Hi all,

After arriving more than hour late into Jodhpur we found out that we had arrived on the last day of a Eunich festival although it was half past ten and our hotel was not more than five kilometres away it took us almostt an hour to get through all the pedestrian traffic. Apart from the fort and the clock tower there was not much else to see in Jodhpur. We walked around the town on numerous occasions trying out their renowned quisine, namely the samoosas and the sweets. Back at he hotel we met a older German couple who said that they were going to Jaisalmer in a taxi and that we could tag along if we shared the cost. As we thought that this would be a good idea as it would be alot more comfortable and safer than both the train and bus service and worked out to be only slightly more expensive than both of the other options, we accepted.

Well, after our 6 hr journey we have vowed not to travel by taxi in India again. In between our driver closing his eyes to rest them and travelling at breakneck speed he thought it would be fun to play chicken with all oncoming traffic , swerving at the last minute before certain collision!

We spent the next two days exploring the town and it's fort. The fort is very prettty and is the oldest living fort in the world, with over 2000 people still living in it. There is a massive drive to preserve it as with the increase of tourists into the fort the water and sewerage system cannot handle the increase in demand and it is all starting to effect the foundations of the fort!

With countless touts around we eventually decided to book a two day camel safari into the thar desert, although it did not start to plan with the other couple that were to join us pulling out at the last minute, it has probably been the highlight of the trip so far! We had our own camel and an excellent guide in a guy called Sarwan. We also met up with two girls from the Czech Republic in the desert and spent the night on the dunes with them. They had loved their 1st night so much they had done another 6 day safari!

We got back tired and dirty and had a hot shower before going out for our last meal in Jaisalmer, this proved to be the straw that broke the camels back as Layne woke during the night with terrible cramps and brought on the 2nd bout of Dehli Belly.....

Next stop Bikaner( Home of the Rat temple)

Till next time

Layne & Bx