Road to Udaipur

On to Udaipur

The 5am alarm blares in the early morning darkness. We gather our luggage Room with ornate pillars and fancy wooden bedframe with desk, chair and mirror on the side and head out in tuk tuks to the bus station.

The bus is a tourist class and same as any tourist class in North America. It stops at numerous towns along the way to pick up and drop off people. After about 6.5 hours we arrive in Udaipur.

Udaipur is a beautiful city with a number of artificial freshwater lakes. A lot of celebrities and Hollywood and Bollywood stars come here to stay at the Taj Lake Palace Hotel which appears to float in the middle of Lake Lookinng down into the inner courtyard where a man is on a chair, from the third floor Pichola. Movies like the James Bond film Octopussy and parts of the Exotic Marigold Hotel were shot here.

Our accomodation, Narayan Niwas, is in a havelis (mansion). The rooms are clean, spacious with marble floors and exotic looking beds. There is no elevator and we are on the third floor so I get much needed exercise. The floors are built around a courtyard. A bit of a plunge down from the third floor if you sleep walk.

Afternoon in Udaipur

We clean up and go to the beautiful Rainbow Restaurant. Rooftop restaurant with people eating overlooking the water with low mountains in the background There are gorgeous views over Lake Pichola from its rooftop location. And best of all they offer salads washed in bottled mineral water. We are all happy with our food. Yum.

We go on an orientation walk after lunch and finish at an artist shop where they give a short seminar on the art of detailed paintings. I buy a small painting of peacocks.

Garima takes Jasmine and I to a tailor where Jasmine tries on a few dresses and they help me choose material for my sari Gateway with arches in two layers of balconies blouse. I’m fitted and I pay for the blouse and undershirt which I will pick up tomorrow.

Sunset on Lake Pichola

Everyone relaxes for a few hours and we meet for a sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola.

We pass a few palaces on islands which large gate and buildings at waterfront with birds flying in front are now high end hotels, the type of places stars like Madonna stay at. The sun sets in it’s golden brilliance. Breathtaking!

After a quick rest, we head to Gangaur Ghat where a party/festival is happening in honour of Lord Shiva’s Dance. Apparently Lord Shiva likes techno pop because that’s what is playing.

People surround the dancers as disco lights flash on and bright orange sunsetting behind low mountains, reflected in the lake off. There are only male dancers in the centre.

I head back to the hotel and John and some of the others go for dinner at another roof top restaurant called Charcoal which is also good with views of the night lights.

Costs

*Lake Pichola Large gate with arches at night with many people mulling around it sunset cruise- 400Rs