India - Day 11 - Udaipur
Our real sight seeing day arouond Udaipur. Arrive at just after 9 am at the City Palace hoping to beat the crowds and also get our share of sites in. "Guide. You want guide madam? Very big palace. It's best you have guide." "How much?" "I'm not doing it for the money madam. Whatever your heart tells you." "About how much would do you think my heart should spend?" As you like, madam.......maybe Rs 250........350........or even 1000.We headed into the palace by ourselves, but somehow an elderly gentleman had managed to attach himself to Anton and we had ourselves a guide.
The palace was amazing with incredible rooms decorated with mirrors, Chinese & Dutch tiles and beautiful lattice stained glass windows.
Unfortunately, Ben, Janelle & Anton had caught Sari's flu from the previous night ,but all struggled through the austere surroundings bravely. We also had a ticket for drinks with a crystal touch. This included a meander through the crystal gallery. Some maharaja had a fascination for crystal and ordered a whole collection of it from overseas. It included crystal glasses and plates as well as beds, sofas, fans, and even a crystal water spinkler. Unfotunately he never enjoyed his fetish as he died before the goods arrived. The drink was down in the durbar hall (a reception hall for functions and to hear official petitions). Yes it was served in crystal glasses.There was also a drink with a vintage touch which Ben-ji got quite excited about. Drinks were served whilst being shown an array of vintage vehicles including the Rolls in Octopussy. The girls' favourite car was the red one. To top the evening off we had to go to the highest restaurant in the city boasting a rooftop view and join in the city's Octopussy craze which they play every night. Actually most restaurants in Udaipur seem to be on rooftops and play Octopussy. Octopussy galore. To spoil ourselves we ordered dessert. A round of ice cream. A waiter had to run down to the shop to buy them. After climbing back up the 10 flights of stairs the chap wasn't too happy to find out that Janelle changed her mind and wanted ice cream too. Back down the stairs he slumped.
