Rajasthan, onwards to Jaisalmer

The next day was a travel day again. Our itinerary had us going to Jaisalmer, and then doing some sightseeing. Since Maya was still recovering we decided to take it easier on this day and just do the traveling, we could see a lot in one day and didn't have far to go the next evening. Also we were staying at Gajner Palace, and really wanting to just relax a bit and enjoy the environs. It was truely a beautiful place, so peaceful on the lake.

Since we had less to do, Mr. Sing informed us we could leave later in the morning. Since I usually wake up early, and Cindy abnormally woke up early, we both had the opportunity to do some early morning photography. We also walked through the Gajner Palace grounds. Behind the maintained portion, was a large garden which was overgrown, all bounded by the lake. Further into the there was a small hill with a bungalow on top of it. We climbed up and it was unfortunately rather trashed, it would be the perfect place to have weddings or celebrations. It could even be used as a sort of private hideaway for newlyweds. On the way back there were parrots everywhere. And boy could they be noisy. There was a whole bunch of them in the trees just outside our hotel room when we arrived back from our walk. They were also bathing in the fountain. Then all of a sudden they disappeared into the higher branches of the trees. I noticed a maintenance man on the roof of the hotel which seems to have scared them off. They weren't bothered by us guests, nor the hotel staff walking back and forth to the various rooms with laundry, and housekeeping supplies. I guess they didn't like someone up above them.

As the ride to Jaisalmer progressed, the landscape changed. More rocks and sand, less dirt. There were mines of various sorts along the way as well. But the air cleared up. So it wasn't quite so hazy. There was hope for stars in the desert after all.

We arrived in the late afternoon just outside of Jaisalmer at the Fort Rajwada, a newly built "Fort" hotel. Fairly nice from the outside, but typical on the inside. Cindy and I went to the roof terrace for drinks at sunset.

Then we had a barbeque dinner by the pool. We saw the first of several "cultural programs" that occurred at various hotels we stayed at over the week there. This one was actually the best one, but both Cindy and I had left our cameras in the room and thinking we would see more, we were too lazy to go get them. Pity. Anyways, the two guys who were dressed as ladies and dancing were pretty good (this is typical in Rajasthan as in some parts it isn't acceptable for women to dance in public). The band, as it were, was pretty good to. I think we saw better in Jaipur two years ago, but still enjoyable.

Next is Jaisalmer.