North India - Day 3: Udaipur

I bought train sleeper seat tickets beforehand online and had assigned seats but they weren’t confirmed. When we got to Nizamuddin Station (one of three railway stations in Delhi), we had to first look for our train class and then search for our names on pieces of paper pasted on entrance of each car.

The whole ride took 13 hours but with a little help from Dramamine, we slept through most of it.


Not too big of a deal but baby roaches were crawling all over and one ended in our curd.


Triple deck.

13 Hours later.


The weather was perfect at Udaipur City.


A living proof that skinny people can be strong.


View from Hotel Wonderview rooftop.

Jagdish Temple





We had to pay them Rs10 each for this picture.

City Palace
Each room, courtyard and tower had different themes and colors and each one equally beautiful. City Palace is supposedly the largest palace in Rajasthan. Just when you thought you are down to the last tower, you have 5 more to go.









This room is filled with mirrors. Joe thought it was kinda kinky.

Lake Palace
A long time ago, a Maharaja decided to build a palace on Jagniwas island.

The palace has since been turned into a luxury hotel and non-guests can only go for lunch or dinner, which we couldn't afford so we took a boat to Jagmandir Island (another palace on the same lake) to have overpriced masala chai instead.


Jagmandir Palace

Sajjan Garh (Monsoon Palace)
We hired an auto-rickshaw to take us to the top of a distant mountain to watch sunset from the Monsoon Palace.




Shopping: Lal Ghat. I had linen pants made to fit for a whopping Rs250 (US$6). The tailor/shop owner was even going to deliver it to our hotel.






Food: Taj Restaurant and Whistling Teal - again, not a big deal (or at least Mervyn thought it wasn’t a big deal). Only had I finished the last slice of mughal pizza, he then said he found a dead baby roach on stuck on his slice. Yummy.

Hotel: Hotel Wonderview. Right outside our room was a balcony that has a view of the City Palace.



If I had to re-plan this trip all over, I would spend more time here. I have decided that Udaipur is my favorite city amongst the other 4 because the climate is comfortable, the city is colorful, not too smelly or too crowded and the people here are warm and friendly, a total contrast from Delhi.

More Udaipur pictures

North India - Day 4: Chittogargh & Ranakpur

We left Udaipur and back-tracked to Chittogargh, which everyone thought was a waste of time but I think it was worth the trip.

CHITTOGARGH


Rana Kumbha Palace


Rana Kumbha Palace



Singa Chowri Temple


Singa Chowri Temple


Singa Chowri Temple


Jaya Stambha Tower


Gaumukh Reservoir


This lady came to us and put some red powder on our forehead and insisted we pay her Rs10 for her blessings. I told her in return, I’d make her a little popular by taking this picture.

Padmini’s Palace

First, these people cornered us and insisted we take a photo of them with our camera.


And then this group of men cornered us and refused to let us go until we girls take a picture with each of them... one by one.


Here’s my most favorite photo of the trip.

RANAKPUR


Ranakpur is about 6 hours away. On our way, we passed hundreds of people walking on the road and Bhavan, our driver explains that they would walk for 20+ days (500km) to get from their village to a temple in Jodhpur to show dedication to God.


Here’s my most favorite temple - Chaumujha Mandir, a temple made of carved white marble has 1444 pillars and no two alike.

More pictures

North India - Day 2: Mervyn joined us at Delhi

While waiting for Mervyn's arrival, Nan, Joe and I went to Lakshimi Narayan Temple. I wasn’t too impressed and won’t recommend it unless you have absolutely nothing to do in Delhi. Then to Cannaught Palace; not too exciting around there either.


When Mervyn arrived, we went to Jama Masjid.


Inside Jama Masjid.


Shoes were not allowed and girls have to put on these hideous shawls even though we had sleeves while the guys had to cover their calves.


It's quite normal for a foreigner to be stared at but somehow being stared at in here felt a wee bit uncomfortable.


We drove by Chandni Chowk after that but got overwhelmed by the crowd so we left right after our auto-rickshaw driver had a sip of water.


Next stop is Humayun’s Tomb. This is a World Heritage monument and is a bit of a distance from Old Delhi but it was worth the trip. According to LP, the impressive architecture and the beautiful surrounding gardens were to be refined over the years to create Taj Mahal.








Inside


Why is my outfit so uncoordinated, you asked? I forgot to bring a belt and my linen pants were falling off so I had to put on a neutral bottom and this was my only option.

More pictures of Delhi