Jaisalmer's bazaars are evocative of the medieval days when the town flourished because of its position on the main caravan trail up through Afghanistan. Walking through the narrow winding lanes flanked by carved havelis, we were transported back to the time when this was the place where the products of India and China were exchanged for those of Persia, Arabia, Africa and Europe.

Jaisalmer is a great place to pick up chunky rustic silver jewellery, colourful embroidered and mirror-worked fabrics, camel leather goods, wood carvings and various delicately carved sandstone items.

We had dinner at the ethnic Narayan Niwas Palace Hotel with folk music and dance against the backdrop of the dazzlingly lit Fort.

Spent the forenoon visiting the royal palace known as Mandir Palace and Tazia Tower. Also saw the beautiful man-made Gadsisar Lake - encircled with beautiful archways, cupolas and kiosks, it has been a watering hole for dog-years in the Thar Desert.

Tucked away in the narrow alleys, Jaisalmer's houses have some real hilarious wall paintings. The tradition is that prior to a Hindu wedding, the front wall of the bride's house was painted with an image of Lord Ganesh. Today's painters have gone beyond their brief and added their wry humour to it as you can see from this sampling at the bottom. Do click to enlarge.