At the white salt desert ..banjara style

Tripoto
15th Feb 2016
Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

We were never posted to Gujarat in all of my husbands tenure. So we decided to go to Gujarat. and what better time than in February to visit Rann of Kutch during festival time...but true to our nomadic soul...we wanted an experience....not just a visit....so we decided to stay in tents and do it the Banjara way....at Shaam e Sarhad.....come with me....

Photo of Shaam E Sarhad Village Resort, Hodka, Gujarat, India by Soma Majumdar

......the entrance

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

........the reception..

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.......the lounge....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....early morning....at the lounge

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar
Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.......the colorful ceiling details against the backdrop of their local white-pop-with-glass art

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.....our TENTS.....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

......with doors and windows...

Photo of Shaam E Sarhad Village Resort, Hodka, Gujarat, India by Soma Majumdar

......the warmth.....the luxury......YES!

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar
Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.......attached, private washroom....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.....basics ...in style......the dry area divided from wet area by wall...

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

......the dry area....the wash basin with the framed mirror....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....day break...

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....heralding a beautiful day....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....early morning cuppa chai....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....breakfast at the dining hall.....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.....helpers ready to serve....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.......the handwash.....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....tents selling local handicraft fare.....

Photo of Shaam E Sarhad Village Resort, Hodka, Gujarat, India by Soma Majumdar

.....besides tents, bhunga style mud hut accomodation....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....inside the bhungas....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.....what a headboard....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....as we head towards the White rann of kutch, we visit a handicrafts village....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

......with all their local handicrafts.....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....where art students freeze art in paper and charcoal...

Photo of White Rann, Kutch, Gujarat, India by Soma Majumdar

....on our way to the white rann of kutch....

Photo of White Rann, Kutch, Gujarat, India by Soma Majumdar

....we are here atlast....

Photo of White Rann, Kutch, Gujarat, India by Soma Majumdar

.......endless stretch of white.......sand? no......snow? no......

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....its crystalline salt!!

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

......playing around...

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar
Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar
Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

.......as the sun sets...

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

....we proceed to our homes in our tents...

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

......with the evening lights on.....the tents look mysterious....

Photo of At the white salt desert ..banjara style by Soma Majumdar

...the locals entertain.....as dusk descends.....and we lounge and listen to folk tunes...as another day ends...