Breakfast this morning was a bit delayed as the cook hadn’t turned up. So a number of us waited until someone else stepped in. That meant the selection was a bit restricted. Masala omelette and toast was about it. So that’s what I had.
Anyway, the sun was shining again so I set off on a very bumpy road for a couple of hours towards Jaisalmer.
The scenery began to change to something a bit flatter and more desolate –
Anyway, the sun was shining again so I set off on a very bumpy road for a couple of hours towards Jaisalmer.
The scenery began to change to something a bit flatter and more desolate –
Seems about right but best check if I’m on the right road –
Yep, that’s right. So a quick look down the road (can you see the camel?) –
Nope? Here they are –
Anyway, time was passing, breakfast wasn’t such a great affair so I thought I’d stop for an early lunch. Yesterday was nice if a bit overpriced so I plumped for one of the local truckstops.
Here, by the way is the car I’m in -
This is the establishment –
First things first, get the tea sorted (made with cardoman, all milk and plenty of sugar) –
Order the food from the chef –
This is the owner, posing nicely -
Hang on, where’s my tea gone? –
Aha! There it is, waiting for me –
A short wait and the meal came. Plenty of raw onion and the curry was paneer (cheese) based though what else was in it I’ve no idea –
Headed off again after paying the equivalent of one euro and a few cents. A little while later I came across this memorial as I was passing near and army base. The relevant line states “Who left for his heavenly abode in an unfortunate accident during FD (?) firing.”
I bet there’s a story behind that!
Another hour or so later Jaisalmer came in to view –
A bit closer –
Thought I’d check in to the hotel first even though I intend to have a walk round the fort/old city. I first drove down this small street but then the hotel appeared, better than I expected –
Sorted myself out and went for a walk up to the fort. There are many, many photos, most are obvious and the first few are as I walked around to the gate. As with many forts the first gate you come to isn’t the gate inside, it just leads to another and then yet another gate, usually around a bend or two, for defensive purposes.
The last couple are back on the way out through the gates.
Originally started to be built in 1156AD, it took about seven years to get it something like ready but then over the next hundred years or so additions were built. It wasn’t a pure ‘fort’ with only soldiers inside, it eventually contained numerous temples, buildings and abodes.
The whole thing is about 5km around, the walls being 3m or so thick and a space immediately inside of 2 to 3 metres for the soldiers to walk round near the top of the wall.
So -
Tomorrow and early start I think. I’ve got quite a long drive ahead of me to get all the way down to Udaipur.
Just a few extra shots this evening. The sunset from the rooftop restaurant and the restaurant itself -
Homework time -