Rajastan

Jodhpur Fort

Jodhpur Bride

Jain Temple in Jaisalmer Fort

View of Jaisalmer from the fort

Jaisalmer Fort

Scarry looking fish

Intricate carvings on facades of buildings in Jaisalmer

I arrived in Pushkar and checked into a hotel which I thought had a fun name: Milkman Guest House (I wouldn't take my wife there!!). Pushkar is a tiny village in central Rajastan, but an important one at the same time since it's one of the stops for Hindu pilgrims. It's also famous for its annual camel fair where country's biggest camel trading takes place. Unfortunately I missed this year's fair, but still had a pleasant stay in this calm and relaxed place. I rented the cheapest room in the hotel, which was a tent on the rooftop. Also on the rooftop were hammocks, cushions and other comfy seating areas, so I spent most of my time sitting, sleeping, eating, reading, chatting and watching the view at this cosy terrace. After getting recharged for a couple of days, I wen't to the "blue city" Jodhpur. Jodhpur was much larger than I had thought of it being. I was expecting another small village, but it actually was a mid-size city. It didn't have much charm, so I only spent a day sightseeing the usual tourist spots and left for Jaisalmer the next day. Jaisalmer was the most western point of India I would get to on my trip, close to the Pakistan border in the Thar desert. It's a beautiful town with spectacularly intracate carvings on the facades of the buildings. They worked on the stone as if they were crochetting on a piece of cloth. As beautiful as the city was, highly unpleasant encounters I had first with a drunken restaurant owner who tried to cheat me on the bill, then with the hotel owners who turned ugly and rude when I didn't go on their camel safari tour, ruinedthe days I stayed there. Udaipur was my last and turned out to be my mest stop in Rajastan. Discovered for its beauty by the wealthy, biggest luxury hotel chains of the world are opening five-star palace hotels year after year in this mesmerizing city by the Pichola Lake. I was glad to have visited it while it still kept its authentic charms and reasonably priced options. Although there're many historic buildings and other sights around the city, one doesn't really need to do much but enjoy the serene atmosphere. Watching the sunset over the lake surrounded by buildings reflecting the pinkish light and centuries of history off their walls is a rejuvenating experience.