Well....today we flew from New Delhi to Jodhpur and began bicycling in Rajasthan. A short 20km (12 mile) ride to start the trip. Only problem was the 100 degree heat. The terrain around here looks like North Scottsdale.
Everyone survived (we had a few early dropouts and one minor injury among the members of our group) and checked in at the Umaid Bhawan Palace. This hotel really is a palace.Built by the Maharaja of Jodhpur in the 1920s and 30s, some say it was a "WPA-type" project to employ the local people during a period of drought and famine. Others say it was a ostentatious project costing tens of millions of dollars.
This building is immense. It combines architectural elements of ancient Hinduism and the modern functionality of Art Deco. Quite a blend! Click on the link above and check out their website and the photoessay.
Our suite has an enormous bedroom/living room, a dressing room, a bathroom with two vanities, bathtub, toilet/bidet room, and walk in shower big enough for a large Indian family. Oh, I forgot about the balcony/outdoor sitting area. This suite is larger than most apartments in Manhattan.
This is the definition of "over the top".
One more notice - Five days in India and NO DELHI BELLY.
1 comment:
Well done - no Delhi Belly! I am imagining you having a wonderful meal at that hotel... I quite fancy a curry myself, even though it's only breakfast time here. Our guide escorted us briefly into the hotel saying that if you aren't a resident, it has a $60 cover charge per person to walk in the door! The hotel we stayed in was also a palace - but not anywhere in the same league - it is still partially occupied by the family (minor princelings in comparison with the builder of your palace). We were told that when the maharajahs "lost" their titles (you'd never know it though!) they also lost their revenues, so many of them turned their palaces into hotels for the income. Can you imagine how the staff live in their own homes???
JP wants to know how long it took to ride the 12 miles... I can imagine in that heat you didn't want to push it!
Cheers, Margot
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