Traipsing in the Highways of Rajasthan

Phew! 5 days, 1500 km+, one Maruti Suzuki Esteem, 5 adults, one 11-month-old baby, and the wickedly barren and beautiful Rajasthan—that was one of the best weeks of my life. (This post was lying in my draft folder forever, trip date is October 2012).

The highlights of the trip: I was the navigator, and this was before Google Maps was all the rage; school friends of S accompanied us, they were super fun, and did I mention that spirited 11-month-old baby girl. Our road trip started from Delhi to Jaipur-Ajmer-Pushkar-Jodhpur-Bikaner and back.

Those were the days, when a trip meant enjoying it and not restlessly clicking pics and uploading them, I actually have very few pics of that trip by today's standard but I'll tell you this, that was a very memorable trip. I mean, we still remember every day and moment of that vacation. Again, you put four school friends together, who are now married and have kids and its a marathon of just talking, laughing and pulling each other's legs and not touching your phone ever. And put an adorable little toddler in that mix, now you have a total engagement fix. She was an ideal toddler to travel with, no tantrums or crying at all, ate everything without fuss, not tied up with mom and dad, amicable and always in a mood for a smile. I still draw comparisons of her with my own kid, and I do find her wanting. She was a gem of a girl, Tinni.

To begin with... Jaipur

Nahargarh Fort Palace, Amer.

Nothing can beat the mystery steeped in its forts or the grandeur of the times, this is how the gallery looks in the queen's palace which housed nine queens.

Jaigarh Fort, Amer.

This is the biggest canon in the world with a range of 22 miles and uses 100 kg of gun powder, the king never had to use it ever after a test run, wonder why?

The fog in Jaipur doesn't let us see the Jal Mahal below very clearly while we are atop the Amer fort.

On the steep roads towards the fort, be ready for a 'Royal Ignore' from elephants; you will try to overtake them only at your own risk!

Nothing however beats the grandeur of Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur. It's awe-inspiring!

Hmmm... true to my job, I found a typo in this board displayed outside Junagadh Fort, Bikaner. If you find it, let me know. 

We scouted out every castle, fort and museum and we gorged on everything edible. I mean, roadside vendors to restaurants to highway dhabas, we bit into every food item we put our eyes on. Its an added fun to go on a trip with like-minded fellows.

Makhaniya Lassi is a must-eat in Jodhpur, its so sinful, I almost felt guilty after having it. Then I had it again, followed by another guilt-trip but every sip was worth it! Other must-eat's include, Gulabjamun ki Sabji (Jodhpur), Ker Sangri (Sabji and achhar both, Bikaner), Bajre ki Roti and of course the usual Dal Bati Churma and Gatte ki Sabji.

Plastic is banned in Rajasthan so shops wrap merchandise in bags made out of synthetic sarees, very encouraging indeed. Commendable!

Camel-hide stuff, Sasta, Sundar, Tikau

Beautiful roads in Rajasthan, though we paid highway toll taxes through our nose, we never did less than 120 kmph. 

The roads are a long stretch of nothingness at times, not even another passing car or truck, just our car and its headlights. I remember, when there were no rest stops for a long while and we girls had to brave it out in the bushes, the thorny bushes of the semi-arid desert. Oh, how we scratched and pricked ourselves and kept on repeating after a famous ad from the time, 'Let's do jhaari ke peeche'.

But on our way back from Bikaner to Delhi, the moment you enter Haryana, be scared, be very scared, those roads can kill!

The sands beckon... go make that trip, stay in havelis turned guest houses and cozy up in the luxurious hospitality the state offers. Just take your friends along!