Udaipur: The Lake Palace

9/12/09 to 9/15/09

I don't necessarily consider myself a "world traveller" (yet), especially after having met dozens of backpackers who've spent years jumping from one continent to the next, stopping occasionally to work or volunteer. I would like nothing more than to take off for a year or so to follow in their footsteps, but alas, I have to be satisfied with what I've been able to do thus far. But to the point; of all my travels, of all the cities I've been, Udaipur might be the most scenic. As if it were the setting of a Bond film (and is was...see Octopussy), Udaipur's Lake Palace mysteriously rises out of the middle of Lake Pichola, surrounded by mountainous terrain, royal palaces, bathing ghats and the sounds of tabla-driven Rajasthani music. [Certainly pictures will never do justice to what can be experienced in person-and though somewhat artistic, photography has somehow been bereft of me-I will add pictures when I have access to a faster Internet connection]. Udaipur served as a place for me to kick back a little. Not that I didn't enjoy the conversations with my new friends Mangu and Apoorv-owners the Lotus Cafe I frequented-or the majestic scenery, friendly citizens and somewhat cooler temperatures but I didn't experience much to write home about with regard to Indian culture. Just a good ending to what turned out to be a great experience in the state of Rajasthan. Besides...my next stop, Amritsar, would provide all the cultural stimuli I could want in a given day.



A bit of (possible) foreshadowing: At my hotel, I met two Swiss gents who've been motorcycling across India on their British-designed Royal Enfield motorcycles. In researching India prior to my arrival here, I had read about others who had undertaken the same adventure; purchasing the used bikes in Delhi, then reselling them to other tourists when their journey had been completed. Though initially interested, I had dismissed the option due to the lengthy process of acquiring and registering a newly purchased bike. My discussions with the Swisses have resurrected my desire to see India from the saddle of a vintage motorcycle, and my next stop, Manali, coincidentally is a hub for re-selling tourist-ridden Royal Enfields. Add to this that the route from Manali to Leh (in the Himalayas) is said to be one of the most scenic in the world; evident by it's UNESCO World Heritage distinction. What do you think? Let me know by voting at the bottom of this page. I look forward to the (ultimately irrelevant) results!