As the hot summer starts turning sultry here in Bhuj, it's a reminder that foriegners will once again be arriving and seen on the streets soon...
Getting to Bhuj requires a little planning because, well it's quite remote and only serviced by 2 flights a day, in and out via Mumbai.
However as an Australian, I am usually coming home from Sydney. The Singapore Airlines flight from Sydney to Ahmedabad via Singapore is easy as, and Bhuj is about 7 -8  hours by road from Ahmedabad.
My favourite way to return home to Bhuj is on the Swaminaryan overnight sleeper bus!

The 905 or 904 Sleeper bus leaves from Ahmedabad around 10pm, and arrives in Bhuj at about 6am the following morning.
It does not have lay back seats tho like buses most would be familar with,  instead it has curtained off cubicles/ bunks where you can lie completely flat! I always get a single, but there are larger 'family' size ones for couples or tall or big people.  

I always sleep extreemely well on this bus! It stops twice during the night, and if I wake up the lively atmostphere of the road house, with it's cheap spicy food, an interesting mix of fellow travellers and hot steeming chai is most enjoyable.
As it's just starting to get light, the familiar villages close to Bhuj are a welcome sight, Ajrakhpur, Bhujodi and Madapur before seeing the crumbling old fort wall entering Bhuj.....Finally getting off in bus stand, where the early morning vegetable market is in full swing

This journey is really enjoyable, and being overnight you don't miss a day.....
At around Rs 500, it's a bargin in my opinion....but also great fun!

A visit to my block printers workshop in Ajrakhpur is always a delight because I get to see my great mates Sufiyan and Sukor
Sufiyan Khatri in the above pic is a master at Ajrakh, the process of using natural dyes and hand carved wooden blocks to print fabric. With his great knowledge combined with an engaging personallity, makes him a popular speaker for dyeing workshops both in India and overseas. 
And if you've been to visit Sufiyan in his Ajrakhpur workshop and enjoyed one of his demonstrations, you have probaly also met this head printer, Sukor

Sukor, a father of 4 school aged kids is talented, vivacious and charming, just like Sufiyan...but he's also deaf and mute. It's just amazing watching the 2 of them communicate ideas and information effortlessly, enjoy a joke and entertain students and shoppers like me! 
Last year Sukor's wife suffered an aneurisim,  she was gravely ill and in need of specialist care. Sufiyan arranged and paid for her medical expences, and the Khatri community, myself and others all gave what they could until her heath was restored and the family back on track.
It was wonderful to see the support he recieved from his employer, Sufiyan during this difficult time. He clearly regards his 'workers' as family and feels a great sense of responsability towards them. 
Both good men, making beautiful fabrics and I love having them as friends!
Sufiyan will be at the Santa Fe craft fair next month.....If you're lucky, you might be able to catch up with him there!