India - 2010/2011

Lots of sweets, lots of grains, and lots of milk. The rats are well fed at Deshnok's Karni Mata.

One of the residents at Karni Mata rat temple, Deshnok.

Hmmm, it is supposed to be good luck to have one of the rats run over your feet, so what does it mean when it climbs your leg? At this point, not sure if Jo or the rat knew what to do! Luckily, it was the rat who decided enough was enough, and turned around and scurried off. It would not have reflected well on us if we had needed to physically hurt the rat to stop it, being revered and worshipped hiere. Karni Mata rat temple, Deshnok.

The fort of Bikaner is really just a series of courtyards and palaces built by successive Maharajahs. Junagarh, Bikaner.

Inside Junagarh (the fort) of Bikaner.

Inside Junagarh (the fort) of Bikaner.

Inside Junagarh (the fort) of Bikaner.

Often compared to a sand castle, Jaisalmer fort is just stunning, and many people still live within it. However, it is under threat, primarily because the plumbing was never designed for so many people, particularly hotels and the strain Western tourists place on the water resources.

Inside the Jain temples of Jaisalmer.

Interior wall decoration in the Jain temples of Jaisalmer.

Inside one of the Jain temples of Jaisalmer.

Turbaned, moustached, and very Rajasthani. Streets of Jaisalmer.

This was our gorgeous balcony in Jaisalmer. It is not wooden - it is entirely made of stone! It is not for chairs and a barbecue, but more ideal for cushions. Cute, hey!

We loved this room. So many nice touches. And the stone sitting balcony just topped it off nicely.

Jaisalmer fort at dusk.

The mighty fort of Jodhpur, behind. We had coffee on this rooftop. And breakfast one morning. And dinner one evening. Had chai while waiting for our bus...

Approaching the main entrance of Jodhpur, the palace rooms look down from above.

One of the richly decorated palace audience halls in Jodhpur fort.