Udaipur: City of Palaces, Lakes and "One Photo Please": Photos 42 to 63

The massive crumbling city walls a minute's rickshaw ride from the train station foretold of a once-mighty city called Mewar. Maharaja Udai Singh II, expanded Mewar and renamed it Udaipur. As the rickshaw weaved between a steady flow of traffic we sensed a building excitement for this, as far as the eyes could see, was Rajasthan, a state like no other in India. Come on now, say it: 'Rajasthan'. Let the 'R' roll off your tongue and feel the vibration of thousands of raging Rajput warriors, the gold standard of bravery and chivalry; feel the earth shake with the thunder of rampaging war elephants; visit forts and palaces so grand, detailed and decorated that it seems impossible that they were constructed with 16th century technology.

Lake Pichola divided the city into two main sections. Our hotel, Dream Heaven Guest House, sat almost on water's edge on the Hanuman Ghat side, the quieter of the two sides. Our window opened to a partial view on picturesque Pichola, the spire of a temple and a family of monkeys. From the roof-garden of the hotel we overlooked Udaipur in the light of an early morning.

Off to the right and smack in

Full Text Entry: Udaipur: City of Palaces, Lakes and "One Photo Please"

Shan & Vibes, on reading this blog and viewing these beautifully expressive photos, I felt as though I had been holding my breath, waiting to exhale, since your Singapore fiasco. May I say that, to me, Udaipur has taken my breath away as it obviously did yours! It seems to have put the spark back in your narrative, the smiles back on your faces and I could once more sense your "joie de vivre" in your "Happy, happy, joy, joy" photo. WELCOME BACK! Umm.... your appetites seem to have increased as well? :-)) Watch the weight! May you continue to be blessed as you travel on with Love, Light & Peace.

What's up Shanna & Vibert?? Hope all is well. just wanted to finally sound off and let you know that I am tremendously entertained and thrilled by your adventures, and mesmerized by your photos. I have been reading, and have other people hooked on your blog. Shanna your story telling has seriously become amazing and quite captivating. I commend you both for doing this; especially your trip through India. I was worried how you would fare through it's brutalities, but you have managed to make friends in every city and find beauty in the roughest of places. Keep it up!!! Also, believe it or not I am currently in India as well. I am in Pune at the moment. I will be leaving for Bombay on Sunday for my cousins wedding celebrations on the 25th and 26th. on the 29th i will be flying back to SXM. In case you have not attended enough weddings in India, I invite you to be my guests at this one. It would be great to meet up with you here and catch up with you both in person., let me know. I am looking forward to you playing Holi tomorrow and the pics you will have from it where ever in india you are now! take care and god speed!

Beautiful photos, touching words, and inspiring Udaipur. Really a wonderfully captivating blog all around. Wish you well in your travels!

My wife Donna and I, are living our dream vicariously through you two until we can put things in place to enjoy the world for ourselves. So Happy travels and keep the accounts coming. We look forward to the next installment!

I love your photos and the story behind them. It was very interesting and entertaining! I hope to visit there in August '08.

Hey youtwo, this was a happy part of India for both of you and from the amount you ate I am very sure that you gained some weight. Shanna looked very Indian in her sari, was that you next to her in an Indian outfit? She looked cute and you looked dashing. Thanks for the trip to Udaiphur. I am printing out some of the pictures that i enjoyed very much.

Very beautiful, love the different colors of the saris. I'm glad to see you both enjoying it.

Hey Guys, See that you r' doing great in this part of India. Shanna u look fabulous in the Sari. At least u have one and I don't.Much less haven't wore any since 27 years ago.......I missed out on Viberts costume. Keep on having fun and smile. May God bless u all. Love from Giesla, Sky & Christina.

Its really quite something reading your blog as an Indian You guys seemed spontaneous and thus I guess had such a god time here. Loved your whole experience of a indian wedding.

I love rajisthan. mujhe jaipur, udaipur bahut pasand or k people very nice.

Shan & Vibes, on reading this blog and viewing these beautifully expressive photos, I felt as though I had been holding my breath, waiting to exhale, since your Singapore fiasco. May I say that, to me, Udaipur has taken my breath away as it obviously did yours! It seems to have put the spark back in your narrative, the smiles back on your faces and I could once more sense your "joie de vivre" in your "Happy, happy, joy, joy" photo. WELCOME BACK! Umm.... your appetites seem to have increased as well? :-)) Watch the weight! May you continue to be blessed as you travel on with Love, Light & Peace.

What's up Shanna & Vibert?? Hope all is well. just wanted to finally sound off and let you know that I am tremendously entertained and thrilled by your adventures, and mesmerized by your photos. I have been reading, and have other people hooked on your blog. Shanna your story telling has seriously become amazing and quite captivating. I commend you both for doing this; especially your trip through India. I was worried how you would fare through it's brutalities, but you have managed to make friends in every city and find beauty in the roughest of places. Keep it up!!! Also, believe it or not I am currently in India as well. I am in Pune at the moment. I will be leaving for Bombay on Sunday for my cousins wedding celebrations on the 25th and 26th. on the 29th i will be flying back to SXM. In case you have not attended enough weddings in India, I invite you to be my guests at this one. It would be great to meet up with you here and catch up with you both in person., let me know. I am looking forward to you playing Holi tomorrow and the pics you will have from it where ever in india you are now! take care and god speed!

Beautiful photos, touching words, and inspiring Udaipur. Really a wonderfully captivating blog all around. Wish you well in your travels!

My wife Donna and I, are living our dream vicariously through you two until we can put things in place to enjoy the world for ourselves. So Happy travels and keep the accounts coming. We look forward to the next installment!

I love your photos and the story behind them. It was very interesting and entertaining! I hope to visit there in August '08.

Hey youtwo, this was a happy part of India for both of you and from the amount you ate I am very sure that you gained some weight. Shanna looked very Indian in her sari, was that you next to her in an Indian outfit? She looked cute and you looked dashing. Thanks for the trip to Udaiphur. I am printing out some of the pictures that i enjoyed very much.

Very beautiful, love the different colors of the saris. I'm glad to see you both enjoying it.

Hey Guys, See that you r' doing great in this part of India. Shanna u look fabulous in the Sari. At least u have one and I don't.Much less haven't wore any since 27 years ago.......I missed out on Viberts costume. Keep on having fun and smile. May God bless u all. Love from Giesla, Sky & Christina.

Its really quite something reading your blog as an Indian You guys seemed spontaneous and thus I guess had such a god time here. Loved your whole experience of a indian wedding.

I love rajisthan. mujhe jaipur, udaipur bahut pasand or k people very nice.