City Palace at Udaipur

The photography permit at the City Palace is quite expensive so we elected Johanna to take the photos and we shared the cost. I copied them from her later in the day.

We hired a guide to show us around which was ok but he did hurry us through a bit so that he would have time to find another customer after us. The others who went separately from us said the audio guide was adequate.

The Palace is so large that your senses are overwhelmed. These Indian palaces and forts make the typical European palace seem rather small and spartan. So just let the photos wash over you and don't worry if you have no idea what the subject is. I probably don't remember all the details.

One of the more influential rulers.

Note how the horse has been given a fake elephant's nose to confuse the enemy.

Battle scene.

Somehow they got hold of these glasses.

This huge tub would be filled with silver which was then distributed to the people. The rulers must have been incredibly wealthy compared to the poor.

Most of the tourists were Indian.

Although we had climbed several flights of steps to get to this courtyard, it is actual ground that the trees are growing in. It is the top of a hill. 

View to nearby Hindu temple.

A room with large blocks of coloured glass as windows.

The craftmanship in this dazzling  room is incredible. I seem to remember that it was used as a bedroom. I doubt I would want to sleep in such a room.

Looking down to the entrance to the Palace.

The Lake Palace. There was cross ventilation from this window to a window on the other side of the room and it was delightful.

It was all meant to dazzle and impress and it worked.

One of the more recent rulers had an accident while riding a horse and was confined to a wheel chair.

You read about rulers who distributed their weight in silver and it happened here. Apparently the ruler often fasted for a week before the ceremony.

A courtyard lined with peacocks.

Cooking utensils. Notice the grinding stone at the right, just like the one at the rural village we visited.

Reception area for dignitaries.

The horse was a really important part of battles in India and a brave horse was revered.

These toys are incredible. I wondered if the child was actually allowed to play with them.

Those were Johanna's photos. We then went to the gardens and my camera was unleashed.

While Alejandro and Anna had something to eat, Johanna and I continued to walk in the gardens.

Quite shady and very pleasant by the lake. Much quieter as well away from the busy city streets.

I walked over the bridge the next day on the way to the Monsoon Palace.

Grass seems to be quite rare in India and it was beautiful to walk on.

A troupe of horsemen passed by.

The elephant is the symbol of power.

That night we went to another rooftop restaurant and it is just wonderful sitting up there in the cool, looking at the water and lights and enjoying the delicious food. We met our cooking instructor who owns the restaurant. I had a lamb shaslik that was so tender and flavourful. It's not really Indian but the restaurant specializes in meat cooked over coals and it was a change from curry.