Saheli Palace Hotel Udaipur

(view all the photos on Facebook)

It can be difficult to imagine how the great kings or Maharanas of Indian history lived in their grand palaces and vast kingdoms. However, after a visit to Udaipur in the western state of Rajasthan, I think I'm starting to get a hint of the lifestyle. However, our arrival in Udaipur did not adequately prepare us for the upcoming adventure. Although the local airport is very modern, the 30 ...

... about the fiercely independent spirit of the Sisodias. The mascot of this fantasy Mewar is one of Udai Singh’s sons, Pratap Singh, better known as Maharana Pratap, the lone Rajput ruler to resist Akbar’s forces for any length of time. Pratap was on the verge of defeating the Mughal army at Haldighati and had to leave the scene due ...

... charmed me. I was so excited about walking around and seeing all the nooks and crannies. Leah tells me that most old towns and cities are set up in the same manner, but this is new to me since I live in a newer part of one of the largest, most developed cities in India. During our brief 24 hour stay in the city, we did a lot of shopping (taking advantage of the tourist markets not available in Ahmedabad) and visited the City Palace and it's adjacent museum.

Finally, we made it! And just think, we've been here for more than a week. While this is my second time to India, it's no less vivid, polluted or wonderful than the last time. The context is different too. For six weeks, I'll be working with five other UNC students as we create a film on the Caste Panchayat system in Udaipur, India. We are working as interns through a NGO called Seva Mandir. The non-profit is huge in Rajasthan and has projects which ...

... the palace would've looked like in its hayday. It must've been simply fantastic. The King and Queen still live on the premises...but at a different, more luxurious wing of the palace that is not open to the general public. The last time the Queen and King lived in that part of the palace was 1973. The king also lost his title of 'Maharana' and any ruling powers he had. India is ruled by the Prime Minister. They used to get pension money from the government...but Indira Ghandi put a stop ...

... we did (bow-chicka-bow-wow). The city is very nice, and from one of the many rooftops you can see why it has been dubbed the Venice of the east. Close up it is still India, but a cleaner and more touristy version. We grabbed a rickshaw and said goodbye to our friend Sam from Vancouver, as we'll be a step ahead of him for the rest of our trip. Taj Mahal here we come!!

... back, you found that the oxen were turning a wheel which had a pulley system which had a series of water receptacles attached to it, as the oxen turned the wheel each receptacle would be filled with water and pulled to the top where it would pour into a trough from which the ladies would retrieve water for washing drinking and irrigating the surrounding fieds (see pictures), unfortunately for them though the 40ft deep pit which should have been filled with ...

... characteristic of the other places we have visited. I am so pleased that we ended our little tour of Rajesthan here, as it's brought the intensity down somewhat, and has made for a more relaxed atmosphere. But we cannot rest on our laurels for too long as tomorrow brings another journey - this time a flight from Udaipur to Delhi, where Ted begins to wind up his trip and head home, and I prepare for further solo journeying.....

... the setting. It looks so majestic, romantic with amazing arhitecture and visually near perfect; with it whitewalls, red flowers, green bushy trees against a spectrum of blue from the lake to the sky. I was in awe of the place. I was just starting to imagine blowing a few thousand pounds to stay somewhere as appealing as this, eating ferrero rochers, but no longer than I started thinking about it I turn the corner are my romantic visions were quashed ...

... 3 euro a night for rooms so far, I had to spend days persuading myself that I could justify an excessive 36 euro for one night! But I finally talked myself into it and am luxuriating in a large double room with aircon, a bath, a jacuzzi, a hairdryer (palpitations at the prospect!)and ...wait for it...toilet paper!!!!!! All decorated in gorgeous local style, with antique furniture among the leafy verandahs and there's even a rooftop pool ...