Desert, camels and stars
Another Highlight of our trip so far....
Most people go to Jaisalmer to go camel trekking but when someone suggested that we went on a camel trek in Pushkar, we did!
Let me introduce you to our camels:
NAME: Krishna Charles
AGE: 3
PERSONALTY: Generally well behaved, apart from the occasional bite. A bit lazy but he is only 3!
NAME: Rama Camilia
AGE: 6
PERSONALTY: Naughty, rude, trumps alot, blows rasberries but very strong, needs a girlfriend
With our camel guides, Shiva and Bhawana we had quite a team. We left Pushkar with me sitting on the front of Krishna and Jim behind me and in front of us the boy's cart pulled by Rama.
As soon as we left Pushkar we were into the desert.
Let me give you a guided tour of Pushkar:
It is in a valley surrounded by 2 mountain ranges, to the East, Snake Mountain and to the West Carbara Mountains. Our journey took us 30km around the back of the Carbara Mountains and back into the Pushkar valley.
We rode for about 3 hours to our lunch stop, a flower farm. An oasis in the middle of the desert. Dal, rice and veg were served and made spicy to our request.
It was not long before we were back on the camels and into the desert again. Jim this time took the cart option with the boys. I think it had something to do with the whiskey!
This left me alone with Krishna it was amazing being 8 foot off the ground, the views were stunning, desert, trees, birds, villages, farms and temples - we saw them all.
Krishna had been great up till about 1km from our campsite, when he pulled a 'camel paddy' on me. The boys were about 100m in front so I was left to deal with it on my own. Krishna made lots of grumling noises, biting sounds and did try to bite my leg (its amazing how flexible a camels neck is) then he sat down with me perched on top. So with some big leg kicks and sweet talk he got up. I think it was because I told him dinner was near by!
Anyway we soon were trotting back to the boys cart. The camels guides were very impressed with my camel riding skills and so was I!
Our campsite was in an incredible setting. We were in a dried, sandy river bed surrounded by sand dunes and hills. In front of us was an 11th century fort called 'Tila'. Whilst our guides cooked us tea Jim and I went to the top of one of the dunes and watched the sunset, it was the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.
After tea, cooked on an open fire with fresh baked bread we settled down for the night on the sand next to the cart. We were all curled up under blankets and lay back to watch the stars. It was very romantic.
After a great nights sleep we woke up to the sun rising over the mountains - beautiful. Soon we were on our way again. This time Jim sat on the front of Krishna and me at the back.
We stopped after a while for chai at the side of the road before we headed over the pass back towards Pushkar.
For lunch we stopped under a sacred tree, next to a water pump. This was a real social place where goat hurders and farmers met on their return from grazing the animals. We shared fresh goats milk chai with locals - a real treat. The women took a shine to me and tried on all my jelwellery, glasses and hat. They plaited my hair and for an hour we laughed and joke - neither side being able to speak each others lanauage.
Soon it was time to return to Pushkar so through a few more villages with shouts of 'hello, Namasta and wot u name?' It was great to wave to everyone.
Just as the sun set Rama and Krishna got back to their stable area and we had to say our goodbyes. I think Krishna was sad to see me go!
It was truly an amazing adventure and a real highlight in India. We were the only people doing this trek and we saw no other groups. The memories will last for a long time...
Fi
Most people go to Jaisalmer to go camel trekking but when someone suggested that we went on a camel trek in Pushkar, we did!
Let me introduce you to our camels:
NAME: Krishna Charles
AGE: 3
PERSONALTY: Generally well behaved, apart from the occasional bite. A bit lazy but he is only 3!
NAME: Rama Camilia
AGE: 6
PERSONALTY: Naughty, rude, trumps alot, blows rasberries but very strong, needs a girlfriend
With our camel guides, Shiva and Bhawana we had quite a team. We left Pushkar with me sitting on the front of Krishna and Jim behind me and in front of us the boy's cart pulled by Rama.
As soon as we left Pushkar we were into the desert.
Let me give you a guided tour of Pushkar:
It is in a valley surrounded by 2 mountain ranges, to the East, Snake Mountain and to the West Carbara Mountains. Our journey took us 30km around the back of the Carbara Mountains and back into the Pushkar valley.
We rode for about 3 hours to our lunch stop, a flower farm. An oasis in the middle of the desert. Dal, rice and veg were served and made spicy to our request.
It was not long before we were back on the camels and into the desert again. Jim this time took the cart option with the boys. I think it had something to do with the whiskey!
This left me alone with Krishna it was amazing being 8 foot off the ground, the views were stunning, desert, trees, birds, villages, farms and temples - we saw them all.
Krishna had been great up till about 1km from our campsite, when he pulled a 'camel paddy' on me. The boys were about 100m in front so I was left to deal with it on my own. Krishna made lots of grumling noises, biting sounds and did try to bite my leg (its amazing how flexible a camels neck is) then he sat down with me perched on top. So with some big leg kicks and sweet talk he got up. I think it was because I told him dinner was near by!
Anyway we soon were trotting back to the boys cart. The camels guides were very impressed with my camel riding skills and so was I!
Our campsite was in an incredible setting. We were in a dried, sandy river bed surrounded by sand dunes and hills. In front of us was an 11th century fort called 'Tila'. Whilst our guides cooked us tea Jim and I went to the top of one of the dunes and watched the sunset, it was the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.
After tea, cooked on an open fire with fresh baked bread we settled down for the night on the sand next to the cart. We were all curled up under blankets and lay back to watch the stars. It was very romantic.
After a great nights sleep we woke up to the sun rising over the mountains - beautiful. Soon we were on our way again. This time Jim sat on the front of Krishna and me at the back.
We stopped after a while for chai at the side of the road before we headed over the pass back towards Pushkar.
For lunch we stopped under a sacred tree, next to a water pump. This was a real social place where goat hurders and farmers met on their return from grazing the animals. We shared fresh goats milk chai with locals - a real treat. The women took a shine to me and tried on all my jelwellery, glasses and hat. They plaited my hair and for an hour we laughed and joke - neither side being able to speak each others lanauage.
Soon it was time to return to Pushkar so through a few more villages with shouts of 'hello, Namasta and wot u name?' It was great to wave to everyone.
Just as the sun set Rama and Krishna got back to their stable area and we had to say our goodbyes. I think Krishna was sad to see me go!
It was truly an amazing adventure and a real highlight in India. We were the only people doing this trek and we saw no other groups. The memories will last for a long time...
Fi
posted by Fi and Jim @ 8:17 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home