Jodhpur - Rough Blue City 25-26 Mar

Dear all, greetings from Jaisalmer! 

If you have been wondering if our evenings have been spent in internet cafes updating our blog, NAH! Anything is possible in India! We have managed to rent a prepaid mobile broadband device where we can access internet anywhere in India (that's what they say) so that explains our regular updates. So enjoy while it lasts cos do not think we will be able to get another in subsequent countries! 

BOB, Jeff has finally figured out who you are! FAT BOB! Vroom vroom...hehe. 

Thanks to everyone for your comments! We look forward to reading them each time we log on. Keeps us connected to people back home, so keep them coming!

And to give credit to Jeff, he has been the one enthusiatically selecting pics, writing captions etc while I start to idle...hehe..so here's another blog from him... =)

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We left the romantic Udaipur city to the rough and bustling Jodhpur - Blue City.

Expectation is a powerful frame of mind. With little/no expectations since we embarked on our journey, we enjoyed most of our experiences and budget accommodations. 

However, after the lovely romantic Udaipur city; lodging, palaces, forts, people etc, we left for Jodhpur with raised expectations and were sorely disappointed. Once there, dust, touts and haphazard traffic greeted us. It was not helped by dodgy looking lodging that Rough Guide recommended. We were tired and didn’t want to look for another so settled for a room that was not value for the amount paid. After a restful night and readjustment to our mind, we explored the city.

The safest ride we had so far is by a grandfather looking auto rickshaw driver who took us around the town. The Jodhpur fort and palace are really magnificent and the best we had seen so far. There was a wonderful introduction to the audio tour device by a delightful guide speaking in Queen’s English who totally entertained us.

We concluded that the raised expectations played a part in making this city less endearing to us. PY still didn’t like it much though apart from the fort. haha. Hence, we agreed that we shall remind ourselves not to have any expectations as every city is different in their own ways.

Penthouse of our lodge with the impressive Jodhpur Fort in the background

Impressive Jodhpur Meherangarh Fort perched on the hill

Super enthusiastic staff explaining the use of audio guide

Entering the fort..

Scars of war (holes made by cannon balls)

Awaiting Captain’s PY order to fire cannon..

 

Windows for females of Royal families to observe ceremonies without being seen by public.

Interior of Palace

Jodhpur – Blue City (buildings are covered with indigo to wade off mosquito and keep buildings cool)

Very siong to attack this fort as after scaling the outer wall, soldiers would still have to maneuver to the next inner wall while being attacked. Bao si (aka sure die)

Traditional clothings of Jodhpur

Courtyard for coronation of Kings../events

Who dares to attack us?!!

 The humorous guard who checks our bags and said, "no bomb, no bomb" to everyone! haha.. Jeff loves his mustache!