14/12/2013

Awoke to the alarm and thought I'd just turn it off and go the next day as I was so tired and aching off the camel. I got up later at around 8 and thought stuff it, no point wasting a day, so I squared up the bill and left for the bus station. Got some awesome caramel peanut bars which England needs to start selling asap, and bumped into the desert Al Pachino en route too. At the bus stop I met an Englishman and a welsh lass, a couple called Tim and Kat, 23 from London. They too were going to Jodphur. They paid 180, and the bus people were trying to make me pay 250 but I stood firm and got it at the right price. They had done SE Asia for 5 months, and were now on to India. Tim had been to India before, also doing a tuk tuk race lol! From Jaisalmer to Cochin…. Very very long way!!! He had even done the Mongol Rally too, a London to Mongolia race in a 1litre Nissan Micra, awesome story. Got a really bad headache on the bus, arrghh!!

We arrived in Jodhpur and got a tuk tuk to the Diamond hotel. I knew somewhere cheaper so in hindsight not sure why I took them there. Both got a room for 300rs a night. I went to sleep straight away as I was knackered. Later got a banana chocolate pancake and there wasn't even chocolate it, just chocolate powder, which you couldn't even taste.

15/12/2013

Had a wonder up to the fort to check it out. It's a GIGANTIC fort perched on some massive rock above Jodhpur, which overlooks the 'blue city', as all the buildings are painted blue in Jodhpur…. Well…. A few of them. It wasn't as impressive as google images pretends. Got an awesome ice lolly off a vendor en route for 5rs and I was happy! Eventually made it to the top and the views were good. Didn't pay to go inside the fort, 400rs looked a rip off, plus there was a fee for the camera too, which all big tourists attractions in India like to do. Returned to the hotel to get a bowl of plain rice as I wasn't feeling too clever. The hotel owner was later asking me how he can come to England to work, and asking if he can arrive on a tourist visa then start working and stay. He didn't mention anything about his wife and he would clearly ditch everything if it meant he could move to England. This really infuriated me as I already didn't like the bloke.

Later on lying in my bed I heard a distinctive voice, one which was very familiar, I opened the door and could bet my bottom dollar who it was going to be….. it was only Wonderful and his missus, the Taiwanese couple from Mumbai!!!!!!!! What a small world!!!!! Diamond hotel has a lot of Japanese and Korean travellers as the owners wife is Japanese. It was such a nice surprise as I didn't get to say bye to them before, so this time I got a pic with them. Haha his wife had the same gigantic hat on and massive waterproof coat. I told him I was ill and he recommended I should buy a 2litre bottle of pepsi, as this will make me feel better. The guy swore by it, but I didn't take him up on his advice in buying one later. Tim and Kat left for the fort without me earlier, so they must have wanted to do their own thing, which was fine, but I bumped into them again on the night when I went to get some food, and again I had the impression Kat rather it just be him and Tim. Suited me as they were probs going to a restaurant or something. Found an awesome street food vendor, an assortment of tortilla like chips, rice puff things, and this strange crunch string stuff, as well a salad dressing of chopped onions jaleponoes and totmatoes all in one bowl with a nice sauce over the top for 20rs. OSSSH. Got some snacks as well - some small chocolate bars and got a butter scotch cornet.