We set off on the bus this morning, everyone coughing and spluttering. Except that I’m definitely feeling as if I’m on the mend.
We drove around the lake that the hotel (Hilltop Palace) overlooks, Lake Fateh Sagar, and went on to a lovely C18 garden that was designed for the Queen of Udaipur for her 48 maids to enjoy. It is called Sahelion Ki Bari Gardens. Beautiful fountains, lily ponds and lovely lawns and plants…a very peaceful and gorgeous place.
Then we went on to City Palace. Another of those beautiful palaces on a hilltop with a steep climb up to them and then stairs, stairs and more stairs to get up to the top. The palace overlooks another gorgeous lake, Lake Pichola, in which sits the famous Lake Palace Hotel. The Palace itself was built in 1725 by Maharana Udai Singh and is ornate, and splendid…it is actually 11 palaces kind of rolled into one. And it was crowded, so crowded with little concept of waiting or queueing. If there was a fire you would very definitely get trampled. The palace is still the home to Udai Singhs ancestors who actually remain rulers of the independent state.
We then walked to a restaurant for lunch. It was underwhelming and I’m starting to find it hard to keep eating the buffet food. It is all really good, tasty etc but I’m a bit over it. Anyway, after lunch we went to the Mewar Art Gallery where they do these superb, fine, sort of miniature paintings which I love. They do the coarser work with brushes made from the camels eyebrow and then the fine, fine work with a squirrels hair. We watched them in action. I bought myself a painting and this time I don’t regret the purchase, I love it.
We had half an hour back at the hotel before setting of for a boat cruise on Lake Pichola. It is so beautiful, surrounded by mountains. In the centre is the Lake Palace Hotel, on the banks are the City Palace and the Lake Palace (Nag Niwas) which is supposed to be the world’s finest hotel. We stopped and got out at Jagmandir. Another palace now hotel that played a significant part in Indian history…but I’ve lost the plot a bit. Suffice to say the sun set over the lake, the palaces and hotels were lit up and it was a magical boat trip. Except that we had to wear life jackets and mine came up over my head which sent everyone into hysterics….I have a photo which I might send to you!!
7 of us did an optional extra tonight. A dancing, puppet, singing show that really was fabulous. It was jam-packed full of people and the kids just adored it too.
Back for dinner and now getting ready for bed. We fly to Aurangabad via Delhi tomorrow. Its been a long day but a thoroughly enjoyable one. I love Udaipur, I think it’s my favourite city so far.