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| City Palace From the Water |
Water, (2 man-made lakes) means boat rides. Come all aboard
for a leisurely put-put around
Lake Pichola. The City Palace (which we explored
yesterday), has steps leading into the Lake, flamboyant
areas for boats to
dock, marbled grandeur that today looks forgotten and forlorn. Ah, the good old
days of the princely state are gone. I can just imagine the pomp and circumstance
surrounding the comings and goings of the Maharana.
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| Summer Palace In the Middle of the Lake |
In the middle of the lake
was his Summer Palace, a place to get the cool breezes off the water, to cool
down in summer. Lucky us that know A/C, it must have been hot with all the
heavy gold clothes that were worn years ago. We just circled around the
Summer Palace and saw some of the houses the elite, rich merchants and diplomats built
on the shore. It was impressive housing for their time but today some are being
rebuilt and others just need more help. One large section on a peninsula is
today a hotel complex, rated by Trip-Adviser as one of the best. The
Leela Palace Hotel is about US$ 500/night and worth it according to our guide.
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| Landing on Pleasure Island |
Our group disembarked on a smaller island known as the
Pleasure Island. In olden days it was just for secluded parties and romantic tête-à-têtes.
Today unfortunately, it is used as a concert venue, tourist stops and for large
conventions or weddings which ruins the peacefulness here.
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| Entrance To the Ornamental Gardens |
So back we went to explore a garden complex, the
Saheliyon Ki Bari (Maiden Garden), an ornamental garden built in 1710 to 1734 by the
King. He surprised his queen and her entourage of 48 maidens with this cool
spot near one of the lakes as a gift. Here the Harem could take off their
facial veils and be just among women and be free from the intrigue of the palace court. No men were allowed.
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| Rain Without Clouds Fountain |
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| Also At the Entrance To the Gardens |
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| A Favourite, Lily Pond Fountain |
Sectioned off garden areas have names which
translate to:
Rain Without Clouds (fountains sprayed water into the air)
Lilly Pond Fountain (numerous water lilies)
Sounds Like in a Rain-forest, etc.
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| Many Flowers Blooming In These Gardens |
Each section had a small Palace and a theme in statues and
displays, all had water splashing about that came from the nearby lake and
cooled the air. The setup was sophisticated and clever and I am sure the women
loved it then more than we can image today.
Another visit to an art shop, this one picked by Dinesh gave
me another chance to buy a miniature painting.
I could not resist, it will be
shipped to the house. Krishna and a lover; a night scene and a bit dark, but we
like it. It is painted on camel bone. Unique, not something you find every day.
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| Miniature Painting, Krishna With Flute and Lover |
Carol found something in cotton, a robe; hand printed and very
well made and a bargain to boot, for me and for Carol. Dinesh knows his spots.
Back at the hotel the wedding preparations for the Indian
Wedding were in full swing. Henna hand painting was happening for the women in
the wedding party, the women were showing off their colorful saris, men needed
help with their dress shirts. It was a bit of a pandemonium but in a good,
happy way. Music was barely audible from the dance floor at the far corner of
the Palace where our rooms were. The night was soft and mild and clear.
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| Dinesh and Hans, Hangin' Out In the Shade |
The only sour note to all of this was the news that Dinesh could
not finish the trip with us. Nobody
told me why but we were just told that
Dinesh will stay behind. It was like taking an ice water shower, not pleasant,
shocking even. He was a great guide; he has what it takes to make an ordinary
trip extra ordinary.
We will miss you Dinesh.
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