Our highway trip from Udaipur to Pushkar was scarey to say the least. At fast speeds we were weaving between large trucks with literally inches to spare. In fact maybe 80% of the traffic were large trucks, some with oversized loads which took up3/4 of the two lane road. It was also interesting to find speed humps on the highway. There weren’t too many tuktuks (not sure of the spelling) but there were still people pushing carts, cows and goats. When there is a closed lane, a row of rocks will be strategically placed with no warning and the need for sudden lane change is urgent which is interesting when surrounded by massive trucks.
We have been told that the 3 requirements for driving in India is a good horn, good brakes and good luck!!!! And its so true.

Our arrival in Pushkar was late and it was cold. We were offered a heater… the first one didn’t work, the second one came without a connection piece just two exposed wires. The wires were inserted into the holes for the electricity connection and somehow managed to hang in there with no support and the heater was turned on. We were therefore very pleased when it was realised that I thought it unsafe ( despite all assurances that ” it is very safe madam “) and another safer heater was found. There was no hot water but you can’t always have everything!

We went to the markets, the Brahma temple and the holy lakes around the city. At the markets we encountered a man with a five legged cow which is apparently common in India. He was happy for a photo with a tip at the end.

On the way to Udaipur, we visited a fort which was 35 km long and on the top of a mountain range. Called Kumbhalgarh Fort.The views were spectacular.

Udaipur is a beautiful city of lakes. One lake connects to the river and the rest are man-made lakes connected by canals of some sort. Hotel Rampatrap was a bright and cheery place to stay at. wE went up to the Monsoon Palace to see sunset which is very popular and lots of people there.Our driver suggested and booked for us a special restaurant with a table beside the lake. Mostly international tourists there and the weather was perfect, as was the food…yet again. The roads to the spot were made for walking and donkeys and only just fitted one car in spots. there was lots of reversing and shuffling of cars and tuktuks along the street.

This post is a bit late. Sometimes it is more difficult to access the Internet. We travelled on aa mostly single car road to Ranakpur through little villages. There were gum trees… but no koalas!!! There are heaps of monkeys everywhere though. As well there are lots of cows, pigs, dogs, goats, squirrels and donkeys. They all have a purpose. The cow dung is dried and used for fire starters, patching up walls and there are often women carrying baskets of cow dung along the streets. The pigs are used to eat the rubbish on the streets. The donkeys are used to carry heavy items. The goats are used for milk and meat. Any lamb on menus might also be called mutton but is actually goat meat. We have been eating meat sometimes, in places where there are lots of people or we have been told is ok by our driver or guide. So far so good. Mostly though we eat vegetarian.

We visited the amazing Jain temple. Jain worshippers believe all creatures are equal and so we couldnt wear any leather inside the temple. it is made of intricately carved marble. Absolutely beautiful.