Travelling north...Cochin to Udaipur in Rajasthan

Sunday 23rd September : Cochin to Amet Haveli, Udaipur

From another guest correspondent, Linda.

Not exactly looking our sparkling best at 5.30am!

It was an early start for us today as we left beautiful Kerala and travelled to our first stop in Rajasthan, Udaipur.

We gathered in the hotel lobby at 5:30am, with our bags weighing only 15kg, or thereabouts, and travelled to the Cochin airport. One bag failed to make it onto the coach, but after some speedy phone calls the bag managed to rejoin us.

Then it was to security where several members of our group were interrogated further by the authorities regarding various bits and pieces they were carrying. There was a separate security queues for males and females which was a new experience for us. The women's queue included a curtained booth so the security guard could wave her wand around us in private. But thankfully we all made it through to the departure area.

Some of us sampled the hot drinks and snacks available at the cafe while we awaited boarding.

Once on the plane, it took us some time to rearrange the seating configuration to our satisfaction. At the end of our musical chairs only one of us remained in their originally designated seat!

IndiGo Airlines was extremely efficient, with our very new looking airbus quite comfortable for a short fight. The “cappuccino” I ordered bore very little resemblance to the real thing however.

After a 95 minute flight we arrived in Mumbai, where we stood in more queues and went through more security as we moved through to the gate. We had time for some more snacks and other shopping before boarding our flight to Udaipur. The flight was full, with almost all of the other seats taken by a group of teenage school children and their teachers.

About an hour later we arrived in Udaipur where unfortunately it was grey skies and rain. We thought it amusing that although the front exit of the plane was connected to an air bridge which led directly into the terminal, those of us in the back of the plane had to exit out the back, in the rain and board a bus which then transported us the few metres to the terminal.

Luggage all arrived safely, and we were greeted by our guide Jessica, and escorted to our bus where we met driver Suna and assistant Anil. They will all be accompanying us throughout our Rajasthan travels.

Our hotel was about 45 minutes away. We saw many sights as we travelled along in the bus, including brightly decorated people and vehicles celebrating the Festival of Ganesh. There were many cows roaming freely, and the bus was stopping for those on the road until they passed. To injure or kill a sacred cow would be very bad karma for our group.

The last part of our journey to the hotel was by tuk tuk, luggage and all. A bumpy trip through narrow streets, lots to see, many more cows, and some beautiful white horses dressed for a celebration.

We reached the Amet Havelis, a pretty hotel on the lake - Lake Pichola. After the usual fluffing about with passports and keys, we were shown to our rooms, all with lake views. From there we had 3 hours, to unpack and rest, with some having a massage.

At 6:00pm we gathered to board a boat for a sunset cruise. However in view of the inclement weather ie sheets of rain, the cruise was thankfully able to be deferred until the following day.

We replaced the sunset cruise with a round of G&Ts in Dianne's and Jenny's room: party central. Then we were well-prepared for dinner.

The tuk tuk driver making sure we didn't hit
anything on the side of the road.

At 7:00pm we had another thrilling and bumpy tuk tuk ride to restaurant Royal Repast for dinner. The name means regal feast. From the House of Bedla, the restaurant specialises in traditional Mewar style cooking.

The Bedla family traces its roots in Mewar (Udaipur) to 1527. The valor of the “Purabia Chauhans” in battle was rewarded with the “Jagirs” (estates) including Bedla near Udaipur. The Bedla family has played a significant role in the affairs of state over the centuries. The Bedlas have hosted Queen Elizabeth, Jacqueline Kennedy, the Shah of Iran, Indira Gandhi and Pandit Nehru.

Absolutely delicious food!

Our host Vijay Singh Bedla, welcomed us and described the menu - pumpkin soup, pappadums, vegetable kebab, double smoked chicken, chicken curry, mutton (actually goat) curry, stuffed baby eggplant, basmati rice, and a most delicious dessert of corn, coconut milk and jaggery. It was a very special meal, in a beautiful setting.

Another tuk tuk back to the hotel and we were all ready for sleep after a very long day.

A rapid photo, taken as we bumped across
 one of the many bridges on the way home in the tuk tuk

your guest correspondent

 Linda