Mandi i'm off: Jodhpur to Jaisailmer

The major attraction of Jodhpur is the magnificent 1459 Mehrangarh fort which dominates the city from the sheer sides of a rocky hiltop .It is a palace within a fort within another fort and has proved to be unassailable in all it's battles against the neighbouring kingdoms.

The journey to Jaisalmer began with an unfortunate accident with a collision between a Tuk Tuk and a car which threw the TukTuk driver on to the road,the vehicle and it's passenger then careered out of control into our car denting the driver side panels and wiping out the mirror.My driver Anil stopped got out pulled off the wreckage of the mirror and then continued the drive leaving behind the chaos and at least two injured people, without a backward glance,this is the reality of India.

Most of the road across the Thar desert was in great condition and we motored on at high speed to Jaisalmer.There was a strong military presence everywhere due to the proximity of the border with Pakistan and the reason for the good road is for rapid response and deployment.This probably explains why the jet fighters had been swooping over Jodhpur from first light too.

Immediately after checking in at my hotel we were off again for another hours drive deeper into the desert.We stopped at a caravanserai where I was out of the car and onto a camel before I could even think about the wisdom of such a venture,the cameleer then led us off into the sand dunes at a fast walk.I unfortunately missed many great photo opportunities of the wild peacocks and deer because I had to hang onto the pommel of the saddle with a death grip to remain seated,no stirrups you see.

After another hour of this we arrived atop a sand dune just in time to witness the desert sunset which had been the object of all this frantic activity.

After sunset I re boarded the camel this time with my ancient cameleer riding pillion and we trotted back to the village in darkness,this where I discovered it is much more comfortable to ride a camel at the trot than the walk.Back at the village there was an evening of cultural music,song and dance from the local tribes people that was unforgettable.

Arrived back at the hotel about10.30 pm totally buggered.