Day 10 & 11 - Ranakpur & Udaipur

Day 10

Set off from Jaisalmer for Ranakpur at 8am for the 8 hour drive.  45 minutes into journey, "Paul" realises he has no shoes on and has left them in the hotel. So we sit on the side of a dusty highway waiting for someone to bring them. You can guess what we were thinking at this stage!

Arrived Ranakapur and went straight to the Jain Temples - by far the best temple we have seen so far. Intricate carving producing a master piece in marble. This was followed by a stop at a beautiful lake for sunset.

Day 11

Prior to departure Simon and Sally carried out a full kit check and inspection of "Paul" - this time nothing was left behind.

Departed for Udaipur driving through the Arvalli Hills passing  through villages still using pre-industrial farming  techniques. A well needed break from the manic main roads.

Stopped off at Kumbalgarh Fort  (video posted earlier) hopefully  the huge scale of the place comes across  as  it is difficult to describe. Beautifully set in the mountains as a kings retreat,  from the top one can see for miles in all directions and was as impregnable as it was awe inspiring to any attackers.

After a quick pick me up Pepsi we were off to Udaipur. Known as the  city of lakes i t is a city built around a series of man made lakes  and tanks (one full of crocodiles). Famous for having the lake palace it is the location for  the Bond film Octopussy.   

After 2 weeks i decided to go for a shave-  after a  40 min cut throat shave for 30 R  another guy jumped on me and started to  rub my face  provocatively. Apparently  this was a face massage and he tried to charge me 400 R for the pleasure. Being about 10 stone heavier has its merits and that was quickly reduced to 200. Still another series of  lessons learned  -   assume nothing, trust nobody, expect anything and maintain a sense of humor at all times.    

Should make a quick comment on the food - without exception it  has been fantastic. The  curry's back in the UK bare little resemblance and each day is a taste sensation. Keeping some notes on the ingredients and  dish  names for future use.