The Neat Blue City . Review on Jodhpur

This is the final part of my extended narrative on Jaipur-Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The first two have been included under the name of each city.

In the evening we took the train(Delhi-Jaisalmer Express) to Jodhpur and stayed over at RTDC Ghoomar [(0291)-2545010]. Neat place and spacious rooms.

Day 7: We had a single day at Jodhpur. So we were clear that during the first half we would see the essential places and during the remaining portion we would shop till our train leaves from Jodhpur .

Early-up, we took an auto-rickshaw to the towering Mehrangarh Fort(5kms from the hotel). I noticed that this huge fort is extremely well maintained(the lavatories were sparkling clean if that is a good hint?). Here too, we hired an audio guide which was a crisp and interesting narrative. Next we walked down to Jaswant Thada, and finally took an auto-rickshaw to Umaid Bhawan palace where the present King stays. Though only a small part of the palace is open for public viewing, it is definitely impressive.

I would like to add. In Jodhpur, one should try the makhaniya lassi available at most restaurants. We also enjoyed our luncha and dinner at a place called Priya thali house in Nai Sadak. Coming to the interesting part called shopping. If you have time to walk through the traditional markets, bargain and shop, then you should venture. If you are deprived of time and prefer a clean shopping-spree, National Handloom House is a shopper’s haven. Private players with typical Rajasthan stuff at very reasonable and fixed prices. So there is no way you can get cheated! But look-out for the fake National Handloom House’s too(on the fort road). I think the original ones have a moustache man as the symbol. The largest one is in Circuit house enroute from Umaid Bhawan Palace. And, some of the branches are in Nai Sadak.

At the end of the day, we took the last train(Delhi-Jaisalmer Express) to Jaipur

Day 8: We reached Jaipur early in the morning and stayed over at RTDC Swagatham again. We were flat out like logs till noon and then we went to Johari Bazaar in the evening to shop. After that we took a taxi from the hotel to Choki Dhani(a star village resort) in the outskirts of the city. The entry ticket is 300 Rs which covers dinner. Please be starved, hungry, and anemic to enjoy the dump of butter and ghee! Delicious food with an interesting concept I would say.

If there is something that I could have altered, I would have reduced a day at Jaipur and stayed over an extra day at Jodhpur to visit the Bishnoi village. Despite this relaxed and extended travel, I was beat for a day after returning. Nevertheless a rejuvenating experience.

Now this ends the long narrative and I hope 2 cents of my contribution will help other fellow travelers plan better

Sandhya