Udaipur

 So this morning, bright and early, we got our first proper look at Udaipur (to be honest, some of us were none too bright and it was most definitely too early).

Udaipur is noisy, chaotic and full of Indian tourist groups making the most of the public holiday for Gandhi's birthday. We loved it.

Our first stop this morning was to Jagdish temple. Dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu it's been in continuous use since 1651.  Unlike the brightly coloured Hindu temples we've seen in the South of Asia, it's made from white marble (although it wasn't exactly gleaming) and is covered in most excellent carvings. It certainly showed those Jain lads how it should be done. Plus you're free to enjoy the odd plate of garlic chicken and a beer if you're Hindu.....

After a fairly steep uphill trek dodging all manner of crazed drivers and holidaying locals, we reached our next objective : The City Palace.

Built on the shore of Lake Pichola , at over 800ft long it's the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Building was started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II, and each Maharana since has added a bit more to it.

Indian security guard bravely looking the other way.

Palaced out, we headed down to the lake for a relaxing boat ride stopping off at the Maharana's summer palace for a 15 minute photo break followed by an hour's midday -sun queueing and competetive glaring with the Indian tourists in the neighbouring queue while we waited for a boat back. Such fun!

After lunch we ended the day's excursions with a visit to The Garden of the Maidens. Built in the 18th century it was intended as a place for the Queen and her ladies-in-waiting to get away from it all for a few hours.  Lots of fountains and palm trees. I liked it, despite not being royal and if I'm honest, it's been a good few years since I was a maiden.