India 2012

Back on the ramparts where the viewpoint dominates the city of Jaisalmer

This palace has undergone several successive phases of restoration.

As usual, exhibitions of weapons and photos of the city's Maharajas

No need for a helicopter to see this sacred cow 'from the sky'  

The view of Jaisalmer from the top of the palace

When the maharaja is in his palace, this light is on.

Maharajas have had no official powers since a 1971 law.

Detail on Jaisalmer 'the new'.

The old city, meanwhile, continues to be inhabited within the enclosure. Laundry also dries on the terraces of houses bordering the ramparts.

The citadel is surrounded by a 5 km rampart with 99 bastions and corner towers.

A jewel-statue in the palace

And around a street, what do we come across? Bats, of course...   Jean-Marie Bigarre won't have much success with his sketch 'We have a one in ten million chance of being bitten by a rabid bat'  

The facades of Jaisalmer's havelis are renowned for their delicacy. They look like cathedrals confined within a maze of narrow streets.

We visit this haveli which seems to be balanced at the top of its tower.

The room is completely adorned from top to bottom with colorful woodwork and other small decorative mirrors

A model in a princess costume poses for a photographer in this place worthy of the tales of a thousand and one nights

Even the pigeon wonders what's hidden under this curious plumage...  

A well-deserved little coffee in the building next door

Back to the hotel terrace for sunset. The citadel on its rock will also enjoy it.

Tonight, we dine in town.

Finally a meal that will make me forget the overly spicy sauced dishes for the basic Westerner that I am!

The traditional pan masala to finish the meal. This time, the sweets are absent, only the aniseed seeds remain.