Desert Travels

Hi everyone,

we are still live, working our way across Rajasthan.  Have so far visited Jaipur which wasn't very endearing, but had some interesting sites, Jaisalmer where we spent 8 nights staying in the Fort (disobeying the Lonely Planet instructions, tsk tsk) including a 2 night camel safari in the Thar Desert and now we are in Jodphur with a bus ticket to Udaipur for tomorrow (13th Nov).

The madness of Diwali (Indian equivalent of Christmas) has ebbed...

The madness of Diwali (Indian equivalent of Christmas) has ebbed and it is now safe to walk the streets again.  Diwali (pronounced Divali)is an orgy of firecrackers and fireworks.  It seems as soon as a child is able to light a match they are given free reign to terrorise pedestrians by lighting ear-drum shattering 'bombs' on any available street surface.  So not only do you have to remain vigilant of cow-shit you have to keep clear of these dreadful explosions and we could often be seen walking around with fingers in our ears.  So, if you thought the Brisbane City Council was overzealous with fireworks then just come to India for Diwali and you'll never complain again.  I think a solid 48 hours of crackers and pyrotechnics is not an exaggeration and that doesn't include the lead-up and wind-down periods.

Will write more soon...am off to try and buy toilet paper and water (the excitement of travel)!

Love Larah and Peter