So as we sat in the train from Jaisalmer (read previous blog), it departed sharp at 5 pm. It was my first experience in train for a medium/long distance travel and I was pretty much excited about it. My buddies have hyped me that Train travel with friends is the best thing to happen and guess what it was great 🙂
We had booked 3 AC tier and had 2 window seats with us to enjoy the deserted area of Jaisalmer as we bid Good Bye to it. Sun was setting so were our eyes as we were tired by now, but didnt want to sleep and miss the fun, so to keep ourselves activated I just contradicted on one topic and out of nowhere we started the debate game the whole time and it was fun in its own way. (Definately the European couple seated next to us must be confused as what exactly we were fighting on all of sudden and laughing the next moment :D).
Train took its stop at one of the station that I can’t ignore to mention. Image is enough to explain it all 🙂 . (Google the name for details why this place is so special).
We reached Jodhpur Railway station at perfect mentioned time 10:55 pm sharp. and by now we were completely tired, so we hired an auto and headed towards the old city (Blue City) where we had pre booked our rooms in Guest House.
Train Ticket from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur was Rs 500 per pax
But as we got down of auto we could see a huge quarrel going on exactly opposite to Guest house and as many as 15- 20 people around. Now this was a bit uncomfortable for us, but strangely the same people (not the main persons involved in quarrel :P) were kind enough to help us directing the stairs to our guest house. It was weird at start but turned out to a completely different perception towards people (Like in Jaisalmer the people in Jodhpur are also kind enough).
We straight away put our luggage in room and went straight to the roof top cafe where our Thalis were ready. We were starving at that time and just rushed up (Also to have view of fort from Roof top 🙂 ). But the fort lights were off. So we quickly had our Dinner and rested in our room.
We woke up fresh the next morning, even though it was a bit late but the weather was good with us. It was not chilling but pleasant enough to explore. We freshened up and walked straight to the top of the guest house where we got a good view of the fort and clicked some snaps.
We quickly had our breakfast along with view of the fort. Our Guest House Manager helped us to book a local auto from him contacts and the deal was the auto driver will be taking us to the famous four site seeing places in Jodhpur and dropping us at the Market place.
So we started our day at 11 am and first was offcource to explore whats inside the fort that we saw from the roof top of Guest house. Yes, It was The Mehrangarh Fort (It took some time at first to spell it correctly 🙂 )
Unlike the fort and every construction in Jaisalmer City is made of Yellow sandstone, Here in Jodhpur its made of Red SandStone. The fort was well maintained as it is not under Government acquisition but maintained privately by the ascendant of King family member by forming a Museum Trust.
Entry Fee for Fort is Rs 120 per pax and for Guide (for a group) is Rs 500.
Please don’t Litter and keep the place clean !!!
Guide guided us through the entire fort with Interesting stories behind them. It is recommended to take a guide who will explain you the entire family tree and what is the significance of each and every artifact along with timelines of events happened. Story behind specific paintings, to characteristic nature of each King ruling over. Its historic and some funny events in the timeline makes it really interesting.
And it was time to have a view of the City and best place was from this fort’s Viewing points
Most buildings and Its Roofs in the Old City are painted in Blue and thats where the City got its name – The Blue City
We spent some time walking around and relaxing a bit.
The temperature wasn’t good anymore and Sun started playing its role of what it does the best, but we had to make ourselves ready to the next place Jaswant Thada.
As per what the guide told us it serves as the cremation ground for the royal family of Marwar.
We walked around the garden but were completely tired and starving by this time.(Hungry makes man angry and I was the one who was getting irritated a lot). So we told auto driver to make a stop at the restaurant.(Before that to ATM to remove cash)
Make sure you carry cash as most places doesn’t have card payment or wallets to have cashless transaction !!!
Made our tummies happy with some delicious food in one the Garden restaurant and made ourselves move to Umaid Bhawan. It is made of Pink Sandstone which is found beneath the Red Sandstone. The palace Musuem is only 10 % that is accessible for public, rest is taken up by Royal family and half by the Taj Group. We went through the Museum. Just opposite to Museum there are various Vintage cars used by the Royal family members (This will definately make anyone jealous :D)
We came out, had coffee, juice as we just had glimse of the houses just beyond the Palace.
By this time I had stomach upset and was not feeling good, Tired but just to complete the things we planned to see, we went to Mandaore Garden, place looked good with an old architecture temple, and we walked till the highest point (but sun set had happened by that time 😦 ) , we sat a little bit and made our way at bottom at around 6:30 pm.
Our next stop was Clock tower where there is market place as well, but I was so tired that I couldnt continue and told my friends to lets go to room and relax and they were good enough to understand and we directly headed to room .
Auto took Rs 800 for entire day.
Got fresh in room but the plan to explore market and Clock tower got cancelled.
We went to the rooftop to see the beautiful fort lit up in amber lights.
We sat down and chilled , fought with each other for some reason, patched up back .Had our dinner and to pour surprise the European couple who were neighbours for our train journey had visited the same Cafe, we exchanged Greetings as it was a mere coincidence.
After Dinner we went in our rooms to see Formula 1 Brazil GP race (Sad news for Ferrari Fans though, both crashed 😛 ).
Post that we had a nice sleep just to wake up in the morning a bit early this time as we had to make a move to our new destination.
Quickly Had our breakfast and exchanged Greetings with our Guest House Manager
At 8:30 am our cab was waiting for us to take us to our next Destination — The City of Lakes.
Saying a Good Bye to this beautiful City and storing the memories of yet another day in my Life. Signing Off untill next Destination 🙂
With Stay, Breakfast and Dinner (2 times) costed us Rs 1500 per head.
Travel Diary 