We traveled all night on the train from Udaipur to Jaisalmer which is in the Thar Desert 50 miles from the Pakistan border! Yikes!
At the train station we had our warmest welcome so far! A band playing music, a dot on the head and another marigold necklace! They had done a cool design on the ground
out of colored powder welcoming us.
These little boys were so cute! They were playing instruments and singing Frere Jacques!
The one in the front was adorable!
This place really felt like Epcot or Animal Kingdom!
They were selling lots of stamps used for block printing fabric.
This little man was selling prayer/chanting beads.
This cow came right up to Jean!
School boys
Just another cow in the road!
Next we went to the yellow sandstone Jaisalmer fort.
More cows in the road and more motorcycles! We saw thousands of both here in India!
This little gypsy girl was doing tight rope tricks for money.
This mother was carrying her baby in this pink sling.
Cows are sacred to the Hindus and they just roam free everywhere!
There are food stalls everywhere along the side of the road.
Loved this blue door.
This incredible carving was inside a Hindu temple. We did not have to cover our head,
but we had to remove our shoes.
This little girl's daddy was shining shoes.
We wandered through the winding streets of this fort and saw many sights. It is hard to take it all in. The colors are so beautiful everywhere!
This cow wanted to shop!
More cows…just resting in the middle of the street!
Bags of chili peppers.
Women selling fresh produce on the street, literally on the street!
Craig walking beside a friendly cow!
A little family sitting on the side of the road.
Next they took us in a haveli or mansion. They are all very intricately carved. Just beautiful. They took us to a showroom for pashminas, scarves, bedspreads and blankets. It was obvious that Palace on Wheels got a kickback. But that's ok. They served us cold drinks while they showed us the goods.
After shopping they put us in "tuk tuks" which are three wheeled green and yellow motorized vehicles. They took us back to the train for lunch and to change clothes for our camel ride!
Lots of camels and guides waiting for the Blue Group to hop on!
Here we are on a camel!
Our shadow…
Our camel's head…
Sand dunes…we are really in the desert!
The Blue group all atop camels!
Of course our camels dropped us at a small hotel that sat up above the desert. Palace on Wheels provided tea, coffee, water, beer and some light snacks while we all watched the sun set! We continue to be amazed over and over again by both India and the Palace on Wheels!
Greeted with another red dot on the forehead.
They served us snacks
Spinach and potatoes and onions, plus crackers and cookies
We had a lovely view of the desert.
There were a lot of tent hotels…for those who like to "glamp"
Gorgeous sunset over the Thar Desert
After an exhilarating camel ride and sunset, the coach took the Blue Group back to the train to change for dinner. We were going to a nice hotel in Jaisalmer for dinner and a cultural show!
Non-stop excitement!
We were greeted everywhere with cold wet towels to wipe our hands
A lady was dropping rose petals as we walked in…
We had a wonderful Indian meal served in this beautiful courtyard
They performed an awesome cultural show
Then everybody danced!
Wow! What a day! We are amazed more and more each day on this trip. We highly recommend the Palace on Wheels as a perfect way to see India!
No comments:
Post a Comment