We're up at 4:45 a.m. to be at the train station by 6:15 a.m. Onboard by 7:15 a.m. and we're off.
This journey is only 6 hours (approx. 300 kms) to the blue city of Jodhpur. Piece of cake after our 19 hour overnight journey. Anjali tells us that we only have 2 minutes to disembark when we reach our destination. With all our luggage and 12 people this seems impossible. We make plans where to meet if we don't all make it off after deciding it would not be safe to jump off a moving train! We're so organized....Connor and Vaughan agree to hop off first and we'll all hand our luggage out first and then jump off. It works well and we're off the train in record time.
Our group of tuc tucs loading up at the train station to head to our guest house The Jagat Villas.
We all board the tuc tucs that are waiting for us. This is where it really pays off to have a good tour guide. Anjali is amazing and very organized. To be a woman in India in her position is not common and she is a no nonsense kind of person. This is what's needed otherwise the men would not pay attention to what she wants.
Jodhpur is known as the blue city due to the fact that a lot of the buildings are painted blue. This started as a way to ward off mosquitos. Who knew?
We have lunch at the guesthouse and then I go to try the ATM on the corner. Thank heaven it works. In Jaisalmer I was unsuccessful in getting any money so it is a great relief to finally have money!
The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and is still run by the Jodhpur royal family. It's a bit of a hike from where the tuc tucs let us off but we make it. We have to rush as it closes at 5:30.
We then walk down in to the town to the central market, the Sadar Bazaar and clock tower
The Sadar Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in India. We're quite tired by now and not really enjoying the hustle bustle of the marketplace. We just want to sit down and there's no place to sit.
Anjali directs us to the shop to get a lassi and it feels so good to sit and have a cool drink. Jodhpur is famour for it's lassi and I can see why. It's delicious. This is obviously a shop that caters mostly to locals as we are the only white people in the shop and it's crowded. The lassi is delicious. Anjali purchases some samosas which are delicious as well. We head back to the guesthouse by tuc tuc. So looking forward to a quiet night but it's not to be. It's Valentine's Day and the only other establishment that is close to the guesthouse is a pizza place and they're having a Valentine's Party. Music is blaring! With earplugs firmly planted in my head I drift off to sleep. So tired!
The next day we have an option to go to a local Bishnoi village but I decide to stay back and spend the day with Diana and Alanna. Do something less strenuous. We have breakfast and decide to walk to the Palace. Doesn't look like it's far however Anjali has told us the wrong road and it's actually the back entrance. Twice we try to gain entry but the gates are locked and we can't understand what they are telling us.
We sit and have cold lime soda. There are great views of the Palace and the Fort from here. It's wonderful.
We then take a tuc tuc to the central market. It's crazy busy and the tuc tuc won't go all the way and drops us off. It's like swimming against the current there are so many people.
We find a beer store (very important) and buy two large beer for later. We go to the clock tower and find the place for samosas and the lassi store. We're very proud of ourselves the way we are getting around. When we're having lassi we run in to some of the others from our group. They have arrived back from their visit to the village and have the same idea of revisiting the lassi place. We tuc tuc back to our guesthouse. We are going next door for pizza tonight. Nice change from all the Indian food we've been eating.
The pizza place is good and we're sitting in an outdoor courtyard. I have spinach and corn. Connor isn't feeling well. He keeps eating street food and now has Delhi belly!
Off to bed. We're getting up early and I face time with Sue before turning out the light. Off to Udaipur tomorrow.
Train station in Jaisalmer...very early morning!
This journey is only 6 hours (approx. 300 kms) to the blue city of Jodhpur. Piece of cake after our 19 hour overnight journey. Anjali tells us that we only have 2 minutes to disembark when we reach our destination. With all our luggage and 12 people this seems impossible. We make plans where to meet if we don't all make it off after deciding it would not be safe to jump off a moving train! We're so organized....Connor and Vaughan agree to hop off first and we'll all hand our luggage out first and then jump off. It works well and we're off the train in record time.
Thank heaven for porters...they charge 100 rupees per bag ($2) and this is how they carry them. This has got to be at least 80 lbs. on this poor man's head....that's my suitcase on the top and Alanna's on the bottom. Ouch!
Our group of tuc tucs loading up at the train station to head to our guest house The Jagat Villas.
We all board the tuc tucs that are waiting for us. This is where it really pays off to have a good tour guide. Anjali is amazing and very organized. To be a woman in India in her position is not common and she is a no nonsense kind of person. This is what's needed otherwise the men would not pay attention to what she wants.
Jodhpur is known as the blue city due to the fact that a lot of the buildings are painted blue. This started as a way to ward off mosquitos. Who knew?
We arrive at our guest house outside the city.
It's hot and dusty and the courtyard is like an oasis. Greenery, flowers, lots of birds.
It's my turn to have my own room and I'm loving it. I have a shower and freshen up. Figuring out the hot water system in each place is a challenge.
We have lunch at the guesthouse and then I go to try the ATM on the corner. Thank heaven it works. In Jaisalmer I was unsuccessful in getting any money so it is a great relief to finally have money!
We get back on tuc tucs and head to the Old Mehrangarh Fort.
Old and new get around...
The Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India and is still run by the Jodhpur royal family. It's a bit of a hike from where the tuc tucs let us off but we make it. We have to rush as it closes at 5:30.
The view from the Fort.
Entering the fort
Used for riding elephants
We have audio guides so we rush around to see everything and then meet at the exit.
We then walk down in to the town to the central market, the Sadar Bazaar and clock tower
The Sadar Bazaar is one of the oldest markets in India. We're quite tired by now and not really enjoying the hustle bustle of the marketplace. We just want to sit down and there's no place to sit.
Anjali directs us to the shop to get a lassi and it feels so good to sit and have a cool drink. Jodhpur is famour for it's lassi and I can see why. It's delicious. This is obviously a shop that caters mostly to locals as we are the only white people in the shop and it's crowded. The lassi is delicious. Anjali purchases some samosas which are delicious as well. We head back to the guesthouse by tuc tuc. So looking forward to a quiet night but it's not to be. It's Valentine's Day and the only other establishment that is close to the guesthouse is a pizza place and they're having a Valentine's Party. Music is blaring! With earplugs firmly planted in my head I drift off to sleep. So tired!
The next day we have an option to go to a local Bishnoi village but I decide to stay back and spend the day with Diana and Alanna. Do something less strenuous. We have breakfast and decide to walk to the Palace. Doesn't look like it's far however Anjali has told us the wrong road and it's actually the back entrance. Twice we try to gain entry but the gates are locked and we can't understand what they are telling us.
Hot and dusty road but we see the Palace in the distance.
You can see the Fort off in the distance.
This lovely building houses a restaurant that caters to large groups. Diana and Alanna resting.
It was like an oasis appearing by the time we got there!
We can't find anyone and then we go inside and discover that they are just cleaning up after a party from the night before but they are very welcoming.
We sit and have cold lime soda. There are great views of the Palace and the Fort from here. It's wonderful.
We then walk a little further and come out on the main road to the Palace. We tour the museum. The Palace isn't that old but interesting. We're constantly being asked if people can take their pictures with us. I guess we're special?? Feels weird.
We then take a tuc tuc to the central market. It's crazy busy and the tuc tuc won't go all the way and drops us off. It's like swimming against the current there are so many people.
We find a beer store (very important) and buy two large beer for later. We go to the clock tower and find the place for samosas and the lassi store. We're very proud of ourselves the way we are getting around. When we're having lassi we run in to some of the others from our group. They have arrived back from their visit to the village and have the same idea of revisiting the lassi place. We tuc tuc back to our guesthouse. We are going next door for pizza tonight. Nice change from all the Indian food we've been eating.
The pizza place is good and we're sitting in an outdoor courtyard. I have spinach and corn. Connor isn't feeling well. He keeps eating street food and now has Delhi belly!
Off to bed. We're getting up early and I face time with Sue before turning out the light. Off to Udaipur tomorrow.
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