Sunday lunch at the Lake Palace

When thinking about Udaipur, the first thing most people think of is the Lake Palace (Jag Niwas).  This beautiful place, now a hotel owned by the Taj group, was built in the 1740s by Maharana Jagat Singh as his winter palace.  It was built to face east, so that people could pray to Surya, the sun god, at dawn.  Originally built as a winter palace, it later became used by the rulers as their summer resort.  The palace is made of black and white marble adorned with semi-precious stones.  There are beautiful gardens, fountains and terraces.

Now I'd heard that you could only visit the Lake Palace if you were staying there.  However not to be deterred, I asked if I could come for Sunday lunch.  After a little negotiation, this was agreed and a boat was sent out to fetch me from the Lake Palace jetty.

It really was a lovely experience - one of a lifetime - as former guests have included Queen Elizabeth, the Shah of Iran, the King of Nepal and Jacqueline Kennedy (and now me!).  And as one of the waiters said, "Enjoy your moment!"

Sunset at the Monsoon Palace

Although I've been to Udaipur before, one place I've never been to is the Monsoon Palace, high up on a hill overlooking the city.  The palace was built to watch the monsoon clouds.  It's now under the control of the Forest Department, and it's difficult to get to without your own car as taxis won't drive up there (basically you have to get a minibus from the gates).  The sanctuary is a reserve for reptiles, tigers, deer, wild boars, hyenas, panthers and jackals.

The palace provides a beautiful view of the Fateh Sagar Lake and of the sunset over the hills.  Although it's quite run-down now, it was used for the filming of the James Bond film Octopussy in 1983.

Udaipur

For my last long-weekend in India I decided to go back to one of my favourite places.  I'd last been here in my first year in India and had always wanted to return.  I stayed in a little haveli in Lal Ghat and this was my view each morning and evening.

On my first day in Udaipur I went to the City Palace.  I took lots of photos of this place, and at the same time met up with a woman from Austria who is a professional photographer and she took some photos of me!

At the end of the tour around the City Palace there was a boat ride out to an island in the lake with another palace.  This was a super way to spend the day!

Easter in Athens

I went to the NESA Conference in Athens on my way back to Mumbai, after my month in the UK.  I was there over the Easter weekend.  Luckily I had a little time to go and visit the Acropolis slopes on Easter Sunday.  I got the hotel shuttle to the Temple of Zeus, by the Arch of Hadrian, and walked up from there. 

The word "acropolis" is a combination of 2 greek words: akron (highest point) and polis (city).  The Acropolis of Athens is therefore an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city and it contains the remains of several ancient buildings.  

Although there were long queues for tickets, the actual walk up to the top wasn't that busy.  There were some lovely views from the slopes.

On the way up to the top you pass the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, built in memory of his wife.  This theatre was used as a venue for musical concerts.  In recent times, artists such as Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and the Bolshoi Ballet have all performed here.

At the top of the Acropolis there is a monumental gateway called the Propylaea.   Ruins at the top are the Temple of Athena Nike and the Parthenon (the Temple of Athena Perthenos).

My birthday in Kew Gardens

It has been many years since I've been in the UK on my birthday.  I stayed with Rachel the day before and then met up with Joal for a surprise day out.  My only instructions were to meet him at Earl's Court station.  We got on the tube and ended up at Kew Gardens.  What a lovely surprise and what an amazingly sunny and warm day we had for it!

Kew Gardens is full of lots of lovely planned gardens such as the Japanese Garden.  It's possible to wander round the whole day and still not see it all.

Some of the greenhouses and other buildings were not yet open - they were undergoing renovation.  We got some good views of them from the top of the Treetop Walkway.

 

We had lunch beside this lake.  Rachel had made me a lemon meringue for my birthday cake!

The day included a yummy cream tea in the Orangery!