We've hit Paradise!! After the last few days this place is clean and there's FRESH AIR! Arrived in Udaipur approx 07.00, we were picked up by Anwar and taken to Khumba Palace Hotel. The hotel is owned by Francine and Danesh and is on a hill with the Palace behind it and compared to the last few hotels it's beautiful. Not much noise from the street and there's a lovely garden with a fountain and a brilliant view. On arrival we were greeted by the hotel dog, Roxy, a big, gorgeous great dane who Simon fell in love with straight away! We checked in and went to the rooftop restaurant where we had egg on toast, it was the best food I've had in ages ha ha! Feel completely rejuvinated and ready to explore the lakes surrounding Udaipur.
After a night swatting greenfly (should've shut the window at dusk!) I woke up with Delhi-Belly, not too bad though, still managed a tuk tuk tour of the lakes, temples and gardens of Udaipur. The next day we decided to go horse riding up in the rural villages of Udaipur, Francine and Danesh run a ranch where you can do half or full day treks. We decided, or should I say I decided half a day was enough! It was absolutely brilliant and a great way to see the sights that are off the beaten track. It was also completely knackering!
The first night we stumbled across the 'Lotus Cafe' and it was so good we went back almost every night for dinner as it was really friendly and the food was great.
Udaipur is a beautiful city with beautiful surroundings and everyone wants to be your friend, we couldn't walk down the street without being invited in for chai by every shop owner there was!
There is still a lot of 'wildlife' around, cows chillin out on the street, stray dogs running about in the rubbish, chipmunks dashing about from tree to tree but they all do their own thing along with everyone else and it seems to work!
We had a really good time here and I think it's one of the best places in India so far.