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Other entries in Udaipur

A city of palaces

Well for once I actually arrived at my destination early!  But of course as sods law would have it, it was of course one of the only times I didn't want to arrive early as it meant I got to Udaipur at 5.30am with no idea of where I wanted to go or stay!!  A quick flick through the Lonely Planet and I found a cheap and decent looking guest hous.  I have to admit that I was midly terrified (if those 2 words can be put together!) to have arrived in the darkness without even knowing where I was in relation to where I was going or, for that matter, where I was going at all!  AT first a rikshaw driver appeared (for once I was relieved) but then tried to charge what seemed far too much.  After we agreed a more reasonable price he started apparently leading me to his rikshaw however there wasn't one in sight - started to get pretty worried and insisted that I was under no circumstances leaving the main circle which was reasonably busy with him.  To my relief a police man came across - turned out there was a pre-paid auto stand which ensure that I got a good driver and a reasonable price - phew!!  As soon as I got to my guest house I went to bed and got a few hours sleep before heading into the city.

I think almost as soon as I stepped into the streets I was lost.  The area was just full of small winding streets up and down steep hills - each time I tried to get back to the guest house over my stay I pretty much took 3 times as long as was necessary!

The city is beautiful.  The main area (at least that tourists visit) is set on the hills around a lake which has 2 islands in the centre each with a beautiful white palace (which are now hotels - very luxurious!).  Up on a hill overlooking the lake is the fantastic city palace.  The city also just had so many fantastic details.  There were beautiful murals everywhere and so much detail in the architecture. 

Most of my time in the city I just spent wandering.  I did visit the palace grounds - the actual palace was a museum which was absloutely heaving so I decided to give it a miss.  I also visited a building call the Bagore-Ki-Haveli.  The building and it's decoration were fantastic however the museum part was pretty dull - I did get to see the biggest turban in the world though - a moment I've been bracing myself for for a long time.....ahem....Also managed to catch a beautiful sunset over the lake from a roof top cafe. 

Oh and I have to mention a fantastic little cafe that I vistited - I had spend my second day getting rediculously lost which got a bit stressful (apparently just keeping the lake to my left didn't work - in kicks the terrible sense of direction again!) but eventually I found my way to the Queen's Cafe  It was really just like I was in the living room of the old couple who run the cafe and guest house.  It was so warm feeling all decorated rugs and with an area where you sat on cushions at on the floor with a little low table.  I sat there and had a freshly prepared curry with a pot of sweet indian chai - it was a great way to relax and spend my last meal time in Udaipur

The rikshaw ride to the bus stop was rather interesting - I just took the first rikshaw I found near my guest house as he actually gave me a decent price.  Turned out as I hadn't notice that there was no roof so I was in full view of all the staring locals - and more disturbingly the men.  One thing that really struck me at this point is how strange it is that the people seem to react more to white people in areas that are more touristy than in those which are not - you would think that they would be fairly used to it!!

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