We made the journey to Udaipur with ease. The trip from the hotel to Mumbai airport was very different from our arrival. The driver chose the coastal route where a new motorway makes it an easy journey as well as giving spectacular views. We did pass some more of the slums but the guide assured us that whilst they are grim-looking from the outside, inside they will have all mod cons—washers, tv, marble floors etc. The popular opinion is that food is cheap & plentiful & that rarely does anyone go hungry. It is the price of property that prevents people moving on & often they are sitting tight knowing that they are themselves occupying prime development sites.
At Udaipur airport the local agent + car & driver were waiting for us. The agent saw us on our way from the airport & another one met us at the hotel jetty. Vikram is our driver & he will now be with us until the end of our holiday. From airport to Udaipur town took about 30 mins & Vikram delivered us to the jetty from which the boat took us & our luggage across Lake Pichola to our hotel —The Leela Palace. The hotel is lovely & definitely made us welcome. We were greeted by local musicians & were showered with rose petals & had our photo taken. The hotel is about 4yrs old & is spacious with lots of water features & polished marble. UK ‘elf&safety’ would have a fit if they saw it! The one very noticeable thing was the pronounced drop in temperature. We now know why we have been carting warmer clothes around with us. We did have dinner outside but wearing scarves, sweaters, shoes & socks & with a gas heater belting out at maximum revs.
Will upload photos ASAP——having wifi problems.