Jaisalmer

Night train from Jaipur. Was only late by 30 mins, not to bad. Had a decent sleep, then an ok day time ride. Walked from the train station and into town, disappointing many touts and rickshaw wallahs in the process. Found a hotel before a late lunch and booking a 4 day 3 night camel Safari. then a beer on the rooftop and an early night.

Up and out of the hotel and onto the Safari which started off with a Jeep ride into the desert to meet up with our camels. On the tour were mostly one day one nighters, and an American couple, Ray and Megan who were on a 3 day 2 night tour.

My camel was massive and James was tiny...haha. No stirrups though so the ride was not that comfortable. Day one was only about 3 hours of riding with a long lunch break in the middle, but still got off sore. Riding side saddle helped protect the family jewels though. Stayed the night at a big set of dunes. Watched an ok sunset, lots of haze blocked most of it though. Did some good dune jumping and ate a lot of food, which was pretty bland and was mostly wheat flour in the form of Chapattis. Still I was full which suits me as I eat to live rather than live to eat.

During the night a big storm front hit, thunder and lightning which I slept through then rain from 4:30am onwards, spent a few hours wrapped in blankets under a leaky tarp with James and the American couple. The rain stopped for long enough to have breakfast and started again when the rest of the group had just left to go and catch their jeep back to Jaisalmer. We stayed under the tarp until the rain stopped then we headed to the closest village where we had lunch and waited out the weather. That night we headed out on the camels to another set of dunes with a couple of camel handlers and a guide. Jumped some more dunes and drunk some whiskey around a camp fire. Slept under the tarp but no rain. So far the desert was a little disappointing, much like Aussie outback, but habituated, scrub and thorns with the odd tree even. But its quite and relaxing away from the hassle and hustle of India.

the Americans left us at lunch so it was just us with Mullah and 3 camels in the arvo, rode at a fast pace to the next set of dunes with were the best ones yet, a lot bigger area and the dunes were higher. Plus seemed more isolated as well. Drunk whiskey and chatted before the rain came, made a tent this time with the tarp, was good. The next day was pretty cruisy headed to met up with the jeep in the afternoon which took us back into town.

Saw quite a bit of wildlife in the desert which was a little unexpected, lots of birds, including Peacocks, Eagles and Vultures. Foxes and deer. Along with all the domestic animals about, camels, goats, sheep and cows.

After the trip stayed a couple nights in the fort in Jaisalmer which is pretty impressive but falling apart. The rain had made a big mess, flushing dirt and shit everywhere, made me wish I had covered shoes. Weather was overcast the whole time which was a little disappointing. Had a good dinner with Ray and Megan though.