UDAIPUR

Udaipur, Rajasthan, palaces on an oasis of water in the desert. The landscape, parched, with little evidence of water since crossing into the state. Heading towards summer is evident though brightly coloured with so many varieties of vegetation celebrating the season with flower. The predominant colours are reds and purples that break the landscape. There was not much green but new leaf is starting in anticipation of the rains to come. 

From the hotel balcony, overlooking the lake, a strong breeze is welcome to slew away the dry heat sucking moisture out of the core. Replenishing with ginger chai the vista is rewarding. In all directions small cupolas decorate the view. By the banks of Lake Pichola bathing ghats and temples nestle beside old residences that have become guest houses and hotels. White and yellow whitewash allows the shadows of the numerous arched windows and balconies to become prominent. 

The sky is cloud littered, the moisture mass pulled and stretched mirroring the ripples, hanging, still. The sun descends, losing light intensity and changing hues. Fish air bath, splashing their existence, to return quickly beneath the green. People are bathing, wading feet and hands carefully treading the slippery steps, submerged. Heads are bobbing, singularly and in pairs as opportunistic boys swim across the expanse hoping to lure favour from the life jacketed travellers on tour in flat bottom boats, joyful in their liquid freedom. Water taxis ferry people back and forward across the water to hotels and restaurants, a leisurely journey. Along the banks are dotted huge banyan trees, verdant, roots deeply nourished, providing respite shade and an ecosystem for all manner of wildlife. 

The City Palace looms high in yellow stone opposite which is Lake Palace, a white three story structure looking as if floating on the lake surface. A Chinese junk is moored not far away conspicuous in its dislocation from the surrounding culture.  Birds of prey ride the thermals above the water effortlessly circling in search of prey, listing left then right. Dusk brings blued tones and more people, Music wafts upwards riding the breeze as a troupe of Rajasthani musicians, in full costume, entertain at the ghat below through instrument and voice. 

It is majestic and romantic.