Friday, 25 April 2014

The Golden City

Jaisalmer is in the heart of the Thar desert and was a traditional stopping place for the camel trains of old. The fort and palace rises out of the sandy arid plains. Built of yellow sandstone it is called the golden city.
We got to Jaisalmer with no dramas. Travelling deeper in to Rajasthan and deeper in to the desert it keeps on getting hotter. The tourist season closes here in just 6 days because it gets too hot after that to do anything. It's a pretty relaxed place and we spent time exploring the walled golden city which overlooks the desert. Full of palaces and temples it is also a living fort with shops, cafes and home to 3000 people. Easy to wander with frequent stops for watering. A palace,a fresh mango juice, a temple, a lime soda, a miniature painting shop, a beer(although bry had his beer in a teapot because we were too close to the temple).
It seems the more harsh and stark the landscape the more colourful the people and surrounds. Vibrant saris, shining bangles, nose rings and anklets, striking orange and red turbans and rich mosaic wall hangings and plush textiles. We are off on a camel safari tomorrow so I hope we can cope with the furnace like heat, and the camels.

Namaste Sandy

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