After our fleeting early visit to mandawa we leave for the long drive back to Delhi. It turns out that we were in the same van with the 'hole' still in it but a new window. The same driver though which started bringing back some of the realisation that we were destination Delhi. When we arrived late afternoon I we amazed at how they had managed to turn the city round in a few weeks from how dirty it was before. Karol Bagh, the district we were staying in had been...

After my 3hour sleep in the desert tent I woke to watch the sunrise over the thar desert, a beautiful way to start my quarter of a century celebrations. After a good hearty breakfast we headed back to the hotel for a kip before heading out for lunch and pool relaxation at a local top end hotel. No complaints there! An absolutely stunning view over to the fort with glorious 42 deg sun, thank goodness for the pool! In the evening liz had told me she had arranged a ...

We meet our guide for the day, captain camel, who starts to give us a tour around the havelis of jaisalmer. Beautfil old architecture, the mansions were ornately detailed on the exterior lbefore entering into a central atrium upon which all rooms looked. The first was a prvately owned one so only access to the atrium was allowed, the second was part government owned and had various restoration done over time. It was whilst outside here that lots of local village ...

We wake up early in the baking heat of jodhpur to head out on an early morning village safari. A bumpy ride in a 4x4 we see various animals along the way to our drivers artist cooperative in his village. The roads were insanely sandy we were being sept through dust clouds along the way. We had a small tour around various artisans including an opium ceremony, pottery manufacturing and rug weavers. It was amazing to see the basic elements used and how families had...

Early rise (6am) for an 8 hour coach ride to udaipur. When we arrow we head ipstais to the rooftop restaurant before a jam packed afternoon. Wow the view from the hotel rooftop was absolutely stunning. There was a perfect view over the lake towards the lake palace hotel (octop**** filmed here). After our mini pizzas ( so Indian :) we walked down to the lakeside via the city palace to catch a boat ride around the lake. Getting here late afternoon we were on the wa...