Day 23: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur 5 February 2026 скачать в хорошем качестве

Day 23: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur 5 February 2026

Jaisalmer to Jodhpur — From the Golden City to the Blue City I watched the sunrise this morning while sipping a glass of black chai. A cool breeze drifted through the fort, making the early hours feel fresh and peaceful. I skipped breakfast, partly because I’d eaten late the night before, but also because I’ve learned from Ayurveda to listen to my body. I wasn’t hungry, so there was no sense eating simply because breakfast was included or because routine says we should. Just before 9, I climbed onto the scooter again, my bags with the driver in the footwell, and we wound our way down the narrow lanes of Jaisalmer Fort to the car park where Gugal was waiting. Today’s journey would take us southeast, about 290 km, on a 5-6-hour drive to Jodhpur. The town was already bustling. As we passed the large Jaisalmer railway station, I noticed a row of tents and people sleeping along the pavement, a stark reminder of the harsh realities many face in big cities. It was heartbreaking to witness. Much of the scenery at first was familiar desert terrain, but as we entered the Jodhpur region, the landscape began to shift. The sandy dunes gave way to a more arid, rocky scrubland - stark, rugged, and beautiful in its own way. We passed small villages, including one known for spices, where I saw great piles of dried red chillies glowing in the sun. The desert road was smooth and quiet, making the journey surprisingly comfortable. We stopped for a short break, and I ordered a coffee and a buttered chapati. The coffee turned out to be instant - not what I expected - but the chapati was warm and delicious. As we drew closer to Jodhpur, the terrain became hillier. About 20 km from the city, we passed through Mandore, where huge blocks of stone lay stacked along the roadside, and quarries stretched into the distance. This region is famous for two iconic stones: 1. Chittar Stone (Rhyolite) • A pinkish‑brown volcanic rock • Extremely hard and durable • Over 700 million years old • Forms the very hill on which Mehrangarh Fort stands 2. Golden/Pink Sandstone • Softer and easier to carve • Used for façades, palaces, and havelis • Gives Jodhpur its warm “Sun City” glow Stone‑cutting and masonry have been traditional livelihoods here for generations, shaping both the landscape and the city’s architectural identity. Somewhere along the way, Gugal mentioned something delightful: the famous riding trousers known as jodhpurs truly originated here. In the late 19th century, Sir Pratap Singh of Jodhpur, a celebrated polo player, refined the design - tight from calf to ankle for grip, flared at the thigh for comfort, and worn with ankle boots. When he travelled to England, British polo players adopted the style, and soon it spread across Europe and America. So the city didn’t just lend its name - it invented the garment. Before dropping me at my accommodation, Gugal left me at Winds Restaurant for lunch. I ordered a Rajasthani mutton curry with two buttered chapatis and a starter of vegetable samosas, which were larger than expected, but delicious. I’ve grown very fond of chapatis; they’re made fresh, unlike naan, and have a lovely flavour. I asked for coffee while waiting for my meal, but it took two reminders and finally arrived just as I was finishing my butterscotch ice cream. Thankfully, it was proper coffee this time.