Magic sheets
Today started as many others have...on a train! We boarded at 01:00, finding our lower bunk occupied so taking the two top ones, which are rather chilly. As usual, very little sleep was had by myself - train beds remind me of most sofa beds: terribly uncomfortable as either a seat or a bed - but I was starting to feel a bit less Delhi-belly sick, phew!
We pulled into Jaisalmer just 2.5 hours late, a new punctuality record for us and Indian trains. The station itself was small but fairly cared-for I noticed, although I made it my business to escape as quickly as possible, I'm sure I'll be seeing much more of the station in a couple of days.
We were collected and taken to our hotel, which is situated just outside the entrance to Jaisalmer Fort. We had initially booked somewhere within the fort actually, but having done further research it appears that accommodation within the Fort is having a very negative impact upon its conservation, so we changed our reservation to what seems an overpriced but nicely decorated place outside.
Train days have a habit of putting meal times out of kilter, so I ended up with a very small lunch at 4pm, before wandering up the Fort. This Fort is different to the others I have seen, being inhabited. It is both honey-coloured and honey-combed with alleyways, full of stalls boasting their colourful fabric and metal wares. The views from the top were great too, even if I was disporportiantely out of breath.
We descended out of the Fort, and by sunset made it to Gadisar Lake, to the south of the town. The lakeside was a hive of activity, yet kind of peaceful at the same time. Lots of locals were out in boats and pedalos, enjoying the lakeside character of ruined temples, stairs and trees. From the lakeside itself, the temple structures within the lake looked striking, calmly rising from the surface.
I'm the failing light, we wondered back into the town, enjoying the increasing prevalence of light decorations on the intricate buildings. Dinner was had with an excellent view of the floodlit Fort on the hillside, and was the first meal we had managed to have together in a good few days. The woodfired pizzas we had were a welcome (and hygienic!) change from curry, and the restaurant terrace a calm introduction to the new year.
Happy New Year!
Today started as many others have...on a train! We boarded at 01:00, finding our lower bunk occupied so taking the two top ones, which are rather chilly. As usual, very little sleep was had by myself - train beds remind me of most sofa beds: terribly uncomfortable as either a seat or a bed - but I was starting to feel a bit less Delhi-belly sick, phew!
We pulled into Jaisalmer just 2.5 hours late, a new punctuality record for us and Indian trains. The station itself was small but fairly cared-for I noticed, although I made it my business to escape as quickly as possible, I'm sure I'll be seeing much more of the station in a couple of days.
We were collected and taken to our hotel, which is situated just outside the entrance to Jaisalmer Fort. We had initially booked somewhere within the fort actually, but having done further research it appears that accommodation within the Fort is having a very negative impact upon its conservation, so we changed our reservation to what seems an overpriced but nicely decorated place outside.
Train days have a habit of putting meal times out of kilter, so I ended up with a very small lunch at 4pm, before wandering up the Fort. This Fort is different to the others I have seen, being inhabited. It is both honey-coloured and honey-combed with alleyways, full of stalls boasting their colourful fabric and metal wares. The views from the top were great too, even if I was disporportiantely out of breath.
We descended out of the Fort, and by sunset made it to Gadisar Lake, to the south of the town. The lakeside was a hive of activity, yet kind of peaceful at the same time. Lots of locals were out in boats and pedalos, enjoying the lakeside character of ruined temples, stairs and trees. From the lakeside itself, the temple structures within the lake looked striking, calmly rising from the surface.
I'm the failing light, we wondered back into the town, enjoying the increasing prevalence of light decorations on the intricate buildings. Dinner was had with an excellent view of the floodlit Fort on the hillside, and was the first meal we had managed to have together in a good few days. The woodfired pizzas we had were a welcome (and hygienic!) change from curry, and the restaurant terrace a calm introduction to the new year.
Happy New Year!
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