Friday, November 10, 2006

Toblerone

Well hello all again,

Im still in Udaipur- its my last day today, so im tying up a few loose ends and also packing for the bus to Jodhpur tomorrow. Since we last talked, Ive been busy as a little bee. Im chomping on a toblerone of all things - the nice cyber caff man just gave it to me because the computers were playing up! Obviously knows how to keep me happy!!

After I finished here a couple of days ago,I headed on out for an afternoons sightseeing around Udai. Firstly I went to the magnificent City Palace, which dominates the skyline here. Built by Udai Singh, the first Maharaja in this neck of the woods, this is a still very impressive building. It rises like a cream merangue out of the top of the city- and looking round it is like going back in time. Its still inhabited by the current Maharaja, so you cannot run amok, but still, its surprising and massive! Ill show you some photos once I get that bit sorted!! Beautiful!

Next was the Jag Mandir temple, which is in the centre of the tourist area. Its elephant clad steps lead up to a wonderful temple with a large central shrine and several others. I met a young man in the temple who talked me through it in a very informative way. Worth a couple of rupees. The carvings on the temple were astounding - rising about 10 metres from the ground, they were SO intricately carved - you might miss something without someone to point things out to you. Also he showed me some bells at the top, which signify the temple is a working worship place.

After that I did boring stuff and went to the mobile phone shop. Got my indian mobile sorted.

Yesterday I had a marathon day sightseeing by Autorickshaw in and out of Udaipur. The hotel booked me an ace driver for the whole day (Called Billu with a lovely rickshaw covered in Hearts!) to take me all over the city and wait for me while I was sightseeing. He spoke perfect English and knew lots of the less hassle-y less tourist-y spots about town.

First we went to a huge Jain temple where I was the only person there apart from orange clad monks..all chanting. Magic! I was even allowed to take photos (I am always hesitant mind, as I feel a bit intrusive)

Then trollied off to a cemetary for the Maharaja's and Maharini's which was filled with huge stone monuments to each person. The guide took me around and told me stories of the people there - and also showed me where they carry out the open cremations which was interesting. He also showed me a shrine for an old maharaja who is said to help childless couples - the shrine was decked with miniture cots - meant to signify the babies born because of him! Very interesting tour.

Billu whizzed me off to a puppet museum which was I must admit the low point of the day! A few halls stuffed with scary ancient puppets from all over the world, and then a very flea ridden puppet show at the end. The best bit of that was when I left, I managed to walk into a room where there was an old man making puppet faces - beautiful carving. AND...he DIDNT try and sell me anything! Like a breath of fresh air! hurray!

After that, we headed outside of the city to a formal gardens created for the ladies of the court (from the city palace) which was really bizarre I must say. The gardens were formal English type gardens with playing fountains and lots of lush greenery. In the centre there was a courtyard with a lovely big pond in it, and beyond that, was a building with a museum in it...a VERY strange museum filled with pickled snakes and strange interactive exhibitions covered in dust. The best bit was a sort of life size muscle mannequin which was half a naked lady with skin on, and half just muscles (without skin), but it looked like it was plaster and it had been dropped...so it was crumbling and looking really freaky!! I gave it a wide berth!

Next Billu whizzed me out of the city to one of the most peaceful places I have been yet - Tiger lake. A beautiful unspoilt expanse of a natural lake, where Tigers are said to come to drink...well maybe...! It was wonderful - we sat on the edge and chilled for a bit. Billu told me about his family and his (arranged) marriage. He is a good man!

After that I got taken to a CULTURE village, which has been set up by Rajisthan tourism to show us idiotic tourists what houses are like in the real world. There are traditionally built houses from several states of Rajisthan, and displays of traditional crafts and things. The Idea is laudable - a sort of ethinographic museum - but unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a lame duck. Not helped by the fact that the guy showing me around STUNK of booze and kept stumbling about...also decided to read my palm and my forehead (!) - apparently Im going to get lucky in 2007 and earn/mke LOADS of money......Better start playing the lottery. Then I was trollied past a MILLION craft producers, who were genuinely making the goods in front of you, and also MUCH cheaper than in town - but it took nerves of steel to get away!!

After a rest in a caff We headed up to the famous Monsoon Palace- which is at the top of the highest peak around Udai. for the sunset. The palace itself is surrounded by a wildlife national park area which is said to have 6 resident leopards. Billu said he has seen 2 lots here, but today I was unlucky! The Palace is crumbling, but the views were stupendous! I watched the sunset and wondered as hundreds of swifts got all overexcited at sundown - I think the insects must have been going up - but the view and the noise! Wonderful!

Today is Grans funeral back in blighty, so I have started my day a little later. I plan to go on a sunset boat cruise at 5pm and think about her out there on the lake. I think she would like that. It roughly co-ordinates with the time in the UK at the time of the service.

Talk to you again soon....

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