On arrival into our hotel, we checked into the old place. It feels like 100 years ago it was a luxury palace hotel for the British, probably hunting. Now? Its feeling a bit run down but full of character. Rather nice place actually. Seems to be about the only place in town, probably as its a good stopping point on the way from A to B.

This girl met us out the front of the place and was more than willing to chat. Everytime we asked, she came out with a different name, seemingly enjoying verbally sparring with the tourists.

The town, small, cute and rural. Cows and animals have right of way.

Some of my favourite Indian pics came from the town, it was just so nice with friendly people.

The kids especially were fun. Not demanding money or things like kids in bigger cities, just much more fun and cheeky.

More interesting was the “shopping”. Being a small local village, there are no supermarkets, shopping centers or the like. Most produce seemed to be sold on street carts, with most of it looking extremely fresh and delicious. The fish however……Nowhere near the ocean and we didn’t see any big rivers.

The night? Well, the restaurant “buffet” wasn’t the best, but sitting in the courtyard, playing cards, drinking beverages looking at this sunset? Amazing.

The city is built on and around Lake Pichola and contains a vast number of royal palaces. If you can remember the James Bond movie, Octopussy, you will remember part of this city. Much of it was filmed in the Lake Palace (now a hotel) and in the Monsoon Palace. While we didn’t get time to visit the Monsoon Palace, we could see it on top of a mountain just out of town.

When we arrived into Udaipur it was a challenge to get to our hotel. We were stuck in traffic for quite a while and only once we got close to our hotel did we find out that a large tree had fallen, taken out a wall and brought the power lines down, right out the front of our hotel. This also meant no electricity for a few hours. It’s India, no big deal.

We initially went out to see some traditional Rajasthani dances. A short(ish) performance showcasing a range of different dances. Quite interesting.

The next morning we headed over to quite possibly one of the most amazing palaces in India, the City Palace of Udaipur. This is the largest royal palace in Rajashtan and stunningly beautiful.

Entering through the gateway in the street we came into a large courtyard, still with parking spots for elephants, now used by cars.

Like most such places it has been partly turned into a museum. The guard was rather proud of his moustache and happily posed for photos.

More pics from within the City Palace

The next day we ventured out onto the lake for a cruise. The centrepiece of Udaipur, it gives great views of all the famous sights as well as superb photo-ops.

Our boat dropped us at one of the floating hotels, so we could wander, take pics and pay exorbitant prices for drinks. The option was there for dinner but not at those prices.

Sunset came quickly with us still on the lake.

Located 80km North of Udaipur is the formidable hilltop fort of Kumbalgarh. Built during the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, this fort has some of the most impressive fortifications I’ve ever seen. Its huge walls stretch 36km and are still intact. Supposedly this makes them the 2nd longest continuous walls in the world, after China’s Great Wall.

These walls meant that during its entire history, the fort was only defeated once, by the Emperor Akbar, and that was aided by the poisoning of the water supply. Put simply, this is one of the most secure forts around.

We were in for a bit of a surprise when we arrived, as there was a French film crew filming part of a travel documentary, using a pair of old American mustangs to travel to various forts and around India. More impressive was their use of a camera mounted on a remote control helicopter. A toy that looked very difficult to use, but loads of fun.

The fort itself used to have a temple at the top of the hill. Unfortunately now the temple is just a bare shell

We spent a good few hours exploring the remains of the old fort and temple complex. Unfortunately much of it is ruins now, but still it remains highly impressive.

Within the vast 36km walls are other settlements and temples. Obviously at 36km long we couldn’t walk the whole walls, in fact we barely had time to do a few hundred meters. There was plenty to be seen in and around the main area. Numerous temples are right there, mostly allowing entry.

One of my favourite views was through the main entrance/exit doorway of the final set of defences, the entry into the main fort. It opens out and shows the vastness of Rajasthan and the defences of the fort.

And of course, how could I forget the monkeys? These cheeky buggers were hanging around the entrance, where the restaurants were. They obviously want nothing better than to steal food from tourists.

After the fort, we endured the next few hour onwards and into Udaipur, our home of the next few days, and the goal of the next post.

The day began typically. Early start, average breakfast buffet, and straight onto the bus.

First stop? Data Durry (rug) weavers in a small village just South of Jodhpur.

Here we met the most amazing character. An old guy who’d been weaving his entire life. Very friendly, very amazing, and what an amazing look. He was very proud of his life, and especially his moustache.

Actually I think this is one of my favourite (if not the favourite) picture of the whole trip.

We watched him at work, talked, photographed and then waited while he began his sales pitch. Eventually it was back onto the bus and we were on the way again.

The scenery was certainly looking different. Large plains, with mountains in the distance. Stunning looking, but not a place I’d want to live, especially in 3rd world conditions and without running water or electricity.

A further few hours down the road, after many games of cards, and ATM stop, drinks, snacks etc we finally arrived at the Jain Temples in Ranakpur.

Building started in 1439 and is built around the number of 72. 72 yards square, 1440 (72 x 20) pillars, 72 shrines, 72 inch tall statues etc etc.

A central pillar holds an inscription commanding the building of the temples.

Everything is elaborately carved, columns, ceilings, statues etc.

Some statues are rubbed for good luck and decorated with flowers and gold leaf.

Around the sides are the 72 shrines. While you can’t get to close to the statues, you can certainly see them.

Amazingly enough, the temple complex is still under construcion. Workers clambering over it building, cleaning or repairing.

Following our (too brief) stay at the temple, we headed down into and beyond the villages to our hotel. Not quite what we expected, but a stunning eco resort, consisting of large 2 floor cottages with great views out over the valley. We didn’t see any but they claim that leopards sometimes cone down to drink in the stream.

After getting acquainted with the accommodation for the night we went on a walk into the local village to have a look around. It was much more rural that any of us expected. Just a small collection of houses and a few families.

The girls seemed to be the ones who had to carry all the water from the ancient round water wells with their mechanical water lifts.

Of course, being a bunch of foreigners, the local kids flocked to us, to joke around and ask for money. Very cute.

Eventually, with the sun setting, we arrived back at the hotel for the nights entertainment. What can be better than fire, music and beer?

Previously we had been to the Meherangarh Fort, and the Jaswant Thanda. Now it was time to head into town. Being an old town our bus couldn’t fit, so we abandoned it on the outskirts and tuktuk’d it in.

We almost died only a few times in the traffic, Indian drivers have this amazing ability to know exactly what is going on around them all the time (something Korean drivers really need to learn).

Still, we arrived at a (very famous they say) textile shop. 4 or 5 floors of mountains of fabrics. They claim to have had many famous people buy from their store as well as selling lots of “overruns” of things they make for high end western fashion houses. How true is it all? No idea, but all the girls got excited and shopping commenced.

Ignoring the textiles, it was time for a brief wander into town. The old town is a maze of tiny narrow streets, bustling with all forms of commerce.

Delivery drivers are not quite the same here as back home, more of the pedal powered vareity.

Also nice to see are the locals just going about their daily business. This lady was just having a laugh with her friend in the house over the road.

Not everything was bright and cheerful. Being an ancient place, the water supply was not what we expect in a city. Many people are still serviced by pump well’s in the town squares, sending their kids down to collect water for the family whenever it is needed.

Getting late, so we headed back to the textile shop. Girls still shopping (another central theme of any Indian trip). Lucky for us the owners took us up onto the roof, gave us delicious chai and let us take sunset pictures. A perfect end to a day.

The next day is a big travel day, so back to the hotel for dinner and bed. Delicious food, shame about the 90 minute wait for it

Next, the amazing moustache, Jain temples and cute village kids.

Even better, every time you wake up expecting the train to actually move its stopped dead, waiting.

Just when you get to sleep, real nice deep sleep, the door bangs open and you hear “chai chai chai” in a loud nasal voice. Chai ? The hot sweet spiced tea that India is rightly so famous for. Perfect after a night of limited sleep.

Still, adventuring on. Our 8am arrival to Jodhpur turned into a 10am arrival, something perfectly normal and acceptable in this part of the world.

Upon arrival at our hotel, we had a quick breakfast and went out to explore in the “waiting” time we had until the next step of our tour began.

The hotel was right next door to an Army base. Walk out the door and you are confronted with :

Further up the road a great tractor that was used by locals for hauling vegetables. Many vehicles in India have chilly and lime hung from the front, in an attempt for good luck. They certainly need it seeing how crazy the driving is in India.

The first real stop in Jodhpur was the amazing Mehrangarh Fort, a 600 year old sandstone fort perched on top of a hill.

Walking in through the gates was imposing, the walls rising like a vertical cliff up into the sky. Giant gates, twisty roads and vast walls make this a fort that would have been terrifying to attack, if you could get close enough.

Just inside the main gate was a small door up some handy steps.

Continuing thought the places was amazing. You could really appreciate the wonders of India. From the canons on the roof overlooking the town

to the guards having a break up against the ancient walls

The squirrels were cute too, playing all over the walls and cannons.

After all to brief a visit to Meharangarh Fort, it was time to move on, just down the road in fact to the Jaswant Thanda. A memorial to popular local ruler Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), members of his family are also buried here.

Up close it was beautiful, made of white marble.

At a few places along the walk to the mausoleum, there were young kids playing instruments, then demanding money, the usual "hey mister, one dollar one dollar". Very cute, but also irritating.

Within the mausoleum it was wonderfully cool. Definite elements similar to the Taj Mahal, and a nice taste of what is to come.

Looking out one of the stone windows screens, down the main stairs

The itinerary states :

Day 2 Delhi
Dive into the heart of India’s capital to explore both Old and New Delhi. Visit Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid, or walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest markets.

Sounds a bit ambitious and it was. Still an amazing day out, if not frustrating.

We began at 11.30am. Why so late? Nobody knew. Most of us wanted to dive in a bit earlier than that and see as much as possible. Not to be. Looking back I believe Anna, our tour guide, wanted a sleep-in.

We Jumped on the metro and headed downtown into the Old city. Even more chaotic than Mumbai if that is at all possible. Absolutely crazy place.

Our first visit was to a large Sikh temple. We were shown around by an elder but by far the most interesting was the food hall behind the temple. Here they feed the people with food that is prepared or donated by the people. Amazing place.

The people working in the kitchen spent hours on end making chaparti breads for the people.

A young boy enjoys his lunch.

Next stop was the Jamar Masjid mosque, a short(ish) walk through the market district of Old Delhi.

An amazing blend of old world shops, transport, etc.

An amazing number of deliveries are still done by old fashioned means, in this case a modified bike loaded beyond what would be expected (not uncommon in this country).

Mentally exhausted we arrived at the Jama Masjid Mosque.

Built between1644 and 1656 by Shah Jahan, it has a fantastic view over Old Delhi, down to the red fort.

We came in a side entrance, but the royal gate is the main entrance, opening onto a large 90mx90m square.

Just to prove I was there, and because some people say there are not enough pictures of me here,

After all this, it was truly lunch time. Some of the group went back to the hotel and a restaurant near the hotel. We on the other hand headed deep into the markets to a small local place, so small that you would never consider going into it. Great food, bizarre atmosphere.

Following all of this, we headed back to the hotel for yet some more waiting, and then off to the train station for our overnight sleeper train to Jodhpur, and Day 3.

One more photo, possibly one of my favourites. An old bike that had been chained to the wall so long it had become part of the atmosphere.

Last year we had travelled for our winter vacation to Mumbai and down through Goa and Kerala. Fantastic and difficult all at the same time. Some of the best travel memories as well as some of the worst. How can any country be so split?

Anyhow, we arrived in New Delhi for our second Indian attempt. This time was a 15 day tour through Rajastan, Delhi and Agra.

Day 1 was the usual of this kind of tour. Meet the group and leader, maybe have dinner together, but no actual activities. Why this is called Day 1 and counted as part of the tour is annoying. Probably in order to make a 13 day tour sound like a 15 day tour. Oh well.

Rajastan Adventure Part 1

Rajastan Adventure Part 2

Hong Kong Quickie