India (2) - Jaisalmer - Aladins home, sand and camels...

The 18 hour train journey from Delhi to Jaisalmer was very comfortable and peaceful; no mayhem! We arrived in the desert at midday and quickly found a hotel and began to unwind; our hotel is at the base of the fort offering great views. The fort looks like something from Aladin or Prince of Persia...

That night we had an easy one to catch on lost sleep and prepare for a long day of riding a camel into the Thar Desert. The next morning we woke up early and was met by a guy called Samir who drove us from the hotel to a small village and our camels in his air-conditioned range rover. Sam and I had a camel each; the camel also carried our supplies. For two hours we rode into the desert and then settled down for the midday day heat under a tree; for three hours we hid in the shade and let the days main heat pass. Our legs ached from the first stage of our ride.

At 4 we rode again to a water hole for the camels and then continued into the desert where we came to the dunes that would act as our camp for the night. The sand dunes were beautiful; on top of one dune were two beds for us. After dinner we settled down for the night in the cool desert; a pleasant change from 40+ degrees in the day. A guy walked around with a sack of cold cokes and beers in the middle of the desert; not a mirage!!!

The next day we awoke to no-nonsense sunrise; it was a like bulb suddenly switched on, no pretty colours, no special effects, just on. We then rode for 3 hours back to a main road where, after lunch, a driver picked us up and took us back to our hotel and air-conditioned room (costing 4 pounds). The next day we wondered around the town and fort and did some gift shopping.

Tonight we head to Jodhpur which we have heard is nice as well...