Day 110 – Sunrise on the Dunes, Schoolboys, and a Cultural Night at Ozaki Camp
Day 110 started perfectly on the sand dune where I had camped. A small fire was set up in front of the tent, and as the sunrise unfolded, the sky transformed through stunning shades: deep dark blue giving way to fiery orange, then settling into clear blue. From the small hill-like dune, the vast depth of the desert stretched out below, making the moment feel endless and magical.
Schoolboys from Ratan Singh Ki Dhani
After the full sunrise, three boys appeared from the nearby settlement of Ratan Singh Ki Dhani in Gadra Road block of Barmer. Mahipal Singh (Class 7), Surendra Singh (Class 6), and Rahul Singh (Class 5) were full of curiosity but hesitant at first, whispering among themselves. When encouraged to ask questions, they opened up about the trip, the tent, Bhairava, and whether the cold night had been tough. “No,” they were told, “I have a complete setup.” Their smiles lit up as they took turns riding the bike and helping pack luggage down the dune till around 10 AM.
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Chai Offers and Sheep Herders
Descending to the main road, random people called out along the way, offering chai and curious conversation. Near a sheep shelter, it became clear how desert pastoral life works: villages stay central while sheep graze 5-10 km away in open desert, herders rotating between settlements and grazing grounds.
Nepal Singh, one of the chai-offering men, invited me for lunch at his nearby village, Lunar. I took his number and arrived to a warm welcome: bajra roti, curd curry, ghee, and jaggery—the full Rajasthani hospitality spread. After eating heartily (Bhairava too), I continued, exchanging words with countless people along the road.
Ozaki Desert Camp Cultural Night
By evening, I reached Ozaki Desert Camp in Sam village, checking in for a comfortable 10th stay that included food—a welcome break from tent life. The camp organized authentic Rajasthani cultural performances: desert folk singing, traditional dances with ghungroos and dholak rhythms, bright turbans swirling under lantern light. Me and Bhairava spent the night immersed in Thar Desert heritage, the day’s encounters—from dune schoolboys to village feasts—flowing perfectly into this cultural finale.
Day 110 delivered sunrise perfection, children’s curiosity, pastoral rhythms, and a taste of Rajasthan’s living traditions under one vast desert sky.
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