It's the fort that counts

Long old day yesterday. Finally succumbed to an autorickshaw driver offering to take me round all day, but he was good value for it. So went up to the Amber Fort just outside Jaipur, then took in a few more sights, and finally to the train station for the 5.5 hour ride to Jodhpur. I don't know whether it was the journey, or food, or sapping heat or just general exhaustion, but I felt pretty rough by the time I got to my hotel in Jodhpur at 11pm. Thought some food might help but my stomach said "erm, no thanks" and sent it back from whence it came! Not the best way to ingratiate myself with my new hosts.

Jodhpur is a town that sprung up on an old trade route, and is dominated by an impressive fort that looms over it on a big hill. The Indians love their forts. In fact, given that they're so heavily fortified, it's surprising that the British were able to just waltz in and take over in the 1600s. It wasn't even the British military, but the East India Company, a commercial trading company. "Right chaps, surrender your independence or we'll, erm, audit you."

Jaisalmer tomorrow, and you've guessed it, another fort. But also some camel trekking in the desert. A chance to live out the Arabian Nights fantasy that I, er, never had. And also a chance to see how effective the ciprofloxacin is on the 5 hour bus ride!

written by

phileasdogg on September 15, 2008 from Jodhpur, India

from the travel blog: Planes, Trains & Taxiwallahs

Send a Compliment

comment on this...