Udaipur is a city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, it’s set around a series of artificial lakes and is known for its lavish royal residences. 

So, we get off the train which luckily was the last stop so we ended up in the correct city. We walked out of the train station to bedlam. Tuk tuk drivers all bantering for your custom. First impressions of Udaipur was better than Jaipur. Not as busy. Short ride to our hotel. We were shown to our room. the ‘Dame Judy Dench’ room. It was large and nice. 

We were told that some scenes from the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel film were filmed in this hotel and Dame Judy Dench stayed in our room for 9 nights. (We thought he probably said this to every guest but on speaking to an Australian couple who informed us that he didn’t say this to them so maybe true). They showed the film every night at 7pm and had a picture of one of the scenes up on the wall. I have tried to replicate this for you to prove it was filmed from our hotel. We watched the film even our room was featured. Haha. 
We ventured out into the narrow streets for some food. This time although we could find plenty of restaurants they were all 4 or 5 storeys high. By the time you got up to the top we were knackered and too out of puff to turn around when we found no customers and a pretty grotty restaurant. For days we did not fancy eating much (ooh I hear you say maybe they will lose some weight). In the streets busy is not the word. Again tuk tuks, cows, scooters , cars that would not fit and even donkeys carrying heavy loads of rubble all trying to squeeze along through the narrow lanes. 
Watch the cow trying to beat the traffic jam. He sure knows how to do it! ​

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We did start to think ‘what have we done?’ But waking up the next morning and climbing the stairs to the rooftop terrace for breakfast we had a lovely surprise. We were over looking Lake Pichola which was home to the Palace Hotel   and Jag Mandir Restaurant which apparently Is the most expensive venue for a wedding in the whole of India. 
Behind our hotel and literally a stones throw away was the City Palace which we can see from our rooftop. The king of Udaipur still lives in the palace but it is open to tourists so off we went. As soon as we got in we were jumped on by a photographer. Well I will not say any more please see photo below hahahahaha.( I definatley must wear make up and lose a few stone, although Graham blames the photographer he shouldn’t of been so close – aww love him).  
The city Palace was beautiful and we found a ‘normal’ restaurant to eat in. It was a haven with lovely food mmm. 
We took a boat ride around the lake and visited Jag Madir restaurant. 

Very pretty. This was lit up in the night absolutely beautiful it’s a shame my photos don’t do it justice. 
The lake is dirty. Very dirty but this did not stop locals washing their clothes and themselves in here every day. You do not realise how far behind in times the poor people are. Obviously no running water in their home if they have one. 

We did see many make shift homes along the way. 
We enjoyed a lovely cable car ride which stopped at the top of the mountain giving spectacular views. 
We walked for quite a while one morning until there were no more tourist shops only locals. But here we saw all the lovely colourful market stalls selling their fruit and veg and chillies. I do wonder though why they find me so funny?

Of course our adventure would not be complete without graham venturing out on his own (I had a bad cold and cough) to visit the Jagdish Temple which was only metres from our hotel. Of course he was longer than I anticipated and when he eventually arrived back to the hotel I found out he had been cornered by a art dealer who offered him a cup of tea. Now those of you who know Graham also know that he would not be able to turn down the offer of a cup of tea. But, obviously the dealer wanted him to buy some art. Graham only escaped by telling him his wife would come back later and she would kill him if bought something without permission. 

There are lots of people building in India. The woman mix the concrete and here you can see them filling up the water bowl using pumps found in most streets. Their scaffolding does not look as safe as ours. Health & Safety?? 

It’s out last night and we had to try a traditional Rajasthan Thali. This is a selection of dals and curries and curd, rice, pickles, chapatti and papad (poppodum). You could have refills. Very nice. 

A lovely sunset from our rooftop pool. 

Bye for now. See you in Mumbai. X