08.00 hours Monday 12 March After a long day yesterday, today is just chill and rest around Udaipur before I leave very early tomorrow morning. I go to the travel man who booked my car and sort my train tickets for tomorrow. The first train will take from Udaipur to Chittorgarh. In the afternoon I will take another train To Bundi. Chittorgarh is 2.5 hours away and Bundi is 3 hours from Chittorgarh. With a big fort to see in Chittorgarh it will be a long day. I decide to get some stamps and my rough guide tells me there is a post office not far down the road by the lake. I wander up and down the road but cannot find the place. I bump into Ray Mears who tells me he’s been looking for ... read more

08.00 Hours Saturday 10 March After a disturbed nights sleep through barking dogs, loud music and the ultra loud call to prayer from the Jagdish temple just up the road it’s out into the streets of Udaipur . But not after a further one hour shower to remove some of the Holi colour. Then a head and face shave. It’s theCityPalacetour first after some snaps down near LakePicholaand of course a shot of The Lake Palace (of Octopussy fame). The City Palace tour is a bit hectic as the place is packed with Indians as they are still on holiday from Holi, so it is a very slow going as at every turn there are queues of what seems like 50/60 people waiting. It takes 2.5 hours to get round and as I exit the Palace ... read more

09.00 Hours Friday 09 March After the madness of yesterday it's a late breakfast and see what we can do about getting to Udiapur. I always knew that this leg had to be done by bus as there is no train south to Udiapur. I speak to boss in the Durag Niwas and he tells that there is a bus at 14.00 hours and he will look into it. He returns to tell me they are all full , everyone returning home after Holi. He will call and see if there are any cancellations. i sit and wait and drink chai. He comes back at 13.20 and says he got me a sleeper (during the day?) but who cares we are on the bus. Off I go after saying goodbye to my fellow Holi revellers. I ... read more

08.00 Wednesday 07 March After a late night to bed it's up early to check the guesthouse over. I made a good choice following on from the great arrival welcome last night, I have a big room with double bed a sheet and blanket. Doors on to a verandah and a table and some chairs. Also a large attached bathroom with plenty of hot water. I am given the usual soap , 2 big towels and toilet paper. Down to breakfast of cornflakes , eggs on toast and chai. The guesthouse is 30 minutes walk to the centre of the town (The Clock Tower). I make my way over the railway footbridge and dismiss the rick drivers on the other side and carry on walking towards town. I walk through the markets to the far side ... read more

Monday 05 March 20.00 Hours After another walking tour and watching the Jaisalmer day pass, it’s time to find some grub I treat myself to an up market meal at Nachana Haveli Nachana Haveli Heritage Hotel on the edge of town. In I tramp my rups as good as anyone else’s and take a seat up in the rooftop restaurant. I have a couple of fresh lime sodas and order the Keema Mutton Matar (Goat with peas) all mutton in India is goat. Dal Makhani (Black Gram cooked overnight and at the last minute cream & butter is added) you can get Dal Makhani at home in some Indians but not like this. Jeera rice and some papads. The rooftop is cool as the temperature drops swiftly at night and we have some traditional Rajasthani musicians ... read more