Rajasthan - the desert state

Out here in the desert camels can produce around 4 litres of milk per day. And somewhat surprisingly, it tastes like regular milk! A visit to the National Research on Camels Centre seemed to be an appropriate bookend to our overnight safari on camelback into the desert. The camels played an important part in the trade routes from east to west, and today are still a common form of transport.

My camel was called 'Boss' which suited his stature and dark tonings. We headed off into the desert for a couple of hours trekking before arriving at a great lodge for the night. The accommodation consisted of large carpeted tents with a bathroom annex. More comfortable than Mallacoota, although I guess the sand becomes a little wearisome.

From a night out in the dunes, the gorgeous boutique hotel we stayed in at Bikaner was a welcome sight. Our room was a top floor suite with a porch, shuttered windows, decorated in sumptuous dusty pink and gold and furnished with antiques. Magnificent.