Tues 2/6/18. Sonaar Haveli. Jaisilmer
We were awoken this AM to a man outside our tent saying, "good morning sir" and he left us with cups of hot coffee. We walked to the restaurant which was a beautiful stroll through the sand with desert trees and flowers. We were served breakfast on the patio overlooking the desert with musicians playing soothing music. We headed out about 10:30 for our jeep safari. It was really sad leaving our beautiful desert safari, an experience we will never forget. We then drove for a jeep safari through the dunes and countryside. We also stopped at a locals home for a visit. We were met at the main resort by the manager who took us on a tour of the resort rooms and property, and it also was beautiful. We treated like royalty at the Samara and we really did want to stay one more night. We left and drove about two hours to Jaisalmer. The topography really changed to flat desert plains, and reminded us of Africa. We passed another ten mile long army base and were told we are only 100 km from the Packistan border, a bit unnerving as the India/ Packistan relationship is similar to to Israel and Palestine relationship" We arrived to our hotel around 3:00 and were met by our guide, Nalib who gave us our itinerary for the next couple of days. We then toured a near by the royal centographs at Bada bagh which were memorials for the royals. Jaisalmer is a large town, but not over run with tourists. There are huge windmills everywhere you look, they actually kind of ruin the scenery. We returned to our hotel in time for cocktails on a rooftop terrace and were treated to another spectacular sunset. We learned that astrologically it was a good day for marriages, so there were multiple weddings taking place complete with loud speaker music, fireworks and cannons. We ate at the hotel. Service was painfully slow as we ordered about 8 dishes and each one was individually cooked and delivered. The food was worth the wait though and delicious. The hotel does not feel like India and was more akin to a city boutique hotel.
Tues 2/6/18. Sonaar Haveli. Jaisilmer
We were awoken this AM to a man outside our tent saying, "good morning sir" and he left us with cups of hot coffee. We walked to the restaurant which was a beautiful stroll through the sand with desert trees and flowers. We were served breakfast on the patio overlooking the desert with musicians playing soothing music. We headed out about 10:30 for our jeep safari. It was really sad leaving our beautiful desert safari, an experience we will never forget. We then drove for a jeep safari through the dunes and countryside. We also stopped at a locals home for a visit. We were met at the main resort by the manager who took us on a tour of the resort rooms and property, and it also was beautiful. We treated like royalty at the Samara and we really did want to stay one more night. We left and drove about two hours to Jaisalmer. The topography really changed to flat desert plains, and reminded us of Africa. We passed another ten mile long army base and were told we are only 100 km from the Packistan border, a bit unnerving as the India/ Packistan relationship is similar to to Israel and Palestine relationship" We arrived to our hotel around 3:00 and were met by our guide, Nalib who gave us our itinerary for the next couple of days. We then toured a near by the royal centographs at Bada bagh which were memorials for the royals. Jaisalmer is a large town, but not over run with tourists. There are huge windmills everywhere you look, they actually kind of ruin the scenery. We returned to our hotel in time for cocktails on a rooftop terrace and were treated to another spectacular sunset. We learned that astrologically it was a good day for marriages, so there were multiple weddings taking place complete with loud speaker music, fireworks and cannons. We ate at the hotel. Service was painfully slow as we ordered about 8 dishes and each one was individually cooked and delivered. The food was worth the wait though and delicious. The hotel does not feel like India and was more akin to a city boutique hotel.
Wed. 2/7/18. Sonar Haveli - Jaisalmer
We were met by our guide at 9:00 and started our tour. We first went to lake in town. Next was a the Jaisalmer Fort, a huge old fort that was made up of winding streets filled with merchants, eateries and residences. It was really fun to be experiencing a living fort. We spent about three hours wandering, and shopping. We ended up buying a hand stitched tapestry of women's saris that was completed with intricate embroidery. The tapestry took over 6 months to make, and all proceeds went to local women. It is interesting in India that women do not work in businesses and you do not see a lot of women outside of the homes and fields. You only see men working at restaurants, hotels, shops, and in tour trades. We have not had much opportunity to to talk to any women. We have had a lot of opportunity to talk to men, and have gotten a very interesting perspective of the government, religion, the way of life etc... After our fort tour, we saw some beautiful Havelis. About 3:30, we headed to the Lakhmana sand dunes for an hour and a half camel trek. We rode single on these camels, and we had a blast. I am still so amazed and grateful on how well Jon's back is doing, he has had no pain or discomfort ! After our trek we watched the sunset over the desert, then went back to the hotel for another home cooked delicious meal.
We were met by our guide at 9:00 and started our tour. We first went to lake in town. Next was a the Jaisalmer Fort, a huge old fort that was made up of winding streets filled with merchants, eateries and residences. It was really fun to be experiencing a living fort. We spent about three hours wandering, and shopping. We ended up buying a hand stitched tapestry of women's saris that was completed with intricate embroidery. The tapestry took over 6 months to make, and all proceeds went to local women. It is interesting in India that women do not work in businesses and you do not see a lot of women outside of the homes and fields. You only see men working at restaurants, hotels, shops, and in tour trades. We have not had much opportunity to to talk to any women. We have had a lot of opportunity to talk to men, and have gotten a very interesting perspective of the government, religion, the way of life etc... After our fort tour, we saw some beautiful Havelis. About 3:30, we headed to the Lakhmana sand dunes for an hour and a half camel trek. We rode single on these camels, and we had a blast. I am still so amazed and grateful on how well Jon's back is doing, he has had no pain or discomfort ! After our trek we watched the sunset over the desert, then went back to the hotel for another home cooked delicious meal.
Thurs. 2/8/18 Rohet Garh - Rohet
We had about a five hour drive to Rohet. Garh. This place is pretty magnificent ! The grounds are beautifully landscaped. Our room overlooks the lake in the back, and the front is a huge open air living room. We did some local shopping and I bought a pair of funky hand made leather embroidered slides. We walked through the village and became the pied piper for kids. One boy invited us into his stable and showed us all his cows. I told him he should name a cow after me. He asked me my name, then wrote on his hand Suzi. I said close enough. He then showed me a baby cow three days old, and said her name will be Suzi. Now it's not everyone who gets a cow named after them in India ! Next we met up with the chef from our restaurant who lived in town and invited us into his home. We met his entire family, and of course more pictures. We returned and had live music for cocktails, then following a delish dinner, a magician show. I had the best yogurt dip ever, and the chef gave me the recipe, I can not wait to make it ! This place really is beaitiful. We keep saying that we do not think things can get any better, but lo and behold, each day is new, exciting and wonderful !!
We had about a five hour drive to Rohet. Garh. This place is pretty magnificent ! The grounds are beautifully landscaped. Our room overlooks the lake in the back, and the front is a huge open air living room. We did some local shopping and I bought a pair of funky hand made leather embroidered slides. We walked through the village and became the pied piper for kids. One boy invited us into his stable and showed us all his cows. I told him he should name a cow after me. He asked me my name, then wrote on his hand Suzi. I said close enough. He then showed me a baby cow three days old, and said her name will be Suzi. Now it's not everyone who gets a cow named after them in India ! Next we met up with the chef from our restaurant who lived in town and invited us into his home. We met his entire family, and of course more pictures. We returned and had live music for cocktails, then following a delish dinner, a magician show. I had the best yogurt dip ever, and the chef gave me the recipe, I can not wait to make it ! This place really is beaitiful. We keep saying that we do not think things can get any better, but lo and behold, each day is new, exciting and wonderful !!
