A Blue Diamond in the crown

Destined to reach Jodhpur the next morning, I started off with a light breakfast. Drove off and soon I reached Jodhpur. The sync here was so unlike other Rajasthan cities. I saw several hotels. None could beat the charm offered by the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one which had recently hit the news when Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar decided to put up their wedding celebrations here.

Known amongst one of the largest residences world-wide, the structure is a dream carved out in yellow sandstone. I received a warm welcome from the royal family of Jodhpur. Fashionable exteriors and intricate interiors were equally stunning. Stepping in the room was like entering the royal world. Peerless paintings enabled me peep into the traditional bygone lifestyle.

After every single corner of the palace mesmerized me, I moved on to step out to experience more colour and life scattered in Jodhpur. Amazing! How many shades of blue, I remarked. Almost all the houses in the city were painted in blue. This not only added beauty but provided protection against insects as well. I chose to sit and notice the impressions of the people passing by. Half grown boys running after one another, young girls performing household chores and women drying brilliantly-hued saris. All this made me realize how innocent and simple Rajasthanis are even in today's fast paced life. I smiled and moved on...

Shopping in Jodhpur was truly a rewarding experience. The markets of Jodhpur display an array of beautiful and antique buys. I picked up a beautiful scarf in tie and dye. Thereafter, I headed towards Sarafa Bazaar and laid hands on some exquisite jewellery in silver. And how could I forget to grab a pair of those famous handcrafted 'Jodhpuri jooties' (footwear) without whose mention the catalogue of Indian footwear remains incomplete. The range available at Mochi Bazaar was fascinating.

The best part about this vacation in Jodhpur was my indulgence in flavourful snacks and cuisine. The famous 'Shahi samosas' followed by a glass of 'makhana lassi' were perfect starters. Moving on, I halted on the airport road to dine at 'Chimney' known for its beautiful village-like ambiance. I am actually short of words that can describe the flawless decor of the restaurant. Thatched huts, floor paved in mud, open-air sitting area and indulgence in great tandoori delicacies made my evening.

And this was not all! The appetizing colours of 'laddoos' mounted over one another aroused hunger pangs in my stomach. I gobbled about half a dozen of these melt-in-the-mouth magic balls within no time at all. Sleep was all that I could now think off. Completely worn-out, I crashed for the night with thoughts of my next destination – Mount Abu lingering on and on...

Rajasthan in all its glory

I moved forward from Bikaner to Khimsar. On reaching Khimsar, I stopped for a tea break at the Khimsar Fort Hotel. Overnight was spent at Khimsar Sand dune Resort, my retreat for the next two days. There were several clusters of cottages in the resort. The staff at the resort was amiable. They had planned breakfasts in the open and dinners outdoors. Dinner accompanied by Rajasthani music and dance added to the entertainment the desert offered.

Now I opted for some adventure amidst the sands. You will have to believe me when I say that messing with sands in Rajasthan is great fun. I started off my adventure in Khimsar with a jeep safari. I saw deer, sambhar and a couple of snakes too. The charm associated with a jeep safari amidst the desert landscape was one of its own kind.

In order to taste the true essence of desert and explore the dune decked terrain further, I had to hire a camel who was my companion for the rest of the journey. I thoroughly enjoyed the camel ride into the sunset. Watching the sunset from an elevated sand dune hypnotized me. I felt as if transported to another world altogether. Hot tea and sandwiches, what more could I have asked for? Nothing but sand could only be seen for miles. Nowhere can the sands be as spellbinding as they are in Rajasthan, I exclaimed.

The experience was enthralling. Changing colours of the sun over the desert horizon, moonlit flooded over desert landscape are sights not to be missed. Days drenched in sun and crisp nights... It will not be easy for me to stem out from the fond memories of Khimsar Tour.

On my way to the amber hued city - Jaisalmer, I had a sound sleep in the taxi. I asked the driver where we exactly were as soon as I woke up. “Outskirts of Jaisalmer”, he answered. I peeped out of the window. From retina to horizon, sand scattered upto miles could be seen. I feel it is the right place for a soul. I mean, a place where quiet sand sits below an endless sky is where soul exists.

The golden town of Jaisalmer is packed with colours, celebrations and laughter. No other city evokes medieval desert flavour better! True desert companions, camels in Rajasthan are real show-stealers. Apart from the colorfully dressed locals, I was amazed to see the well-clad camels.

Moving further, my eyes caught hold of an old yet stunning haveli. I immediately decided to stay here. The architectural structure was treasure in itself. Carved in sandstone, it was a five-storied monument. My hotel room was on the top floor and an exclusive view for miles to go seen from the balcony was an added charm. Meals tasted even better when served on the roof top. Watching the sun rise along with a cup of tea in my hand was a moment of pure bliss for me. The instant was perfect, something I could have only imagined.

Later in the day, I visited the famous Jaisalmer Fort. Built out of yellow sandstone, the fort is fondly called the Golden Fort. The Jaisalmer Fort adds an ethereal appeal to the city. The fairy tale like beauty associated with the fort enthralled me. Springing up from the vast stretches of the golden sands, the palace complex, beautiful carved havelis and several temples that the fort houses are equally beautiful. The colorful interiors of the fort exhibit a great deal of richness and royalty.

After a long time, I grabbed the camera to recapture my passion for photography. And then endless clicks capturing the awe-inspiring monuments, desert sunset, merry-making and celebrations. Photographing the lively and hospitable Rajasthanis was purely pleasurable. My Jaisalmer Tour was simply an unbelievable travel-in-time experience.