Wednesday, April 22 – The Thar Desert – Jaisalmer to Bikaner

We arose before sunrise and watched the orange sun come up over the deep yellow sand-dunes. We were served paw-paw, boiled eggs and toast and jam with a small cup of sweet, spicy, chai tea. Then it was back into the jeeps and we sped back to Jaisalmer onto the Truck and off to Bikaner. It was an incredibly hot, day as we traveled through the Thar Desert, and the sand swirled around in the wind so much so that at points we could hardly see ahead of us for the sand-fog. Morale on the Truck was quite low as we sat drugged in our seats with the perspiration flowing freely over our bodies. Our food stops these days are often non-existent or very late and we stopped in a town called Kolayet for a samosa lunch around 3 p.m. This was an interesting town set among a lake which had lots of water and lilies. It is quite pretty and around the lake are small temples and shrines where Sadhus are supposed to hang out and bathe n the lake. We only saw one Sadhu and were set upon by a myriad of women and kids begging. The city almost seemed deserted, but I guess it was still very hot and most people were inside trying to stay coo. We ate lunch on the way to Bikaner where we are staying in another pretty hotel “The Harosar Haveli”. Ray and I spent about an hour in the Internet before showering for dinner on the roof with the Group. Tomorrow, we visit the Rat Temple ….. so check back soon!