Day 18 – Amazon Gets Folksy

OK, so we are safely home, but owe you closure on this adventure.  More twists and turns to come!  I will publish the remainindays as soon as I've made them up.

We were afforded a relatively late start in the morning owing to our proximity to Udaipur and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the inside dining room (outside was still wet from the overnight rain).  This room has been beautifully restored in a blue motif.  The original marble having been cleaned to remove many layers of lime wash from the past.  The meal was a combination Indian/western fusion, put the hit of the meal was clearly the Poha dish of rice flakes, lightly spiced that made a big impression on Amazon.  During this, both the owner and his wife dropped by to wish us well and Amazon took advantage prying the Poha recipe out of Madame and complimenting the owner on his fine taste and obvious work of passion.

Having provided her full approval of their labour of love, we took our leave, packed up and checked out.  Ajay was waiting as planned and we set out for the 2 hour drive to Udaipur.  He drove us directly to the Fateh Garh hotel perched on a hill overlooking Lake Pichola and the town and palace.  We settled in to the beautiful surroundings and Amazon did her usual exploration.  I stayed back to prepare us for the consumption of some beer that Ajay had thoughtfully suggested we purchase at an outlet in town.  He knew a few things by now:

1.       I like beer.

2.       Beer in our hotels was relatively expensive.

3.       Saturday was to be a national holiday and by decree, a dry day everywhere.

In the evening we went to a local cultural folk show including traditional dance, puppetry and a 74 year old woman who performed various dances while balancing 3, then 6, then 9 and then 12 pots on her head.  Sort of like Amazon when she’s had too much at a party in Canmore, except nothing broke.

Following our return to the hotel, we had dinner in the enclosed glass restaurant, enjoying another local curry (non veg) each sharing each other’s choice.  Fireworks across the city exposed the fact that wedding season was alive and well in Udaipur with at least 6 celebrations underway (that we could see).  Following this we toddled off to bed.

 Giant Shiva Statue Under Construction

 View of Palace and Lake Pichola from Our Hotel (not a beer store in sight)

Our Hotel