We arrived before sunset in Udaipur.
Its tricky arriving at night, or before sunrise, as the areas where the bus stops,are usually a bit outve town, and haggling a tuk tuk ride into town is nerve wracking on a travel weary mind .
Our room, on the 5th floor, up steep steps, wasnt ready, due to the hour, so we climbed the 6 flights to the rooftop, and were astounded by the beauty of the lake, and surrounding mountains.
Sunrise arrived behind the Jagdish Temple behind us, it was peaceful, and a lovely start to 5 days in Udaipur.
Got a lovely room, with a stunning view.
We spent our morning walking next to the river, the light was perfect for reflections and photography, crossed over the bridge, and ambled down to the small temples along the way.
The one temple was dedicated to a young boy who saved the kings life 100s of years ago.
Another temple was dedicated to one of his favourite Temple dancers.
We sat for a long time, right next to the water at this last little temple, and watched the devout praying, washing themselves, children squealing in delight while swimming and playing in the lake.
It was so peaceful.
The second day we found a roof top swimming pool, and spent 2 blissfully relaxing afternoons there.
The food was good, the beer was cold .
What more could one ask for??
Our days in Udaipur were spent doing retail therapy, bought lots of nice things.
The shop owners are persistent buggers.
As you approach a shop (and believe you me,you cant avoid them, as there are kiosk sized ones side by side, lining both sides of the road, mostly all selling the same old, same old.) The owner is sitting or standing on the step, and inevitably says:" hello, where are you from?' In Udaipur, it was:" hello ,are you from Australia, what is your name, would you like to come into my shop, would you like a cup of chai, no no just one minute, let me show you this pure silk/wool/cotton pashmina" etc etc
Or if you walk past, and they realize you ain't gonna stop/or aren't interested, they start explaining to you, as you approach, what's in their shop, how beneficial it would be to you, and as youve passed, how much things cost, and as you're disappearing down the road, how much discount they are prepared to give.
They must talk to themselves so many times a day!
Or they invite you in for a cup of chai, so that they now have your undivided attention, and they start unpacking shelves of things to see.
If you have the time, and are interested, it fun to see the huge varieties of different items on sale.