Last weekend, our group took a trip to Jaisalmer. I had high expectations, as many of my coworkers had said it was the most beautiful place in India. It exceeded my expectations and I have to write everything down so I never forget.
We started off on Saturday, all on the same flight to Jaisalmer with a large family parade that had come for a wedding! We landed at an unassuming airport. We then drove a short distance, spotting many camels and cows already!!
Not knowing what to expect of the accommodation (as it had all been organised by Naveen, the GCC coordinator that has been supporting us all throughout this trip), we arrive to a grand entrance at Nachana Haveli, the residency of a prince! After deciding on rooms, we start our tour of the Rasjathan Fort, including of various Haveli and temples with beautiful intricate designs. We have our first (of many) experiences of a musician asking for one person’s name and then singing a song incorporating their name.
We then return to Nachana Haveli, and have drinks and dinner with a beautiful view.
The following day, we traverse again around the Fort, buying knick knacks including anklets and jhumka. We have a rooftop lunch and an evening boat ride in a man-made lake! We then have a seated rooftop dinner with, once again, music incorporating our names!
On the third day, the prince takes us to the palace where we ride horses! We then pack up and prepare to travel to the desert. We arrive to sweltering heat and the tents where we will be staying for the night. We then immediately get into camel riding (yes, we rode both horses and camels in one day- that is how fast and furious this trip has been). Check out me and my fellow camel rider bestie Hayley! We then arrive back to the tents, and watch a beautiful traditional Rajasthani performance. It was so beautiful, and we were even able to participate and learn some Rajasthani dance moves at the end!
On the last day, we travelled back to the desert, this time in safari jeeps for sunrise. Then, it was back to the airport and Mumbai. What a time!
