Raj-era

For part three of the golden triangle we arrived under cover of darkness and awoke the next morning to heat but no rain! A great start, we thought, as we headed towards the old (or pink, but it was actually red) walled city, Gremelin enticed by the prospect of hours and hours of shopping in the local bazaars.













We picked our way through the backstreets of Jaipur’s old quarter as the afternoon heated up and visited the intricately decorated City Palace, and the almost Gaudi-esque Hawa Mahal but only realised our true reason for visiting Jaipur when we stumbled upon this…



I mean I knew I was famous, but my own festival?!

I was firmly brought back down to earth back via the medium of intense shopping - I don’t think I’ll ever see so many shoes, bangles or so much silver jewellery in one afternoon again, or at least I hope not.



The antidote? A visit to the completely unexpected but charmingly kitsch revolving restaurant of Jaipur. We arrived on the 14th floor at the circular dining area admiring the stupendous views of the city and surrounding landscape but were disappointed to note the world was not in fact spinning as hoped. We sat down to a great meal and all of sudden there was a grinding noise and the floor started moving – my first rotating culinary experience!

The less famous Rajashtani city of Udaipur was a welcome relief from the fascinating but exasperatingly hectic state capital and we got away from the over friendly insects!



The centrepiece of the city is Lake Pichola around which are dotted ghats, havelis, temples and another City Palace. Feeling decidedly less stressed it was great to be able to wander around the winding backstreets without feeling hassled at every turn.





With captivating stark white architecture at every turn and a lavish hotel island poised in the middle of the lake, this city is truly serene and charming and deserves its title as Rajashtan’s most romantic city.











We even learnt how the members of the local legal profession travel around in Udaipur – no BMWs or Mercedes for these members of the Indian Bar!



After a refreshing few days we head south to the cosmopolitan chaos that will be Mumbai.