Announcement

**Sunny** · 01-10-2011, 11:08 AM

Travelogue Approved

Rajasthan is so amazing and golden in winter, and those roads always invoke the same reaction from me - 'you can land an airplane on those!'

**kurtrules** · 01-10-2011, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the quick approval. Day 2 coming up in a while!

**satyenpoojary** · 01-10-2011, 11:46 AM

"5 days seemed enough"
- Interesting! So what happened!

**jd666** · 01-10-2011, 11:49 AM

this is my fav stretch in the country... the road from bikaner-pokhran-jaisalmer... You can get to insane speeds there!!

**kurtrules** · 01-10-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by satyenpoojary View Post

"5 days seemed enough"
- Interesting! So what happened!

Read on

Originally posted by jd666 View Post

this is my fav stretch in the country... the road from bikaner-pokhran-jaisalmer... You can get to insane speeds there!!

Completely Agree!

**kurtrules** · 01-10-2011, 01:48 PM

Some locals I met en-route

Another strange name:

In about an hour, I was in Jaisalmer, the golden city! Every structure was pale yellow in color. I stopped for refueling and was hounded by touts from all over. Managed to talk my out of them!

So there I was, parked near the Hanuman chowk, Jaisalmer staring at 4 different exits for 4 different directions and not able to decide which one to take!

I took the nearest one, the one on my left, and saw that it led to Sam. Hence Sam it was for Day 1 of 2 days that I was going to spending here

On the way I stopped by a travel agent to check on the booking rates for the desert camp package. Was left aghast at the price quoted: - Rs 3000 pp/per night!

Needless to say that the road leading out to Sam was as smooth as silk!

Reached Sam and then began hunting for the desert camp package, on the fly. It was off season and I was well aware of that. Quite evidently, I was hounded by touts again. Managed to initiate talks with one of them. He was asking for Rs 1200 for the complete package which included 1) Night stay in the huts/tents whichever convenient 2) Short camel safari 3) Rajasthani folk dance in the evening 4) Authentic Rajasthani dinner and finally light breakfast in the morning.

I quoted Rs400 and he stared at me as if I had ripped him down to his birthday suit: D

Finally the deal was set at Rs 650 for everything (Could have bargained more but was a bit tired and still had to Khudi to travel to

)

But somehow, I still was under two minds on whether to stay at Khudi or ground base here.

I head off to explore Khudi. Had heard that there was a remote road leading upto Khudi directly from Sam, 35 kms in length.

This was it:

Which soon became this, for a short stretch:

I reached Khudi in sometime; I found Sam to be more attractive and hence had a cup of tea and rode back to Sam

I dumped my luggage in the tent allotted to me (I could choose any as I was pretty much the only one there, till then) and then walked out to the courtyard where I met a couple of youngsters, who were locals there, from a nearby village. They would have been around 18. Introductions were exchanged and we started off on good talking terms. One of them had a CBZ-Xtreme and told me that they were experts in riding on sand-dune dunes. Now at first I thought how this could be possible. I mean how could one ride on raw, dry sand without falling prey to immense wheel-spin. But they said they were regulars and could show me.

Well, I gave them a go ahead but not before tagging myself with them, on R-15. Now this was not off-road, this was sand. Huge dunes of sand on which we were a) attempting to scale from ground level which meant ride up the sand dune and b) sustain riding on top of the dune!

My little friend on the CBZ slid up like a Saharan rattlesnake with utmost ease and control over the vehicle. I tried the first time. Slot in 1st, upto 2nd then entered the incline. The bike began to go hay-wire wheel spin and I had to shift down. Hence I got stuck due to lack of momentum, both wheels stuck in sand.

Third time on, I finally did it! Hurray!!

My little friends

With all the effort, lethargy was bound to creep in. So we sat and discussed stuff. They told me about their culture, family, about summers in Sam/Jaisalmer and also about their marital status!

Yes, two out of those 18 something kids were married!

Meanwhile, at the campsite, by camel had arrived. Rode back to the location. Time for my camel safari!

I asked the camel owner to take me away from the crowd that had gathered on the high dunes of Sam. So he took me in the opposite direction where there was no-one. I politely asked him to leave and return in an hour or so for the return. He obliged. I called a vendor who was selling beer on the dunes and got some of it

So there I was, lying on sand, beer in hand, watching the sun go down, and no-body around!! One of the best moments of my life, undoubtedly!

Some pics of the dunes

Experimenting

At sunset

An hour passed by, surprisingly quick! The camel rider turned up and we went back to the campsite. The folk dance had already started by the time I arrived and unlike before, the place was crowded!

I went to the tent first. It was really cold in there. So I asked one of the attendants to shift me to a hut, as that was somewhat cozy. After freshening up, I went down to the courtyard.

The huts:

My little friends had done something unexpected! They had setup a table right in front of the dance arena with eatables and beer to top it up! I was overwhelmed by the gesture. These guys just got to know me, and I was already getting special treatment.

The dance continued for about 90 more minutes and we sat, ate, drank and enjoyed the whole procession.

Out came my Punjabi numbers. Plugged in my Ipod at the console and swayed away merrily, with majestic Bhangra steps. And not only me; I made one of the folk dancer dance along. Boy was I having fun or what!

So far so good..

..More pics shall follow soon..

**beruoist** · 01-10-2011, 02:57 PM

Pretty Good start Kurt

R15 ??..Where is your darling CBZ :P

Waiting eagerly for the rest

Cheers
Biru

**frankpilli** · 01-10-2011, 05:05 PM

Amazing writeup & Pics Kurt, Touring Rajastan was one of my favorites, planning to do it in 2011. eagerly waiting for the rest of your travelogue.

**rachitkdogra** · 01-10-2011, 06:00 PM

Man!! As always your logs amaze me!!

Good to know that your shifting base to Delhi!!
Hopefully will get a chance to ride with you soon!!

Needless to mention, but beautifull Log!!

**worrisomebear** · 01-10-2011, 06:04 PM

awesome pics, superbly written , inspiring

**Lonely Rider** · 01-10-2011, 06:21 PM

Awesome ride and clicks

**shravanchoudhary9** · 01-11-2011, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by kurtrules View Post

Some locals I met en-route

Another strange name:

In about an hour, I was in Jaisalmer, the golden city! Every structure was pale yellow in color. I stopped for refueling and was hounded by touts from all over. Managed to talk my out of them!

So there I was, parked near the Hanuman chowk, Jaisalmer staring at 4 different exits for 4 different directions and not able to decide which one to take!

I took the nearest one, the one on my left, and saw that it led to Sam. Hence Sam it was for Day 1 of 2 days that I was going to spending here

On the way I stopped by a travel agent to check on the booking rates for the desert camp package. Was left aghast at the price quoted: - Rs 3000 pp/per night!

Needless to say that the road leading out to Sam was as smooth as silk!

Reached Sam and then began hunting for the desert camp package, on the fly. It was off season and I was well aware of that. Quite evidently, I was hounded by touts again. Managed to initiate talks with one of them. He was asking for Rs 1200 for the complete package which included 1) Night stay in the huts/tents whichever convenient 2) Short camel safari 3) Rajasthani folk dance in the evening 4) Authentic Rajasthani dinner and finally light breakfast in the morning.

I quoted Rs400 and he stared at me as if I had ripped him down to his birthday suit: D

Finally the deal was set at Rs 650 for everything (Could have bargained more but was a bit tired and still had to Khudi to travel to

)

But somehow, I still was under two minds on whether to stay at Khudi or ground base here.

I head off to explore Khudi. Had heard that there was a remote road leading upto Khudi directly from Sam, 35 kms in length.

This was it:

Which soon became this, for a short stretch:

I reached Khudi in sometime; I found Sam to be more attractive and hence had a cup of tea and rode back to Sam

I dumped my luggage in the tent allotted to me (I could choose any as I was pretty much the only one there, till then) and then walked out to the courtyard where I met a couple of youngsters, who were locals there, from a nearby village. They would have been around 18. Introductions were exchanged and we started off on good talking terms. One of them had a CBZ-Xtreme and told me that they were experts in riding on sand-dune dunes. Now at first I thought how this could be possible. I mean how could one ride on raw, dry sand without falling prey to immense wheel-spin. But they said they were regulars and could show me.

Well, I gave them a go ahead but not before tagging myself with them, on R-15. Now this was not off-road, this was sand. Huge dunes of sand on which we were a) attempting to scale from ground level which meant ride up the sand dune and b) sustain riding on top of the dune!

My little friend on the CBZ slid up like a Saharan rattlesnake with utmost ease and control over the vehicle. I tried the first time. Slot in 1st, upto 2nd then entered the incline. The bike began to go hay-wire wheel spin and I had to shift down. Hence I got stuck due to lack of momentum, both wheels stuck in sand.

Third time on, I finally did it! Hurray!!

My little friends

With all the effort, lethargy was bound to creep in. So we sat and discussed stuff. They told me about their culture, family, about summers in Sam/Jaisalmer and also about their marital status!

Yes, two out of those 18 something kids were married!

Meanwhile, at the campsite, by camel had arrived. Rode back to the location. Time for my camel safari!

I asked the camel owner to take me away from the crowd that had gathered on the high dunes of Sam. So he took me in the opposite direction where there was no-one. I politely asked him to leave and return in an hour or so for the return. He obliged. I called a vendor who was selling beer on the dunes and got some of it

So there I was, lying on sand, beer in hand, watching the sun go down, and no-body around!! One of the best moments of my life, undoubtedly!

Some pics of the dunes

Experimenting

At sunset

An hour passed by, surprisingly quick! The camel rider turned up and we went back to the campsite. The folk dance had already started by the time I arrived and unlike before, the place was crowded!

I went to the tent first. It was really cold in there. So I asked one of the attendants to shift me to a hut, as that was somewhat cozy. After freshening up, I went down to the courtyard.

The huts:

My little friends had done something unexpected! They had setup a table right in front of the dance arena with eatables and beer to top it up! I was overwhelmed by the gesture. These guys just got to know me, and I was already getting special treatment.

The dance continued for about 90 more minutes and we sat, ate, drank and enjoyed the whole procession.

Out came my Punjabi numbers. Plugged in my Ipod at the console and swayed away merrily, with majestic Bhangra steps. And not only me; I made one of the folk dancer dance along. Boy was I having fun or what!

So far so good..

..More pics shall follow soon..

first of all wellcome kurtrules in my city "jaisalmer and jodhpur" . both city awesome specially jaisalmer for bike drag. i have did it with my p200l. and yes its very tough for our to drive on sand dunes. local ppl can do it as the have lot of experiance.

can u please tell me have u been or when u will come to jodhpur

. currently i am in jodhpur contact me if here at 9001150298.

enjoy riding.

**smoker n doper** · 01-11-2011, 01:23 AM

Nice trip there Kurt Ji...

loved the narration and pictures were beautiful.

P.S - You've got great bargaining skills Vaibhav Sir !

@Sravan Chaudhary : Brother avoid quoting the entire log in your post !

**Parth** · 01-11-2011, 04:01 AM

Seems like you had a lot of fun on this tour sir. Loved the pics and the text.

How did the R15 do on the sand? Any tips you'd like to share that you got off your little 'married' friends

Announcement

The Desert Loop: 2300 kms across Rajasthan

The Desert Loop: 2300 kms across Rajasthan

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