Into the Desert

Kieran:

We left Delhi this morning at 8.00am and arrived in Bikaner at 8.00pm. Yes, we spent the whole day making our way across the hot desert in a small car. We made some stops along the way. We saw a giant monkey temple on a hill, walked round some old Haveli's (rich, hand painted houses) and nick got bullied into buying a miniature painting of two elephants fighting (he did get a good price for it though).

The journey was definitely eye opening, we saw so many things and got our first glimpse of rural life in India. Leading away from Delhi the roads slowly deteriorate and the landscape becomes more arid. We went through loads of villages and passed herd after herd of cows, goats and sheep being guided along the roads, by herders with sticks. We saw peacocks, wild pigs, camels and donkeys (many pulling trailers behind them, on which was usually sitting a person and their possessions). We passed village women, dressed in colourful sari's, carrying all sorts of bundles and pots on their heads. It seemed as though we would be in the middle of nowhere but then you'd spot a person sitting on the crest of a sand dune in the distance.

Today was a nice contrast from the hectic hustle and bustle of Delhi. I feel I'm a little more settled in the Indian swing of things and looking forward to the rest of Rajasthan. Tomorrow we will see whats in Bikaner and hopeful go to the temple of Rats (which is as the name suggests, full of worshipped rats). By the evening tomorrow, we should find ourselves in Jaisalmer, and from there we embark on our camel safari. A lot more driving to be done to get us there though!

(So far drunk a lot of Chai Tea and eaten a lot of rice and naan)

Nick:

Drive is amazing, so much to see all at once! Driving into the desert area now. Hope to e-mail this evening.

We're all eaten and in our hotel, after about 12 hours on the road! The hotel here is reaaally nice, far nicer than our hotel in Delhi, we barely feel like backpackers! Again overwhelmed completely today. The road trip was quite amazing, as the greenery slowly turned to desert sand as we got nearer to our destination. On our way we stopped in Mundawar (think that's the correct spelling!) and got shown round some Haveli's completely covered in miniature paintings. It was also oddly quiet for India! We've seen plenty of wild peacocks, huge herds of cows, goats, camels, boar, sheep, you name it! On the bird front, green parakeets, a lone black bird which looked somewhat like an ibis. More groups of black, kite tailed birds! I asked our driver what they were, but he didn't know, I don't think he's much good for wildlife... I've just looked it up now, and I'm pretty sure that they are Black Tailed Kites. The only bird I could identify in my book was the red wattled lapwing, plenty of those around.

So all is well, my only concern right now is funding! There are little hidden costs in everything we do, guides, hundred/two hundred rupees entrance fees here and there, and then tips galore on everything! Our driver has also offered to be our city guide for the next ten days at an extra 25 pounds for each of us... It's not bad, but a little annoyed at more costs and people rarely take no for an answer here easily! We're going to discuss it tomorrow, because presumably he will still drive us and drop us places, without guiding us round them, we hope. Everyone sure wants to do everything for you here, takes a while to get used to, my drink got topped up with every other sip this evening. Crave some Independence and peace, but I'm sure we'll get used to it.

We're assured Goa will be very cheap as it's off season, probably will spend a good while there. It would be a load off my mind if you could check my bank account though, make sure this road trip came through right (should be about 360pounds), and let me know how much I have/will have left? Thanks!

Jaisalmer: We are in Jaisalmer, it's awesome. Great view of fort from our hotel. No internet here today, or tomorrow. Texting seems to work everywhere though.

Today not so bad for money, we managed to half our guide costs; seems like a good deal. Sun just setting on fort.

Great sunset. Can't wait to share photos. And yes, hot, with camel safari tomorrow evening! Most excited for it. I'll keep you posted.

More birds to add to the list: can't work out what they are though, yet. Also a couple of deer. Just ate on cushion on roof.