Udaipur-BFF

Here we say good bye to our friends from Beijing who met up with us in New Delhi on a 9 day journey to North India. It was a trip of a life time and we are so glad to share it with Matt, Ellen, Chloe and Luke. Amazingly with the long journeys and endless visits to forts, palaces and shopping, Matt managed to get the kids into the pool almost on a daily basis so they don't tire out or dry up! The safari trip in Ranthambore really broke up the trip and added so much more relaxation and fun.

Emily and Chloe

Both Emily and Chloe in their fansy saris. The girls look beautiful and so "grown up"!

Emily in her first sari

Here's Emily in her first Sari. I used one pin to keep it together.

Udaipur

Last picture of the fort

I told Emily to smile and this would be the last picture!

Palace window

This was fully restored. It was just beautiful - the designs were wonderful and has lasted 500 years or more!

Udaipur palace

This was on top of the palace looking into the square.

Land Palace

This was inside the palace.

Ajit Bhawan

We stayed in this beautiful heritage hotel which used to be a palace. It belongs to the widow of the current Maharaja's uncle's family. The pool was wonderful and they had free wireless internet and western breakfast. The service was superb!

Lake Cruise

We took a lake cruise to check out the Lake Palace and then walked to the land palace.

The new Ganesh

This is the modern day Ganesh!

Lake Palace

This is where the King of Udaipur and his family would spend their summer holidays!

Laundry time

No bounce here for sure - the women, children and men wash their clothes and some take their showers here!

Lake Palace in Udaipur

The people of Udaipur love their Maharana - they call them Maharana rather than Maharaja. He lives in the palace (half turned into a hotel) and created several foundations to help the people of Udaipur. The modern day king also knows my new friends Vikram and Geetajali of Bangalore as they went hunting together!

Udaipur

We shopped until we dropped at Udaipur. The girls re wearing the new skirts and purses we bought. Everyone bought saris, scarves, shirts, bags,..etc It was very fun.

Udaipur

After such a long bus ride from Jaipur to Jodhpur, we decided to fly to Udaipur. We almost skipped this palace if we had to take another 7 hour bus ride, however, the decision was a good one. The direct flight took 45 minutes and we got to Udaipur just before sunset! The girls went to the Lakeview hotel for dinner while the boys watched soccer on TV.

The Spice Girls

Ellen took the kids to buy spices and tea for Beverly while Matt and I did more furniture and fabric shopping!

Su Casa Es Un Palacio!

Roberto and Cathy's house is a palace. It is like walking into the set of Indiana Jones. It's beautiful and the back of the yard is the old minister's palace which is being restored. They have 10 or more guest houses which they turn into boutique hotels. They spent most of their time in the outdoor living or family room.

Hosing Luke off

Here's Emily hosing Luke's make up off before they jump back into the pool.

Luke vs Luca

Here's Luke wondering whether girls really have more fun!

Luke all made up

Here's Luke, complete with eye shadows, blush, a tiara and a wand!

Turning Luke into Luca

Luke was baby sitting the younger girls and he let them put make up on him to entertain them (and he obviously enjoyed it very much too!) What a great sport!

Jodhpur

We took a 7.5 hour bus ride from Jaipur to Jodhpur (without any stops!!). The kids were such troopers -they didn't complain at all. We visited with Cathy and Roberto who ran a wholesale furniture and fabric business from Jodhpur. He's Italian and she's Canadian - they also do specialized desert safaris. They have an incredibly beautiful ranch which was like a palace of sorts. They have a Napelese chef who is trained to cook excellent Italian food. We went furniture and fabric shopping and had a great time. The kids made friends with their 6 year old daughter Bianca. Here they are splashing about in their pool.

Amber Fort

The design and construction of the palace was exquisite. Here you can see jade, little mirrors which would reflect the candles which were lit at night during festivals and meals. Must have been quite a sight back in those days!

Amber Fort

So this particular King of Jaipur (Maharaja) had it all figured out. He built this palace for him and his 12 queens (the Maharanis). Each queen has a private apartment. The #1 queen had the biggest one with a private kitchen and an outdoor bath (directly under his own apartment on the entire second floor)! So he roams the hall way on the second floor where he can see all his Maharanis!! Apparently the #1 who lived here was very fat, she did not walk on her own and instead was carried in a carriage.