Day-1
was sky
high! It was 5.30 am when 46 students and 4 teachers gathered at the Hyderabad
airport to start their journey to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. We reached “Nirali Dhani Resort” late in the
afternoon. After lunch we proceeded to visit the grand Ummaid Bhawan Palace. It
is a palace where the present King Maharaja Gaj Singh and his family reside. A
part of this palace has been converted into a museum. While we were coming out
of the palace, we saw Maharaja Gaj Singh. The students were so excited to have
a chance meeting with royalty! Late in the evening we had our dinner followed
by Rajasthani dance, Puppet show and horse ride. The day was well spent.
Day-2
We had always heard about the great Thar
Desert. But the mere thought of visiting this dry land made the students all
energetic and excited. We woke up early and after breakfast started our journey
to Jaisalmer, the golden city. When we reached our Hotel Fort Rajwada, we were
given a royal welcome. There, we met our other group of students and teachers
from Oakridge. After lunch we proceeded
for the grand Thar Desert Safari. It was a magnificent sight to watch a caravan
of 50 camels carrying young Oakridgers to the sand dunes. The students enjoyed
playing in the sand and later watched the mesmerising sunset on the desert. It
was moment we will cherish the rest of our lives. Later we went to a camp in
the desert and watched some amazing Rajasthani dance. It was followed by a DJ
night where the children enjoyed thoroughly. We reached our hotel late at
night. 
Day -3
The Golden Fort! This is where Satyajit Ray did
the shooting of “Sonar Kella” in the early 1970s. We were amazed to learn that
this huge structure is not built by bricks and cement! Rather, it was
interlocked bricks. The students were awestruck to see this enormous fort. We
visited the famous Jain temple situated inside the fort. We also had a view of
the entire city of Jaisalmer from the top of the fort. Later we visited the
Havelis. After lunch we went to the Desert Cultural centre. We watched Puppet
shows. It was followed by a visit to Gadisar Lake. The best part of the day though,
was Shopping!
It was time for us to leave Jaisalmer and
proceed back to the Sun City of India, Jodhpur. After lunch we visited Jaswant
Thada, a memorial made entirely of white marble. Then we visited the majestic
Mehrangarh fort. There are seven
gates, which include Jayapol (meaning 'victory'), built by Maharaja Man Singh
to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. A winding road
leads to and from the city below. We visited the museum and saw many
things which were used by the kings. After lunch we went to the Desert Cultural
centre. We watched Puppet shows. It was followed by a visit to Gadisar
Lake. Later at night we had Rajasthani
dinner. The food was great and the hospitality, amazing!
Day-5
It was time to bid adieu to royal
Rajasthan. When we woke up in the morning, we had mixed emotions. On one hand
we were feeling happy to go back to Hyderabad and meet our family. On the other
hand we were sad that the amazing trip had come to an end so soon. We went to
Rajasthan as a part of “Explore India series” and we indeed explored a lot. The
royal forts, the majestic sand dunes, the mesmerising sunset, the energetic
Rajasthani dance, the great food- Rajasthan, we want to visit you again!
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