The boys didn't get a week off over Easter but they did get Good Friday off, and with the current Indian elections, they had Thursday off too, so we took an extra day to travel north to Rajasthan. We had done Jaipur before and loved it, so we were keen to go further into Rajasthan and head west into the more arid area. So Jodhpur and Jaisalmer it was.
We had some flight delays on our way there, so only arrived mid afternoon into Jodhpur - and it was HOT ! We had been warned that we may be going at the wrong time of year but we were hopeful we wouldn't get the extreme heat that can occur at this time of year. In the end we were very lucky to have great weather and all hotels had pools so there was always respite from the heat. Our initial thoughts of Jodhpur, were that it was just like any other Indian city - rubble everywhere, not sure if the building were being erected or falling down, garbage all over the place, stray dogs (possibly more than Bangalore, if possible). However, on the positive it is a smaller city and the people were extremely friendly and the culture of the area was much more prominent.
We had some flight delays on our way there, so only arrived mid afternoon into Jodhpur - and it was HOT ! We had been warned that we may be going at the wrong time of year but we were hopeful we wouldn't get the extreme heat that can occur at this time of year. In the end we were very lucky to have great weather and all hotels had pools so there was always respite from the heat. Our initial thoughts of Jodhpur, were that it was just like any other Indian city - rubble everywhere, not sure if the building were being erected or falling down, garbage all over the place, stray dogs (possibly more than Bangalore, if possible). However, on the positive it is a smaller city and the people were extremely friendly and the culture of the area was much more prominent.
We were very lucky to spend a night at Umaid Bharwan which is an incredibly opulent hotel - well actually it is a palace. It is the Maharajas home built as a job making exercise during the tough times in the mid 1930's. For financial reasons it now has a Taj Hotel running in part of the buildings, which has amazing service and facilities. In fact, the service could actually be 'too good', where we really never had a moment to ourselves without being waited on. No complaints though. The room was a gorgeous suite with loads of space and wonderful decor, and the grounds were even more spectacular - the pool being a big hit after our long trip. The building is made of the local sandstone, all done by hand - the grandeur of this building was very impressive and we all felt like royalty spending a night here.
There were peacocks and squirrels roaming the grounds, seemingly very tame - even joining us for breakfast the next morning. In the evening we did a tour of the city to see the central clock tower and then walk through the local market/bazaar. One of the main differences we found were the incredibly narrow streets, which made me quite uncomfortable with the kids. There are tuk-tuks, motorbikes, carts, cows, pushbikes, stray dogs and thousands of people all fighting for a way through. Oh, and the sounds and smells are indescribable. The locals were very friendly and 'hands-on'. Max has actually got to the point of being sick of having his cheeks pinched - he is thinking of charging 10 rupees every time now and maybe 20 rupees if they want his photo !!
We visited a great textile wholesaler who 'apparently' creates goods for the big 'fashion houses' - names were dropped - Armani, Donna Karan, Kenzo, Hermes and many other Italian fashion houses. Richard Gere is a very 'loved' guest and there are many photos to prove it !! I bought a beautiful cashmere/bamboo throw rug which is so beautiful I couldn't resist.
During the afternoon there was a sand storm that came through and made the whole city hazy. We were lucky enough not to have this happen when we returned later in the week to Jodhpur and our views of the city were spectacular. We stayed in a different hotel at the base of the Fort - which was a converted haveli. We went for a yuk-tuk tour of the Blue City and also walked up the very steep streets (track) to the Mehrangarh Fort. It was incredibly steep but the view from the top was well worth the walk. The fort now houses a museum which was great to wander through and to also see the incredible detail in the sandstone architecture. When you see the photos below you will not believe the carvings are done in sandstone - not wood. However, the highlight was looking down over the sea of blue. The blue houses were originally painted in this way to distinguish the caste of people living there - Brahmin. After time it became popular amongst non-Brahmin members and also seems to help with keeping mosquitos away - so they say but I'm not convinced!!
We loved Jodhpur and enjoyed all aspects of this great city. Part two of our trip will be on the local village tour we did outside Jodhpur on our way to Jaisalmer........
We visited a great textile wholesaler who 'apparently' creates goods for the big 'fashion houses' - names were dropped - Armani, Donna Karan, Kenzo, Hermes and many other Italian fashion houses. Richard Gere is a very 'loved' guest and there are many photos to prove it !! I bought a beautiful cashmere/bamboo throw rug which is so beautiful I couldn't resist.
During the afternoon there was a sand storm that came through and made the whole city hazy. We were lucky enough not to have this happen when we returned later in the week to Jodhpur and our views of the city were spectacular. We stayed in a different hotel at the base of the Fort - which was a converted haveli. We went for a yuk-tuk tour of the Blue City and also walked up the very steep streets (track) to the Mehrangarh Fort. It was incredibly steep but the view from the top was well worth the walk. The fort now houses a museum which was great to wander through and to also see the incredible detail in the sandstone architecture. When you see the photos below you will not believe the carvings are done in sandstone - not wood. However, the highlight was looking down over the sea of blue. The blue houses were originally painted in this way to distinguish the caste of people living there - Brahmin. After time it became popular amongst non-Brahmin members and also seems to help with keeping mosquitos away - so they say but I'm not convinced!!
We loved Jodhpur and enjoyed all aspects of this great city. Part two of our trip will be on the local village tour we did outside Jodhpur on our way to Jaisalmer........
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| the internal waiting room at Umaid Bharwan |
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| These carvings were throughout the building |
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| the view from above |
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| The grounds at Umaid |
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| The palace - looking back from the garden |
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| On our way to the pool |
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| Peacocks roamed freely - until Max saw them........ |
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| the craziness of an Indian street - 6.30pm |
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| Himalayan Black Salt being sold at the markets |
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| Water is such a precious resource that Jodhpur has local drinking stations - no thanks..... |
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| When you've got to go...... |
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| The carving is all in sandstone - not wood |
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| Surely a few more can get a ride ?? |
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| A typical Indian roadside |
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| I think the cow thinks it's too hot - in the market for a air conditioner |
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| Piles of Sandstone everywhere in Rajasthan |
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| and the blue starts...... |
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| They hardly have any room but they are everywhere....... |
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| At the roof top restaurant at the Raas Haveli Hotel (the fort in the background) |
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| Looking back a the hotel |
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| The view from the top - Umaid Bharwan is in the background |
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| at the fort |
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| Jack making friends everywhere he went |
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| Inside the fort |
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| The Blue City |
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| Mike loved this sign - the hygienic food is saved for the tourists and it cost under $1.00 AUD |
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| The view from our room up to the fort |
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