Club Mahindra Jaisalmer Day 6 and 7

My final two days were as under.
Day 6: March 19, 2016
Day 6 happened to be checkout day. Though initially the Tao Experiences guy had told to keep the vehicle for local sightseeing and the drop at station we decided not to go for any sightseeing on the last day.
We asked for drop to station and as late as possible.
While check in on our arrival was done at 6:30 AM, no such luxury was offered for checkout.
Our train was at 7:20 PM and they asked us to leave the room by 12 Noon. Officially the check in time is 2 PM and check-out time is 10 AM.
They further asked us to settle the bill by 10:30 AM so that system will show that we had checked out.
So we had breakfast in room and settled both the bills, i.e. Club Mahindra bill for food and Tao Experiences bill for Travel and Taxi and then left the room by 11:30 AM and taxi dropped us at station by 12:30 PM. We sat for a bit at Jaisalmer station waiting room and then decided to take a room for a few hours till 5 or 6 PM and that we did. On the way several autos and taxis hounded us for 'local sightseeing' but we politely declined them. The hotel guy took Rs 500 and gave us a room for rest and we had lunch on the same building roof top.
The architecture is Jaisalmer (and Jodhpur also) is unique in the sense that a similar kind of stone and pattern is used in construction which gives a unique look to the sights and buildings.
Also the sandstone type rock used in Jaisalmer is not only visually very appealing but also gives a "cooling effect". While outside it may be 45 degrees, inside it feels like 30 degrees. Such is the wonderful effect.
Then at 5:30 PM we left the hotel and waited at station for the train which had already reached Jaisalmer. (It is a weekly express). Then at 07:20 PM the train left and we along with. The magical Golden fort looming over the town it was too good an experience. The day before we had seen from top of the fort the view of the station which was clearly visible.
Next inside train which was very much full of military personnel who were returning after a successful participation in Operation Iron Fist 2016 which was held on the previous day.
In a Junction after Jaisalmer few people from one family got up and they were too active and kept a "running commentary" on because on that day March 19, 2016, India-Pakistan match in World T20 was being held. They were pacified only when India won the match.
Day 7-March 20, 2016
By morning those members from that family had got down at Falna station we were approaching Ahmedabad. People changed. I had "vada pav" and "bread-cutlet" for breakfast. We reached Vadodara subsequently and there a Doctor got on the train with his wife and he also kept the conversation alive. He got down at Vapi and after that it was a short ride to Borivali where we got down and our journey ended.

Journey 2 The Mysterious Island

Watched this movie on Netflix. Liked the movie. Movie is okay for a one time watch.

Airlift, Goosebumps, Hot-Bot

Watched three more movies as mentioned in the subject line.
"Airlift" was watched on Tata Sky Showcase HD Channel. Movie is great. Based on the 1990-91 Gulf War Takeaways from the movie include as below:

• 15-16 year old boys were being used as soldiers by Saddam.
• The Kuwaiti leaders exodus upon invasion
• The "embargo" which was imposed by US and UK (mainly). That made Indian ships to turn around. Guess Saddam did not see that coming. Indians also must not have seen that coming. The embargo was the most humiliating thing to be imposed on Iraq and I believe it was not lifted till 2003 invasion of Iraq. I believe since it was Iraq and all countries surrounding it came together it was successful. US and UK can never ever bully a country like India or China or Pakistan or Iran or Myanmar which are too huge and have too many border crossings. It would be difficult if not impossible to browbeat these countries.

"Goosebumps" was watched on Tata Sky Showcase Channel. It is like "Jumanji" movie. I liked it no matter what everyone feels.
"Hot-Bot" was watched on Netflix. Definitely okay for a one-time watch.

Club Mahindra Jaisalmer Day 5

At Rajasthan Day 5 was March 18, 2016.
On that day we had fixed to go for Jaisalmer City sightseeing. We also added two add-ons to the trip which was Army Museum and Wood fossil park.
On that day PM Modi, President and CM were supposed to arrive in Jaisalmer for an "Areo show" which later we came to know that it was "Iron Fist 2016".
Jaisalmer has an airport though it is not open for civilian aircrafts. Jodhpur has the airport which is open to both civilian and military. Jaisalmer airport is an Air Force airport though our driver told that civilian airport would be open from September. Maybe he heard it from somewhere and maybe it is hope that someday civilian airplanes would operate from there. We must remember that hope keeps people alive in the most difficult of circumstances.
Anyways there was plenty of arrangements for Security of the high profile people arriving like there were bamboo dividers placed on both sides of the road and we were advised to go to Army museum initially.
Army museum is officially known are War Memorial Museum of Jaisalmer is open from 9 AM to 5 PM and all can visit. There was also a documentary shown there and all vehicles were put on display.
After Army Museum we went to Jaisalmer Golden fort and upon advise of the driver we took a guide and he showed us around. Jaisalmer Golden fort is a magical place and once we go through the fort inside and more inside we end up on the roof and we get a very good view of the surroundings. In fact the top of the fort must be the tallest point not only in Jaisalmer but also for 100s of kms I suppose.
But we did not take a camera ticket and so we did not click any pictures.
Then there were three "havelis" which are must visits but we only visited "Salim Singh ki haveli" which was closed for lunch and was to reopen at 4 PM.
Then there was this "Mandir Palace", half of which is a hotel and the other half is the residence of the Jaisalmer king who no longer lives in the fort. About 75% of the fort has been handed to people who are living inside the fort and balance is open for public view the proceeds of which goes to the ex-King.
But since the CM was supposed to arrive, the hotel was closed for public view.
Then we were taken to a handloom showroom and we purchased just a Saree though there was pleny much more on offer.
After that we saw Gadisar Sagar lake and then saw "Vyas Chatris" from outside and it is closed till 4 PM. We reached there much before 4 PM.
Then we returned back to the resort and there we got to see live on DD National Channel the event which was "Iron Fist 2016". Then we went to see the event on Club Mahindra premises which was Live Band. The live band members happened to be Club Mahindra employees who look after Fun Activities at the resort.
On that day we ordered meal at room because we did not want to overload ourselves with food as we were supposed to travel the next day.

India Bangladesh Match @ WT20

This match was yesterday and the main point I want to make is that the match was fixed.
Bangladesh were asked to lose deliberately. Else how can you explain that 2 runs in 3 balls and then 3 wickets fall consecutively.
Indians would have threatened Bangladesh that their players would be banned from IPL (unofficially of course). No one would let them take part in IPL if Bangladesh defeat India.
India is a bully and and mafia type country which can use these threat and intimation tactics.
I will say it will not be surprising if India goes on to win the World Cup.
Everything belongs to India when World Cup is being played in India.

• The stadiums,
• The chairs
• The tables
• The air players breathe
• The food players eat
• The hotels they stay in
• The buses used for transport
• Even the stadiums are full of Indians who have paid thousands of rupees for tickets

Thus it is but natural that India will win. And will even use match-fixing as a tool. IPL is a golden pie and everyone wants a piece of it.
Pakistan has been deliberately shut out of it. Now Bangladesh would have been threatened with the same consequences. Thus Bangladesh lost deliberately and it was no "choke" which happened.

Bangladesh Player Banning Conspiracy

I will say India, Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of ICC have conspired to ban two Bangladeshi players from T20 World Cup to weaken them and make the chances of winning for Australia and India more and more.
They were afraid of Bangladesh that Bangladesh will make their way into the final four.
Hence the conspiracy and banning so that they will find it easy to defeat Bangladesh and Bangladesh would be eliminated.
I will say shame on this.
Why could not they do it after World Cup? Why do it when T20 World Cup is in progression?
Why punish Bangladesh for 'playing good' if not exceptionally good.
It is morally reprehensible and deserves condemnation.
Shame on India and Shame on Australia and Shame on ICC. For resorting to such cheap tactics to win the World Cup.
Already Bangladesh were put in tough situation by putting them in a small tournament for qualifying.
In 2011 all teams played all teams and that was 50 overs world cup.
This is 20 overs World Cup. It is not difficult to give all teams a fair chance is it.
Even if it isn't, at least two teams should have been allowed to proceed to play with the Big eight teams.
I will say Indians have got nothing to be proud about.
They are winning through nefarious methods which should not at all be permissible.

Club Mahindra Jaisalmer Day 3 onwards

Went to Club Mahindra Jaisalmer and I carry the story forward.
Day 3: March 16, 2016
Day 3 early morning was Wednesday and we reached Jaisalmer by Jodhpur Jaisalmer express at 6 AM.
Club Mahindra had arranged vehicle for pickup and it was chargeable.
We reached the Club which was a clean 17kms from the City of Jaisalmer. We had the background of the Jaisalmer Golden fort which was lighted with orange light and looked huge and beautiful from distance.
Immediately we were given a room. Even over phone the Executive from Club Mahindra had told that if rooms are vacant he would allott the room immediately.
Initially we were given a Studio room but our booking was for Hotel Unit which we were allotted subsequently.
Then after finishing daily rituals we took a double meal package which included buffet breakfast and dinner.
Then we enquired with Tao Experiences and they are the travel desk people and they suggested we visit two Jain temples, Kuldhara village and desert evening at Sam Sand Dunes.
We did not have lunch due to heavy breakfast and proceeded as suggested.
After excellent Jain temples and abandoned village we reached Sam Sand Dunes and we reached slightly early at 4 PM.
The evening program was ride on a camel to see sunset, desert entertainment and dinner buffet.
But since we were tired we came back immediately after the camel ride and did not stay for sunset and desert dance program. Our dinner buffet was already fixed at resort. On the way we stopped the car and saw the sunset.
Subsequently after little bit of rest we had dinner and retired for the day. Club Mahindra had arranged their own musical program with Rajasthani artists.
Day 4 : March 17, 2016
On this day we had breakfast a-la-carte because we knew we were going to far off place which was as below:
Tanot Mata Ka Mandir, Longewal and Bara bagh.
We visited Tanot mata ka Mandir and another Mandir also fell on the way. These are the places where legend says that during 1971 war Pakistani forces came but due to Mata miracle they destroyed themselves and could not proceed. Tanot Mata Mandir it is said that 3000 bombs fell on the spot but the Mandir was not harmed in anyway.
The Mandir i.e. the Temple is now maintained by BSF which is the Border Security Force of India.
From there we proceeded to Longewal where 120 Indian soldiers defended against 90 tanks and 120 vehicles and 2000 Pakistani soldiers. The film Border was based on that. The Longewal also has museum and audio visual clip is also shown there.
All the way there was desert but not full desert. It seems from Punjab state water flows in the desert on Indira Gandhi Canal (which we had read about in school) and surprisingly the desert is turning green little by little. BSF also plays a part as they plant trees during their part-time.
After Longewal we went back and had lunch on the way at Ramgadh. Lunch was full vegeterian as was expected in a state like Rajasthan.
Then we went to Bara Bagh which was a monument for Jaisalmer kings. There was a local guide there who told that he would tell the full story which would be surprising and shocking at teh same time for Rs200 but we did not pay and came back to Club Mahindra. Evening program at Club Mahindra was DJ night.
A Club Mahindra Executive also briefed us about new clubs being opened . It seems Club Mahindra has acquired a Finland based company which would give access to 40 plus clubs abroad and India also many more clubs are being opened by Club Mahindra. He also explained us in detail about the benefits of RCI membership.
Then we took another two meal buffet package. Here the buffet was non-veg included and thanks for that. Another two days story is there which I will continue in another post.