We woke up to a gloomy morning. My tummy was hurting a little, but it stopped after an hour or so. I was lucky that I didn't have any other stomach issues on the trip. I assumed that with the change in diet I would be sick at some point, but I was surprisingly adaptable. Because of the rain from the night before, yoga was cancelled, so we ate breakfast and left for Udaipur.
Udaipur is called both "the City of Lakes" and "the Venice of the East". It seems like a big tourist area, especially with the European set. It was a very picturesque and romantic town, and a great last stop for our tour. Udaipur is also Singhji's home, so he was happy to be back. We stayed at Lake Pichola Hotel, directly on the banks of Lake Pichola. The owner is actually the aunt of Sudarshna, the Raja's niece from Bhadrajun. It was a stunning hotel with a large porch, an amazing rooftop area, and private balconies off our lake-facing rooms. We were living like royalty again.
For lunch, we went to the Lal Bagh Restaurant. Underneath mushroom umbrellas, we enjoyed a delicious meal of kofta balls and other dishes. Some people hit up the "Wino Bar". In India, most varieties of alcohol are lumped under the name "wine". So, instead of liquor stores, they have wine shops and "wino bars".
Our next stop on the itinerary was the Royal City Palace of Udaipur. It was incredible! It was full of exquisite details and colors, rich materials and even some Anthropologie-esque areas. It is actually a series of palaces built by different kings over the centuries, and the first palace was built in the year 1559. At this point, we were all a little tired of listening to tour guides, even though it was really cool to see all of these historical places. But, regardless, I don't think many of us really paid attention. We just wandered around, soaking it all in.
Leaving the City Palace, we walked back through Udaipur to the hotel. From here we got to go on a boat tour around the city. The lake breeze and the weather were perfect for a ride on the water. The cute orange-shirted boy - an Indian Joey Lawrence according to Landin - came with us to be our tour guide. He filled us in on some romantic ancient history of Udaipur and showed us several different spots where they filmed Octopussy, the James Bond film.
When we got back to the hotel, we had a little time to relax before the group took tuk tuks [crazy little taxis] to one of Singhji's family member's homes, where we were going to have a vegan cooking class!
After being welcomed into their home, we took a quick nighttime walk to the local bazaar to pick up some herbs for our meal. As it was getting late, there weren't many vendors left at the market, but we still got to travel through the winding streets, and see some of Udaipur by night. The market was near a mosque, where a man on a loudspeaker was rambling on and on. It was the Prophet's birthday, so there were big Muslim celebrations going on while we were there.
Singhji's family was kind enough to instruct and supervise our attempt at preparing what ended up being a pretty decent meal. Landin got a little chili-powder-happy at our table, which made the chana masala too SPICY. In his defense, we had some confusion with the measurements we were given. But it was definitely a fun learning experience, plus we were given recipe cards so we could remember how to make all the yummy dishes. I made a Google doc of the recipes for those of you who are interested in them.
a tree full of bats on the way to udaipur [jennifer turner]
so creepy but cute [jonathan dipratna]
i'm not quite sure what this is advertising... [jonathan dipratna]
Udaipur is called both "the City of Lakes" and "the Venice of the East". It seems like a big tourist area, especially with the European set. It was a very picturesque and romantic town, and a great last stop for our tour. Udaipur is also Singhji's home, so he was happy to be back. We stayed at Lake Pichola Hotel, directly on the banks of Lake Pichola. The owner is actually the aunt of Sudarshna, the Raja's niece from Bhadrajun. It was a stunning hotel with a large porch, an amazing rooftop area, and private balconies off our lake-facing rooms. We were living like royalty again.
entrance to lake pichola hotel [jonathan dipratna]
lobby [jennifer turner]
view from the porch [joel kraut]
another view from the porch [joel kraut]
self-portrait on the lake
hallway to the rooms [jonathan dipratna]
one of the rooms [jennifer turner]
view from the balcony [jennifer turner]
the other balconies [jonathan dipratna]
the hotel rooftop [jonathan dipratna]
udaipur from the hotel roof [jonathan dipratna]
lake pichola hotel from the lake [jonathan dipratna]
For lunch, we went to the Lal Bagh Restaurant. Underneath mushroom umbrellas, we enjoyed a delicious meal of kofta balls and other dishes. Some people hit up the "Wino Bar". In India, most varieties of alcohol are lumped under the name "wine". So, instead of liquor stores, they have wine shops and "wino bars".
the gate to lal bagh [jonathan dipratna]
half of the group at lunch [colleen holland]
the other half of the group at lunch [colleen holland]
kofta balls! [colleen holland]
singhji & his kingfisher [jonathan dipratna]
under the mushroom umbrellas [jennifer turner]
winos only please [jonathan dipratna]
Our next stop on the itinerary was the Royal City Palace of Udaipur. It was incredible! It was full of exquisite details and colors, rich materials and even some Anthropologie-esque areas. It is actually a series of palaces built by different kings over the centuries, and the first palace was built in the year 1559. At this point, we were all a little tired of listening to tour guides, even though it was really cool to see all of these historical places. But, regardless, I don't think many of us really paid attention. We just wandered around, soaking it all in.
the outside of the palace [jennifer turner]
metallic zigzags [jennifer turner]
such a beautiful photo of johanne [jonathan dipratna]
primary colors [jonathan dipratna]
dancing courtyard [joel kraut]
my future bedroom [joel kraut]
anthropologie? [joel kraut]
chandelier similar to my mother's [joel kraut]
hogwarts owlery? [joel kraut]
old carrier pigeon cages [joel kraut]
me, peering through the stained glass [joel kraut]
view of udaipur from the palace [jonathan dipratna]
so much detail [jennifer turner]
ganesh & guard [jonathan dipratna]
skateboarding elephant [joel kraut]
twinsies [michael lu]
trapped behind the gate [jennifer turner]
Leaving the City Palace, we walked back through Udaipur to the hotel. From here we got to go on a boat tour around the city. The lake breeze and the weather were perfect for a ride on the water. The cute orange-shirted boy - an Indian Joey Lawrence according to Landin - came with us to be our tour guide. He filled us in on some romantic ancient history of Udaipur and showed us several different spots where they filmed Octopussy, the James Bond film.
look at the nerds in the life vests [jennifer turner]
and the people who are too cool for boat safety [jonathan dipratna]
beautiful hotel [jennifer turner]
wish i remembered what this was [jennifer turner]
laura & darlene pose for a mother/daughter pic [joel kraut]
i'm on a boat [colleen holland]
watching the sunset from the boat [joel kraut]
When we got back to the hotel, we had a little time to relax before the group took tuk tuks [crazy little taxis] to one of Singhji's family member's homes, where we were going to have a vegan cooking class!
challo! "let's go!" [jennifer turner]
me & lanji [blair stirek]
amandy, rik & joel [jennifer turner]
lisa, terry & jennifer [jennifer turner]
joel, laura & amandy [colleen holland]
being greeted [jonathan dipratna]
namaste! [blair stirek]
After being welcomed into their home, we took a quick nighttime walk to the local bazaar to pick up some herbs for our meal. As it was getting late, there weren't many vendors left at the market, but we still got to travel through the winding streets, and see some of Udaipur by night. The market was near a mosque, where a man on a loudspeaker was rambling on and on. It was the Prophet's birthday, so there were big Muslim celebrations going on while we were there.
landin buying some tasty snack mix [colleen holland]
some of the decorations for the prophet's birthday [jonathan dipratna]
so many twinkle lights [jonathan dipratna]
this feisty lady was hitting people with that stick [colleen holland]
chilis [colleen holland]
various beans & legumes [jennifer turner]
laura with some of the mint we bought for our mint chutney [colleen holland]
udaipur boys [blair stirek]
Singhji's family was kind enough to instruct and supervise our attempt at preparing what ended up being a pretty decent meal. Landin got a little chili-powder-happy at our table, which made the chana masala too SPICY. In his defense, we had some confusion with the measurements we were given. But it was definitely a fun learning experience, plus we were given recipe cards so we could remember how to make all the yummy dishes. I made a Google doc of the recipes for those of you who are interested in them.
plucking mint leaves [jennifer turner]
chopping okra [jennifer turner]
the group with our chefs [jennifer turner]
our spices [colleen holland]
i think i'm reprimanding landin here [jennifer turner]
making chana masala [jennifer turner]
blair making bhindi masala [colleen holland]
bhindi with chili powder [colleen holland]
sandy looks like a pro [jennifer turner]
the dal [colleen holland]
singhji chillaxin [colleen holland]
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