Sunday 24 October Jaisalmer

Breakfast on the roof, the air was cooler and Joshi and his helper were wearing long sleeves they said it is the beginning of winter, it was still pretty hot to us. We packed our bags then walked into town.


We decided to visit the Mandir Palace where the Maharaja and his family live, although they have turned part of it in a rather expensive hotel. The stonework is beautiful, we were taken around by a young man who works there he pointed out some unusual photos, paintings, silver furniture and other old things in interesting rooms, outside we could see the roofs of the temples around which the palace was built, we also saw the lovely but rather bleak swimming pool which we commented on - it had no shade. We stood and watched with amusement a string of young horses dashing around the large courtyard, they were taking too much interest in a parked car and we could see some bad behaviour on the way!





We then had a look around a covered market across the road, very hot, where we bought some brightly coloured sweets. As we didn't have a lot of time we returned to Saffron the rooftop restaurant at the Nanchana Haveli for a leisurely lunch, after which we took some photos of the Haveli.

On our way back to Rose Villa I was trailing behind John nosing at everything when I was charged at, and knocked over by a bullock, I was very scared and ran up some house steps yelling at John who then hurled some stones at the beast who was standing deciding whether to pursue me - I don't like cows, it reminded me of a similar experience in Goa, and was quite shaken.

Said our goodbyes before heading off to catch the 4.30 pm train to Jodhpur. This hotel was really nice as well as being near to everything. We were sorry to leave wonderful Jaisalmer, we would have liked to have had more time here, and especially to have gone into the desert on camels.


This station is the start of the line so presumably thats why the train left on time, Not many people travelling no yelling children, good freshly cleaned toilet, a friendly German girl on the side seat and a very pleasant young man sat and chatted with us while his correct seat was being sorted, shame he was moving on as he was very interesting and informed, we then we had the carriage to ouselves till we arrived in Jodhpur around 9.50pm.

Once again there was a courtesy rickshaw waiting, we were treated to a hair raising dangerous ride, narrowly missing animals, cyclist and pedestrians who shouted after him, he was a surly person who tried to make us pay when we reached the hotel.

We were immediately delighted with the Shahi Guest House, a 350 year old haveli formerly a zenana or womens quarters. They told us the room we had booked was still occupied, so they put us in a lovely room with superb view of the lit up Merangarh, a big room with large comfortable bed and bathroom with huge black marble bath, we were quite happy to spend the night here.