Jodhpur, The Blue City

Jodhpur, The Blue City. We arrive here and can instantly feel the presence of the maharaja. The city itself is the second largest city in Rajasthan next to Jaipur. We arrive at the Ajit Bhawan, opposite the Umaid Bhawan where the royal family still resides. The Ajit Bhawan was a cute hotel, and we stayed in the little huts outside the hotel which offered us a cottage-like feel to our stay.

The following morning we visited Mehrangarh Fort. This fort is remarkably maintained and still quite impressive. Note the sheer size and we walk through the gates.

Inside the fort, we are able to view some treasures inside the museum. Below is a palanquin, used by as a mode of transportation before rickshaws and cars were in use.

A door at the fort . . .

A view from the fort of the "blue" city. These buildings are painted in indigo. Traditionally, indigo was used in the paint as a natural deterrent to pesky mosquitoes.

From Mehrangarh Fort, you can see the Umaid Bhawan Palace where the current royal family lives in one wing, and the other is used for a posh hotel.
We leave the fort and venture out shopping. As we are lost, Paul attempts to get directions from the tourist assistance booth! Ha! However, the directions actually work and we get our bearings inside this crazy bazaar.

A bread stand . . .

Paul is on the hunt in search of textiles . . .

We end our day with a rickshaw ride back to the Ajit Bhawan for some cocktails.

Here we are enjoying some stout and peanut samosas before dinner outside our "hut."