower Jodhpur
Market centre in the centre of Jodhpur

Spice stall Jodhpur market
This very nice man spent 30 minutes explaining all the different spices and how they worked even after knowing we were not buying any.

Funeral Pyre
Here the King's body is burnt and his wives through themselves on the fire to die with him!

King's Consulting Room
Fort