We've checked out of Jaisalmer and are now
heading south to Jodhpur. We've been on the road for a couple of hours and
still have another 170 kilometres to go. It doesn't sound far but it is
particularly slow going today. There is a lot of pedestrian traffic walking in
both directions on the road and there seems to be more than the normal amount
of roaming livestock.
We ventured out late yesterday afternoon to do the camel ride. It was about a 30 minute drive out to where it seems every tourist in the region was flocking. It was a tent city with several tourist camps out at this spot in the desert. Within minutes of arriving, we were directed to our camels that were all lined up like soldiers sitting on their haunches ready for us to mount. In an instant, we were unceremoniously elevated a couple of metres vertically. While most of us rode these ships of the desert, a few were content with riding in a camel drawn cart.
The camels travel at a reasonable pace, initially on the flat but then up and down the sand dunes. No matter which direction you looked across the dunes, all you could see were tourists riding camels. There must have been a hundred or more. One thing I have learnt is that it is some mean feat to be able to successfully take a decent photo while being bounced around by a camel. I don't think anyone was disappointed with the activity despite the desert heat. We then all stood around on the sand dunes for about an hour to catch the sunset before driving back to the hotel in the dark.
We spent most of yesterday afternoon touring the Mehrangarh Fort in the blue city of Jodhpur. This huge fort that dates back to 1459 sits proudly on the hill with its huge walls meandering down and around the contours of the land for five kilometres. It is an awesome sight from a distance and equally impressive on the inside where you walk yourself through 33 points of interest within the museum receiving brilliant commentary via the audio guide system.
The fort contains a number of palaces that are exceptionally well maintained.
Our afternoon concluded with a stop at a textile merchandiser where, following a presentation, many purchased textiles spun from pashmina, kashmir, yak or silk.
This morning we are making good progress driving to Ranakpur in a southerly direction and then on to Udaipur a relatively small city with a population of around 600,000 for the night. We have had one scheduled stop at a temple in honour of a guy killed on a motor bike back in 1992. The story goes that his motorbike twice managed to get to the site of the temple from the police station where it was garaged and witnesses claim to have seen the dead guy riding it there. After the second event, the Temple was built and worshippers and tourists alike have been visiting to burn incense in his honour ever since. The motor bike is there on display in a glass case.
About the last hour before lunch was spent driving through a city on narrow roads and built up area of roadside shops and markets. Kilometre after kilometre of them. The road was in poor condition and the bus often took up so much of it that it was close to touching the shops on both sides. Despite this, all of the cars, motor bikes and pedestrians all got where they needed to go. One old gent sitting up on his elephant was even able to negotiate a route.
After lunch the scenery changed completely. We appeared to have left the desert behind and we were starting to encounter thick bush. Eventually, deep in a forest we arrived at Ranakpur Temple.
Built in the 14th century, Ranakpur Temple is an example of exquisite harmony of religion and art. The architecture of the temple represent the Jain religion of which there are around twelve million followers in India.
This 14th century temple is 100% intact and the marble work and carving is breathtaking. 1,444 huge carved exquisitely designed columns (every one different) support the central dome and the four Symmetrical steps and entrances over the one acre temple.
Our last view of the temple was from the bus about ten minutes after we left it. As the bus struggled to climb the steep mountains of the Aravalli range, we managed a quick glimpse of it tucked away in a remote valley.
The Aravalli range is another story. 90,000 tigers were shot and killed here up until about 1970. The area remains the habitat of leopards, monkeys and small black bears. It's been a big day and it's not over yet as we still have about three hours to drive to get to Udaipur, the city of lakes tonight.
Hopefully, this blog will be posted from there.
Cheers again.
We ventured out late yesterday afternoon to do the camel ride. It was about a 30 minute drive out to where it seems every tourist in the region was flocking. It was a tent city with several tourist camps out at this spot in the desert. Within minutes of arriving, we were directed to our camels that were all lined up like soldiers sitting on their haunches ready for us to mount. In an instant, we were unceremoniously elevated a couple of metres vertically. While most of us rode these ships of the desert, a few were content with riding in a camel drawn cart.
The camels travel at a reasonable pace, initially on the flat but then up and down the sand dunes. No matter which direction you looked across the dunes, all you could see were tourists riding camels. There must have been a hundred or more. One thing I have learnt is that it is some mean feat to be able to successfully take a decent photo while being bounced around by a camel. I don't think anyone was disappointed with the activity despite the desert heat. We then all stood around on the sand dunes for about an hour to catch the sunset before driving back to the hotel in the dark.
The last rays of sun
It's now Thursday and we have spent our one
night at the glorious Hotel Indiana Palace. Wow, what a joint! It had a massive
amount of rooms and excellent gardens and facilities and an abundance of staff
bending over backwards to please you. We spent most of yesterday afternoon touring the Mehrangarh Fort in the blue city of Jodhpur. This huge fort that dates back to 1459 sits proudly on the hill with its huge walls meandering down and around the contours of the land for five kilometres. It is an awesome sight from a distance and equally impressive on the inside where you walk yourself through 33 points of interest within the museum receiving brilliant commentary via the audio guide system.
The fort contains a number of palaces that are exceptionally well maintained.
Old mate!
As we boarded the bus at the end of the tour, we
were treated to the eerie sight of hundreds of black kites flying around the
fort just as they do late every afternoon.Our afternoon concluded with a stop at a textile merchandiser where, following a presentation, many purchased textiles spun from pashmina, kashmir, yak or silk.
This morning we are making good progress driving to Ranakpur in a southerly direction and then on to Udaipur a relatively small city with a population of around 600,000 for the night. We have had one scheduled stop at a temple in honour of a guy killed on a motor bike back in 1992. The story goes that his motorbike twice managed to get to the site of the temple from the police station where it was garaged and witnesses claim to have seen the dead guy riding it there. After the second event, the Temple was built and worshippers and tourists alike have been visiting to burn incense in his honour ever since. The motor bike is there on display in a glass case.
About the last hour before lunch was spent driving through a city on narrow roads and built up area of roadside shops and markets. Kilometre after kilometre of them. The road was in poor condition and the bus often took up so much of it that it was close to touching the shops on both sides. Despite this, all of the cars, motor bikes and pedestrians all got where they needed to go. One old gent sitting up on his elephant was even able to negotiate a route.
After lunch the scenery changed completely. We appeared to have left the desert behind and we were starting to encounter thick bush. Eventually, deep in a forest we arrived at Ranakpur Temple.
Built in the 14th century, Ranakpur Temple is an example of exquisite harmony of religion and art. The architecture of the temple represent the Jain religion of which there are around twelve million followers in India.
This 14th century temple is 100% intact and the marble work and carving is breathtaking. 1,444 huge carved exquisitely designed columns (every one different) support the central dome and the four Symmetrical steps and entrances over the one acre temple.
Our last view of the temple was from the bus about ten minutes after we left it. As the bus struggled to climb the steep mountains of the Aravalli range, we managed a quick glimpse of it tucked away in a remote valley.
The Aravalli range is another story. 90,000 tigers were shot and killed here up until about 1970. The area remains the habitat of leopards, monkeys and small black bears. It's been a big day and it's not over yet as we still have about three hours to drive to get to Udaipur, the city of lakes tonight.
Hopefully, this blog will be posted from there.
Cheers again.
 |
Water wheel used to raise water from a well to a channel using bullocks |
 |
| Another favourite photo |
Oh what memories you’re stirring up. I can almost feel the craziness, the colours and the smells of India again. Then through all the hassle and bustle you can arrive at a truly breathtaking palace or fort and you forget the urine filled streets! I could go back and do it all again but I don’t have to because we have your blog! Miss you Chez. xx
ReplyDelete