Desert Town

Jaiselmer is a small dessert town rising from the arid heat of the Thar desert, 100km from the Pakistan border. Despite the intense temperatures which soared to over 40 dregrees by day, we absolutely loved Jaiselmer with it's beautiful lopsided fort rising like a sand castle. A labyrinth of tiny winding streets run through the fort between the old havelis and are decorated by textile stalls lining the walls with their wares that twinkle and sparkle in the sun.

The women's sarees of bright reds, pinks, green and blues seem even brighter than normal against the backdrop of yellow and brown sandstone buildings in the desert. It was also a shopping haven with everything from clothes, wooden boxes and leather bags to antique furniture, miniture paintings and puppets. We bought many wonderful things that we probably don't need and for a house we haven't got but we challenge anyone who thinks they can resist the swirl of colours of Rajasthan's craftsmen.