Day eleven - Bikaner / Jaisalmer

The hotel in Bikaner was quite full with tourists, most from France. The morning wasn't as rushed as usual because the site we are visiting before we head to our next city,doesn't open until 10.

The Bikaner hotel/palace where we stayed was built in 1902 and as I mentioned is the official home of the current Maharaja. Although we learned later that he now works for a bank in Jaipur.

The fortification we visited was simply stunning. It was built in the 1600's and was the home of the royal family until 1902. It was fascinating seeing the actual furnishings they used. The throne room, is safely behind a glass wall.

They weren't very tall people. We had to be careful not to bump our heads going from room to room. You can see how extravagantly they lived. The bed was short.

This site is one of many Unesco World Heritage sites, although all of the furnishings are on loan from the royal family trust. In 2013, this one palace had 72,000 foreign visitors.

It was interesting that they had a cooling and water system. We didn't see the lew although the swing looked interesting. 

The platform to my right and behind was used for public audiences. The water is yellow from the holi festival which is March 17. It's an interesting festival where they splash each other with different colours. (We will be in Mumbai on the 17th and plan to wear ponchos. Our guide says we shouldn't miss it.)

Our next stop is Jaisalmer some 307 km further west. The terrain is becoming more desert and the temperature has risen to 32 c. Our stop for lunch was an opportunity to view the landscape from a unique vantage spot.

We arrived in Jaisalmer about 6, and after checking in had a visit to a local silversmith. His shop was in his home and we had a first hand look at the living environment. Several of our companions bought items. I can tell you that if it wasn't for the guide we have, we would not have had half of the experiences we have had.

We have been very careful with the water we use. Only once did Donna mistakenly rinse her tooth brush in the tap water. We are both well and eating the local food, although the spices don't always agree with me.

Last nite I ordered French fries and ice cream. I just couldn't face more curry. Our breakfasts and lunches are our main meals.  We usually don't start dinner until 7:30 or so. 

The accommodation has been excellent thus far