MANDAWA

We set off from Bikaner after a leisurely breakfast and the journey was on quite a good road and the surroundings became very sandy and desert-like with very dusty wind.  The road to Mandawa was off the main road for a about an hour and quite rough.  The town of Mandawa was on the silk route and the home of some of the rich merchants which they built first and then as they got richer they made these houses their less opulent Winter palaces and built a big main palace in the big city such as Delhi.  The havelis here are less restored and more raw, which is interesting to see the poorer end of the wealthy after the opulence of the Maharajahs'.

We had a nice lunch in Monica's recommended by Lonely Planet.  We have been put off by the aggressive nature of the young lads trying to take us round the havelis or to their uncles' shops- this has spoiled our experience here and we are pleased not to be spending longer than a day here.  The hotel is clean and nice and restaurant is comfortable to sit in.

We learned a little more about Hinduism in the havelis and the temple - but we were almost conned in the temple by a man we thought was religious but turned out to ask us for money and try to take us to his shop- which rather spoiled that.  More flies here on the fruit and veg.

Apparently the main haveli we were supposed to stay in is full of bollywood film actors filming - they use Mandawa a lot and have been here for a month.  We have breakfast there tomorrow.

Off tomorrow on a massive trip across Rajahstan via Bharatpur to Agra and Taj Mahal.  The easy bit is coming to an end.

Interesting picture over our bed today!

This is the Main Street in Mandawa and we are next to the Hindu temple - chanting will start at 5.30 am.