Day 144, Udaipur, Rajasthan [Thursday 24th April 2008]
Previous day: Day 143, Chittaurgarh, Rajasthan [Wednesday 23rd April 2008]
Next day: Day 145, Udaipur, Rajasthan [Sunday 25th April 2008]
We get the bus to Udaipur and check into the superb Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, a cool white palace overlooking Lake Picchola. It's reasonably priced, too, only Rs. 1300, and it has AC. We sit in the open air bay windows, surrounded by cushions, drinking ice cold fresh lime sodas. The Lake Palace Hotel sits waiting for us in the middle of the water. We've booked a couple of nights there. The water seems low, but still gives the impression that the palace is floating on its waveless calm. High on a hill in the distance is the Monsoon palace, perched right at the peak of a craggy mountain, like a fairytale castle. Who built this whimsical architecture? It seems to be influenced by European fancies. I wonder if it is.
The tiny lanes wind around the Lal Ghat area, and the place has a warm, friendly seaside feel. We visit the City Palace, a large luxurious building on the lake shore. It has an extravagant, rich feel, full of gorgeous peacock mosaics, green leafy courtyards and crazy disco mirrored rooms. On the walls huge signs recount the history and genealogy of the Maharaja's family (throughout history the Maharaja is invariably a fat man with an extraordinary moustache). His is said to be the oldest dynasty in the world, tracing their lineage back to Lord Ram himself.
In the evening we dine on the roof of our hotel, overlooking the lake and the shining, spotlit Lake Palace. We also see some fantastic dancing and puppetry down by the Lake Shore.
Next day: Day 145, Udaipur, Rajasthan [Sunday 25th April 2008]
Previous day: Day 143, Chittaurgarh, Rajasthan [Wednesday 23rd April 2008]