Exploring Udaipur
City Palace
I shower but can’t quite get the water temperature figured out. Which side is hot? Which cold? Does the hot water tank switch go up or down? What are these other knobs, taps, switches and faucets for? Every hotel is different. I’m so confused.Garima, Paul, John and I go to Cafe La Comida for breakfast. I have bacon and eggs. It actually tastes like Canadian bacon.
We then head to the City Palace for opening st 9:30am and
all purchase audio guides. There is a lot to see. You need a minimum of 1.5 hours. Very picturesque.I am confused when I see the statue of the Maharaja’s horse with an elephant trunk on it. Could he not afford an elephant? The audio guide clears this up. The Maharaja felt his horse moved quicker and was more versatile than an elephant. An elephant will not attack another elephant so he added a trunk to his horse and rode it in to battle.
Garden of Maids
A quick washroom stop at the hotel and we’re back in the tuk tuks and off to Saheliyon-Ki-Bari Gardens (Garden of Maids).
Udaipur is very hilly in places. Some
of the hills are so steep that it feels like the tuktuk can barely make it up. What if the brakes go and we go hurtling backwards down the hill creating massive destruction amongst the vehicles, people, dogs and cows behind us? …just a thought.The beautiful Saheliyon-Ki-Bari Garden is near Lake Fateh Sagar the other main lake in Udaipur. The garden was created for the Maharaja’s wife and girlfriends to walk in. A perfect place to while away a hot
afternoon; the many large trees give shade, the colorful flowers add beauty and the many fountains another layer of interest.Once again it starts with two people and the next thing I know, there is a crowd of people taking selfies with me…it’s going to be hard returning to Canada where I’m nothing special.
Piling into two tuk tuks, an authentic all-you-can-eat fixed plate Indian restaurant is our next stop. The plates are huge and the staff keep coming over and over again with refills. Now I know what a dragon’s mouth must feel like.
After trying a few spoonfuls, I try to tame the burning with rice, yogurt, papidums, Indian bread and water. I feel like I’m sweating profusely. The cost per endless plate is 170Rs- $3.00 CAD.On the way to our last stop in the tuk tuk I need to wear my face mask because the fumes are overwhelming. My nostrils feel like I’m being tear gassed.
Have I mentioned how insane traffic in India is?
Every last space is used by vehicles, bikes, pedestrians and animals. It’s not for the faint at heart. At one point, the car ahead of us is a bit hesitant which causes a super pile up. People come out into the middle of it and try to direct the chaos. Even our tuk tuk driver gets out to direct. The horns are deafening. Pandemonium!Spectacular View
We arrive at the cable cars to take us up to Karni Mata Temple.
The simple temple is not the attraction but the view is spectacular. The whole city and Lake Pichola is laid out at our feet.
Unfortunately there are only six cable cars going up and down and we wait over half an hour in a very loud (machine gun virtual reality game) area with the air dripping in grease from fast food stands. The ultimate in over stimulation but the view was worth it.
As soon as we get back, I pop over to the tailor to pick up
my made to measure sari top and the underskirt.
John and I go back to Cafe La Comida and relax with a virgin mint and lemon mojito and a cappuccino.
The evening entertainment is a spectacular cultural dance show at the Bagore-ki-Haveli. This show is hugely popular and Garima manages to get us great seats. Besides musicians, dancers, and a puppeteer, there is even a guy that puts stones from a fire into his mouth. The show is great value for 150Rs.
For dinner we go to the rooftop restaurant 
of the Udai Garh Hotel. The view of the lit up buildings, reflected in the calm water is gorgeous.