Udaipur - Romantic Floating City 22-24 Mar

With no hugs and kisses from Robyn, we left Mumbai and headed up north to the Rajasthan State.

The terrain and landscape change significantly. We have plans to visit a number of places in Rajasthan namely Udaipur (Floating City), Jodhpur (Blue City), Jaisalmer(Golden City) and Jaipur (Pink City).

We have heard countless people says how nice Rajasthan is. With no expectations of how Rajasthan would be like, our train finally pulled into Udaipur City train station. It was quiet compared to the other train stations that we have encountered and we were greeted by a friendly auto rickshaw driver complimentary from our guest house!

As the rickshaw drove closer into the city, we felt that we have moved into a middle eastern countries like Turkey or even Greece! Udaipur looks nothing like any other India cities that we have been. Surrounded by mountains and next to Lake Pichola, the old city lies on a slope and the brick cement houses looks so romantic scattered around the slope. As the rickshaw entered through the old city gate, we seems to have transcend into the olden medieval times with narrow streets, donkey transporting goods, locals carrying stuffs on their head, shop front with alot of middle eastern goods like carpet, jewellery etc.

Our accommodation couldn't be more great! We were lucky to get a clean room with a lake view and the restaurant at our place has a great view of the whole Udaipur city. I love this place! 

Udai-pur is known as the Floating City because there are 2 palaces built on the 2 islands in the middle of the lake. It is named after Udai Singh II who founded the city(pur) and there are a few palaces built during his time. The most famous is the Lake Palace Hotel and only those staying or dining there are allowed entry. We visited the City Palace (2nd biggest palace in India after Mysore Palace that we saw) and had a great tour of the place. Took a boat trip to Jag Mandir Palace and took many picturesque photos of the other palaces from there!

Spent two lazy and romantic days in Udaipur and took a car ride to Jodhpur visiting Fort Kumbalgarh and a spectcular Jain temple at Ranakpur along the way. 

Our guest house in Udaipur

Roof top restaurant at our guest house with the lake view.

City view of Udaipur from our guest house.

Tombs for the Royal family of Udaipur. more than 300+!

Bigger and more elaborate ones for the Kings.

Meet Jeff Udai Singh. haha. Salesman tries to sell to Jeff after failing to sell to me. Telling him that it looks equally nice on man!

when two become one

apple break on a hot afternoon on the hill. Expensive China apples in India

View of mountain & 2nd biggest late in Udaipur

Rajasthani styled chicken and grounded spinach...we crave for green leafy vegs and this is the closest we could find.

Streets of Udaipur old city

Eyore working hard

Our guide for Udaipur City Palace (which is also the Winter Palace for the King)

Main entrance to the palace. Spot the golden sun that was built by the King in the past for his people during the winter season where there's no sun. The locals would come and see the sun b4 they start the day.

Majestic view of the city palace from Lake Pichola

Lake Palace (Fomerly the Summer palace for Udaipur King)

Summer and Winter palaces

Jag Mandir - Palace on the other island which was the Honeymoon Palace for the King.

Landed on the honeymoon palace..

Jeff Udai Singh on his throne

Monsoon palace on the top of the mountain

Crocs from Melaka serving our feet well.. our dry and tired feet from all the walking..

Part of the city palace where the Royal family resides now. No entry for tourist.

sunset again at the lake..

Sunset view of Lake palace

City Palace in the night..

Dinner by the lake that oversees the Lake Palace. Expensive place!!