Here are a couple shots of Udaipur itself. One panorama is from our hotel rooftop and another is from the Monsoon Palace. The women on the ghat are washing clothes with what resembles a small cricket bat. It's quite something to watch.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Photos (1 of 3): The City
Here are a couple shots of Udaipur itself. One panorama is from our hotel rooftop and another is from the Monsoon Palace. The women on the ghat are washing clothes with what resembles a small cricket bat. It's quite something to watch.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Udaipur! Not as hot as I thought....
My bikini is tucked in my backpack for later and my jeans, tshirt and sweater are out! Actually you really only need a sweater early morning and late night. Shorts and tshirts are a definite for the day as the sun gets quite hot. I stupidly decided against sunscreen and my face paid for it. Ouch!
Udaipur is definitely a change from Goa. Narrow alleyways with many hills and turns. Any moment you are either knocked over by a rickshaw, scooter, taxi or bike...then next moment you are squished up against a cow that lazily stares at you while chewing on some hay. The smells, sights and colors are a shock to the senses, but that is what we are here for!
We are staying in a wonderful guest house, not as nice as Goa, but lovely room because of the view. We are over looking the lake which is surrounded by majestic white palaces and shocking pink flowers. Its truly breathtaking. There is also a white, old palace in the middle of the lake that has been converted into a hotel. $550 US for a standard room and $4000 US for a suite! Maybe next year.....
Yesterday Matt and I went for a tour of this very old palace, then a lovely boat ride around the lake. We also met a wonderful Canadian twosome, who are also traveling for some time, 3.5 months! They have been a welcome Canadian contact and last night we enjoyed a show of traditional Rajasthani dancing, dinner, then were off to a late night visit to a nearby temple to see the final prayer session to Vishnu. An experience I certainly won't ever forget.
I have had some incredible highs here so far, but then moments of utter lows. It may be a shock to some but I am the one encountering belly problems, not Matt...grrrrrrr. I also pulled my neck this morning when I accidentally locked myself in the bathroom then couldn't get out! When I finally did, I flailed onto the bed, burst into tears, and wanted my Mom. No matter what age you are it seems, when you are sick, tired and homesick you want your Mom. But I shed my tears, pulled myself together, and reminded myself that's what I signed up for. You can't have the good without the bad, and this can only make me stronger....right?
Anyway we are off for some more sightseeing today and are going to take an automatic rickshaw out of the city a bit. We are later meeting our twosome to go to the top of this moutain to a place called Monsoon Palace. It is supposedly the place to be for amazing sunset views of Udaipur. We will hopefully post some pics soon.
None the less we hope you are all well! I miss a lot of you more then you could possibly know, and treasure our friendships even more so.
Hugs!
xxoo
Vee
Udaipur is definitely a change from Goa. Narrow alleyways with many hills and turns. Any moment you are either knocked over by a rickshaw, scooter, taxi or bike...then next moment you are squished up against a cow that lazily stares at you while chewing on some hay. The smells, sights and colors are a shock to the senses, but that is what we are here for!
We are staying in a wonderful guest house, not as nice as Goa, but lovely room because of the view. We are over looking the lake which is surrounded by majestic white palaces and shocking pink flowers. Its truly breathtaking. There is also a white, old palace in the middle of the lake that has been converted into a hotel. $550 US for a standard room and $4000 US for a suite! Maybe next year.....
Yesterday Matt and I went for a tour of this very old palace, then a lovely boat ride around the lake. We also met a wonderful Canadian twosome, who are also traveling for some time, 3.5 months! They have been a welcome Canadian contact and last night we enjoyed a show of traditional Rajasthani dancing, dinner, then were off to a late night visit to a nearby temple to see the final prayer session to Vishnu. An experience I certainly won't ever forget.
I have had some incredible highs here so far, but then moments of utter lows. It may be a shock to some but I am the one encountering belly problems, not Matt...grrrrrrr. I also pulled my neck this morning when I accidentally locked myself in the bathroom then couldn't get out! When I finally did, I flailed onto the bed, burst into tears, and wanted my Mom. No matter what age you are it seems, when you are sick, tired and homesick you want your Mom. But I shed my tears, pulled myself together, and reminded myself that's what I signed up for. You can't have the good without the bad, and this can only make me stronger....right?
Anyway we are off for some more sightseeing today and are going to take an automatic rickshaw out of the city a bit. We are later meeting our twosome to go to the top of this moutain to a place called Monsoon Palace. It is supposedly the place to be for amazing sunset views of Udaipur. We will hopefully post some pics soon.
None the less we hope you are all well! I miss a lot of you more then you could possibly know, and treasure our friendships even more so.
Hugs!
xxoo
Vee
Udaipur: Torontoians and rooftop beers
Greetings from milky-white Udaipur.
Our flight from Goa to Udaipur was of course not without incident (there's something hopefully not too karmic about the frequency we have issues with flying). Short-version: a punky & spoiled diplomat's son was causing so much trouble that he was actually ARRESTED when we got off the plane in Udaipur. A British family man and I both had words with him before the cabin crew took over - only to phone ahead for security at the airport. And it apparently made the Indian news!
Udaipur is a wonderful city - simulatenously beautiful and nerve-racking. We have enjoyed a beautfiul view of the lake, including the luxurious (and seemingly floating) City Palace Hotel made famous in 007: Octopussy. This view comes from both our room or while enjoying a beer on rooftop cushions. (Photos to follow in the next day or two.) Some of the buildings here are simply magnificent! That being said, you can't just wander around the streets without risking you limbs - so you take the great with the terrifying I guess.
Also, while taking a boat tour around the lake yesterday, met two new Torontian friends. We spent a good part of the afternoon and a wonderful evening with them, followed by breakfast this morning in a German café (thank-you Lonely Planet!). We are also scheduled to meet up with them on a mountain at sunset! Suffice it to say, it has subdued what homesickness we've had.
Namaste!
M
Our flight from Goa to Udaipur was of course not without incident (there's something hopefully not too karmic about the frequency we have issues with flying). Short-version: a punky & spoiled diplomat's son was causing so much trouble that he was actually ARRESTED when we got off the plane in Udaipur. A British family man and I both had words with him before the cabin crew took over - only to phone ahead for security at the airport. And it apparently made the Indian news!
Udaipur is a wonderful city - simulatenously beautiful and nerve-racking. We have enjoyed a beautfiul view of the lake, including the luxurious (and seemingly floating) City Palace Hotel made famous in 007: Octopussy. This view comes from both our room or while enjoying a beer on rooftop cushions. (Photos to follow in the next day or two.) Some of the buildings here are simply magnificent! That being said, you can't just wander around the streets without risking you limbs - so you take the great with the terrifying I guess.
Also, while taking a boat tour around the lake yesterday, met two new Torontian friends. We spent a good part of the afternoon and a wonderful evening with them, followed by breakfast this morning in a German café (thank-you Lonely Planet!). We are also scheduled to meet up with them on a mountain at sunset! Suffice it to say, it has subdued what homesickness we've had.
Namaste!
M
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Good bye Goa - we'll miss you...
Well the time has come to now depart Goa. It's been wonderful... even the 97% humidity yesterday. I was in heaven, Matt not so much... oh well at least I was happy. :o)
Our exploration of the small Aguada Fort was super fun and we got some lovely snaps. Lots of great scenery and friendly Indians telling us the best spots for pics! All in all it was great!
Then back to the beach for more beers, sun, $4 massages, $3 pedicures (actually pretty crappy but now I have diamond flowers cascading off my toes) and lots of good food.
We are now off to Udaipur, the City of Lakes. Its slightly north of here but still super hot! Love, love, love it!
Here are some pics from the past few days. (And no Noemi, there is no cow poop on the beach...they pick it up I think!)
Lots of love to you all!
Matt and Vee
xxoo
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sunburnt with a side of alka seltzer
Hi All!
Well its another day that feels like a million degrees with a trillion percent humidity...but hey...you won't hear me complain! I love it!
Matt and I spent a FULL day on the beach yesterday, drinking many beers, taking many walks and swims, and topping it off with a lunch of fries, shrimp pakoras, calamari and Kingfish, all in a masala sauce. Needless to say by the end of day my bed and alka seltzer were my best friends.
I feel more perky today though after a good 12 hours sleep and have decided to scrap the beach for the early part of the day and do some exploring instead. We are heading off to a nearby fort/light house so that should be interesting.
Although I do love the beach, I certainly don't want to come home looking like that old wrinkly sun worshiper from "Something About Mary"....
As always I miss you all....I seem to miss you more when I am tired and my tummy is gurgly....but either way you are missed!!!
Talk soon!
Vee
xxoo
Well its another day that feels like a million degrees with a trillion percent humidity...but hey...you won't hear me complain! I love it!
Matt and I spent a FULL day on the beach yesterday, drinking many beers, taking many walks and swims, and topping it off with a lunch of fries, shrimp pakoras, calamari and Kingfish, all in a masala sauce. Needless to say by the end of day my bed and alka seltzer were my best friends.
I feel more perky today though after a good 12 hours sleep and have decided to scrap the beach for the early part of the day and do some exploring instead. We are heading off to a nearby fort/light house so that should be interesting.
Although I do love the beach, I certainly don't want to come home looking like that old wrinkly sun worshiper from "Something About Mary"....
As always I miss you all....I seem to miss you more when I am tired and my tummy is gurgly....but either way you are missed!!!
Talk soon!
Vee
xxoo
A couple snaps
Here are a couple snaps
from Goa. The cows and dogs roam everywhere (and I mean everywhere) as freely as people. The huts you see are bars/restaurants that you stay at all day. To drink all day and eat a decent lunch costs $5-7 per person.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Hot and Sunny - I love Goa
Hi All,
First of all I miss you! But I am happy to be out of Delhi! We landed in crazy scary fog - the likes of which I have never seen, and our hotel said there was an error with our room so moved us to the "Good Times Hotel" which I have since coined "Less Then Mediocre Times Hotel". In three words - gross and scary!
But we are now in Goa! Sunny, hot, tropical with a lovely room and lots of friendly Goans! There are also a lot of people from Australia and Europe. And the food is wonderful!
Matt and I are now off to the beach! There are a ton of beach shacks with food and bevvies and lovely chaise's with wonderful soft pillows. I think I shall perch myself on one of those for the rest of the day and slowly unwind.
Anyway I am thinking of you all, and hope you are all well. It's so nice to be able to connect with you in some small way. It almost feels as if a part of you are all with me and its very comforting! Hugs and kisses to you all!
xxoo
Vee
First of all I miss you! But I am happy to be out of Delhi! We landed in crazy scary fog - the likes of which I have never seen, and our hotel said there was an error with our room so moved us to the "Good Times Hotel" which I have since coined "Less Then Mediocre Times Hotel". In three words - gross and scary!
But we are now in Goa! Sunny, hot, tropical with a lovely room and lots of friendly Goans! There are also a lot of people from Australia and Europe. And the food is wonderful!
Matt and I are now off to the beach! There are a ton of beach shacks with food and bevvies and lovely chaise's with wonderful soft pillows. I think I shall perch myself on one of those for the rest of the day and slowly unwind.
Anyway I am thinking of you all, and hope you are all well. It's so nice to be able to connect with you in some small way. It almost feels as if a part of you are all with me and its very comforting! Hugs and kisses to you all!
xxoo
Vee
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