After Jaisalmer, we got the afternoon train to Jodhpur arriving close to midnight. After a short walk and avoiding many tuk-tuk drivers we found a nice, well run hotel and settled down for the night. The next morning we awoke early (mainly due to the heat) and hired a tuk-tuk driver for the day to take us around the main sights of Jodhpur. The first stop was the Umaid Bhawan Palace, a palace designed by British architects for the Maharaja melding Rajastani architecture with art deco (according to the guide). The museum and architecture was very interesting and showed the Maharaja as man of the people, helping to create jobs even though he has little power to do so.
The next stop was the impressive fort, Mehrangarh, which was mesmerizing especially when the walls soared overhead. The audio tour that was included with the entry fee was fantastic giving the fort life and activity. Every piece of the fort has a story; whether it be the cannon ball holes in the wall, the plaque commemorating a man who sacrificed himself to be buried alive or the story of the Maharajas wives throwing themselves on to his cremation fire. Every story and detail was provided by the audio tour. The fort also provided amazing views of the old city, painted blue as a sign of higher class (Brahmin).
By the time we left the fort is becoming very hot (approaching 45 degrees), so we only stayed at the next sight for 15 minutes. The next sight was Jaswant Thada, a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II created out of marble and with several domes, similiar to the Taj Mahal. The surrounding gardens were very beautiful but it was just too hot to appreciate.
On the way back the driver took us to the center of the town and then back to the hotel. That night we were given a light show by Mother Nature. A huge lightning storm system sat over Jodhpur, I tried to catch it...
The next day we hired a taxi to take us to Pushkar (too good for public transport). We arrived a nice family run hotel with great views over the town.That night we went for a walk and ended up being blessed by a Hindu priest with our eternal happiness (really?!?!?). Pushkar is very chilled in comparison to other towns we have been to, allowing us to walk relatively hassle free, and enjoy the restaurants and sights. I would have uploaded some photos but India does not seem to run USB ports that last more than 30 minutes.
Tonight we get a train to Delhi and then a plane to Kathmandu...our final country Nepal...
2 comments:
More brilliant photos and commentary,,this part of india certainly looks so lovely especially in comparison with the delhi photos.
Particularly love the lightning photo, have fun keep safe and love you both the oldiesxx
Thanks for the update, all sounds really interesting but glad to know you're now in Nepal. Not long to go now!!!!!!!!!!!
Luv u both xxxxxx
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