India Day 14 - Udaipur

The sun was shining, breakfast was good, and we had a lot planned for today. At 8:30 after an ATM stop, we headed to the City Palace. This one was quite a bit more extensive than the one in Jaipur and KV left us with a very capable and easy-on-the-eye guide ;-)

These 2 fellows have been our driver and navigator since we left Delhi

There were wonderful views of one of the lakes from many vantage points in the palace. The island that is in the middle of the lake has a hotel and it only costs $1,000 USD to stay there for the night.

There was a room with a glass ceiling and floors, and much colourful glass and mirrors on the walls.

Everywhere you looked there were stunning arches, doorways, pillars, walls, and paintings - an artist's delight!

The outside of the palace is spectacular as well.

The admission costs go towards ongoing restoration work.

I wouldn't be too keen on climbing this scaffolding!

It was an extra 250 rupees for a camera fee but this time it was worth it.

It was very hot and sunny and when we stood in the outdoor courtyards throughout the palace, I tried to find shade. We went at a steady pace and I was glad when we went for lunch. There is a restaurant on the palace grounds and it was nicely shaded. Prices were high and I wasn't all that hungry so I ordered a lime soda, humus and pita bread followed by a dish of chocolate ice cream.

With taxes, it was 850 rupees. That is twice the cost that many of my meals have been here in India. C'est la vie!

Once outside the palace complex, we walked to Jagdish Temple where they were worshipping? I would have loved to take a video of the singing, dancing and colourful outfits but there were no photos allowed inside. The outside was like the temples of Kujaraho with hundreds of detailed carvings.

After that, we were given time in a long block of shops. Earlier, I had seen quite a few that sold nothing but journals and I was most anxious to have a better look. I found another small one for me and some for gifts. And I found a Coke Zero for only 30 rupees!

Then KV led us to another shop for a miniature painting demonstration. This area is known for amazing miniature art done on silk, wood, paper and camel bone. The camel bone is actually ground up into a powder then they add something (I forget what) to make it into a flattened piece. When you hold it up to the light, it is translucent. They used to paint on elephant ivory but that is now illegal.

The paint is made from powdered malachite, charcoal, conch shells and even cow urine. The heavier paint brush is made from camel eyelashes; the thinner brush is from the hairs of a squirrel's tail.

One of the artists offered to paint a picture on our fingernail. It only took about a minute and I got a beautiful peacock. The detail is quite amazing! I only wish it would last a very long time.

Another group member wanted to go back to the shopping area after that so we set off together browsing in this shop and that. She knew of a place where she thought I could get a miniature for a great price, and indeed she scored an amazing deal on a lovely little peacock. I wouldn't have purchased one otherwise so I was very happy.

After looking at a few more shops we grabbed a tuk-tuk back to the hotel. It had cooled off considerably and I enjoyed sitting on my patio with my iPad recording the events of the day.

At 5 it was time to go, in tuk-tuks once again, to the edge of Lake Pichola for a boat ride. It was supposed to be a sunset cruise but the weather didn't cooperate. It was a pleasant and serene way to spend an hour though.

Supper was at a lovely place on the edge of one of the lakes and I enjoyed chicken thal, naan (of course), and a glass of beer.

I like Udaipur very much. I think it is because here, there is less honking in busy traffic, the shopkeepers aren't as aggressive as Jaipur, and the 7 beautiful lakes give the city beauty and serenity.