Tuesday 28 January 2014

January 26-27 - Udaipur India

Udaipur is a small city amidst the lakes in the Rajasthan region of India. It is a city of palaces and shrines where the ruling dynasty prevails after centuries of relatively unbroken  lineage - although like our own monarchy they haven't actually ruled for some time. It is a lovely location and - although our Canadian and American friends will have no sympathy with this position this winter of 2013-2014 - it was a relief to be in a cooler climate. We stayed in a lovely hotel with a spectacular view.

A room with a view at sunset.


We started with a boat ride on Lake Pichola to Jagmandir Palace - set on an island in the lake. On the way we passed another island palace called The Island Palace. Apparently Pichola and a neighbouring lake were the first human-made lakes anywhere in the world and circa the 16th century. The capacity to drain the lakes when necessary is what made it possible to build these palace islands.

The Island Palace


Jagminder Palace 


Another sunset!


In the evening we went to cultural show replete with the traditional music and dancing of the Rajasthan region. Particularly impressive was the woman dancing while balancing water jugs on her head! 

You can go a whole life without doing something and then next thing you know you are riding on the back of a camel!


Apparently the Maharana had 7 wives but that wasn't enough so he also had a girlfriend for whom he built a garden where she would hang out with the wives.

Andrew with his one wife in The Girlfriend's Garden.






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