go back
Friday, August 17, 2007
Hey people, PICS HAVE BEEN ADDED IF YOU SCROLL DOWN TO PREVIOUS POSTS!

Alright, I know this is long overdue but HEY, internet costs a BOMB in India.


If you all recall, our tales carried us through Delhi, Jaipur and Deogarh. Udaipur beckoned next, and with the majestic palaces that it promises in the pictures, I was psyched...


Especially because we are leaving Deogarh and I REALLY, after trying and trying, CANNOT get used to life in the village. But anyway, our trusty jeeps brought us back to the foot of the hill, where Big Blue awaited. And then we went on our way.


And since we were in the neighborhood of Devigarh, we made a pit stop at another beautiiiiful historical hotel where we adjourned for lunch and a quick tour. That place reminds me of an A-list celeb's rehab haven, and you will see why.






An hour later, Big Blue pulled into the city of Udaipur, where the land has never been ceded to anyone, and therefore salutes their kings as the Maharana (Great Warrior), instead of Maharajah (Great Ruler).




The Shiv Niwas Palace was to be our home for the next 6 days (read: NO UNPACKING AND PACKING FOR 6 DAYS STRAIGHT! WOOHOO!), and our rooms were supposed to look out onto the lake. I already know its beautiful...


Until the lock to our room opened and we pulled up the blinds to face the ... garden. *!*@$&^!*$* Thank god sweet Dr. Singh managed to change rooms for us, and thats how we ended up with a lake view room for the next 5 nights.


The 2nd day, after a short visit to the town, we returned to our rooms with personalized, hand delivered invitations to the Maharana's Palace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And since we are meeting royalty, everyone were decked out in their finest and off we went to the Palace. On our way, our childishness got the better of us as we kept asking 'Do we curtsy???' and burst out in fits of giggles cos it was simply too exciting!




The Palace was seriously... Ok, just imagine gold chairs, tables, crystal chandliers, stuffed tigers, THE WORKS... It is really a servant's nightmare, to have to clean and dust all of that! And then we had cocktails on the outdoor patio where the Maharana's wife, son and daughter came out and mingled with us.


Udaipur is coined the most romantic city in India, was once named 7th best city in the world, and has some of the world's best hotels. The city is considerably cleaner and had wider streets than that of Jaipur and DEFINITELY Deogarh. People looked wealthier, and the place just seemed more peaceful. Shopkeepers were still constantly hankering after our rupees, but weren't as bad as elsewhere.




One evening, someone decided that we ought to be healthier, and planned a trek up to the monsoon palace. OH MY FRICKIN GOD. All I can say is that it is in itself a medical marvel that I didn't die. We had tuk tuks bring us to the bottom of the hill where we hiked up a veryyyy steep mountain.





Udaipur is probably my favorite place we've visited in India, just because I enjoy shopping more in the narrow streets just outside the Palace. And when everything gets too crazy, just head back towards the high walls of the Shiv Niwas, where the hustle bustle is left outside the Palace gates.


It is also there where we had the most academic sessions on hotel investments in India, and the prince and princess had sessions with us as well, primarily on what we felt on our trip to India, about the heritage hotels and what are some of the things they can improve on.


Our last night in Udaipur was a very exciting one. We would be brought to the Hunting Palace, where they brought in a DJ and constructed a dance floor just for us! And then we had another surprise... SAREES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)





The night was a blast, and thus we packed up once more, this time to Amazing Thailand.


And before I leave, a parting shot of Udaipur... hold your breath






Coming up, Bangkok!

Labels: Study Abroad 2007

© 2004/2007 qian. all rights reserved.