The Floating Palace

Today we fly from Bombay to Udaipur, India to visit the famous Lake Palace Hotel, also known as The Floating Palace.





Legend has it that when Maharana Udia Singh was out hunting he came upon a sadhu by the side of a lake. The king sought his blessings upon which the sadju advised him to build his capital near the lake. And so, in 1559 the beautiful Lake Palace was born shifting the Rajput Kings here from Chittaurgarh. Some writers have called Udaipur “the most romantic spot on the continent of India.”

Stepping out of this history frame for a moment, we must bare in mind most of the Rajas’ Palaces in India have been converted into Hotels. This was done, advice given them from Jackie Kennedy. Thanks to Jackie, I have been able not only tour Maharajas’ Palaces but stay over night in couple of them. And, all are breath taking with their rich marble floors and carvings in keeping with their history and culture. Their native traditional dress adds to the beauty and history to all their Palaces.

For those who have seen 007 Octopussy will see a part of that film taken on Lake Palace grounds. We (that is Eric & I) met one of Lake Palace Hotel employees who took a wee part in this movie. He was a tall handsome Rajput with his waxed handlebar moustache, sharing his excitement as an actor in one of Hollywood’s top movies, with us.



On our return to Texas, Eric replayed that tape and sure enough there stood our friend we met at Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur, tall and handsome as ever. My advise to all is to go into Search and type in Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur and view the photos on this Hotel. I can see someone is thinking about a visit to Lake Palace, Udahipur, you will never regret it.



Yes, there is a so much history here. The service at this hotel is A+ and what a resting place. Their swimming pool area, the rooms, their lobby, patios and restaurants are one of a kind. You are living the Rajput style dating back centuries in this beautiful Palace floating on a lake.



Needless to say I have several photo albums of my travels but the ones on India rank number one for me. I should mention that their colourful unique stationary blends in with the time period to each of these Palace Hotels.



Hope you enjoyed our short visit to the beautiful Lake Palace Hotel, Udahipur India.

Would love to hear from others who have stayed at Lake Palace Hotel, in Udahipur, India.

God bless
Clare
To be continued on Part Three

Bombay, India: 5, April 1986

The Gateway of India was built 19ll to commemorate the visit of King George V.


You will notice not much will be mentioned on Bombay other than she is a large city and from where our first journey through India commences on this Blog.

The Raj & Beyond Blog is my Gateway for folks to enter around a common subject: INDIA.

What better way to commences our journey, “The Raj & Beyond” then through “The Gateway of India” Bombay, India.

The above photo was taken in 1986, my first return to India after leaving her in 1950. I have now re-opened that Gateway to all India’s families, friends, the young and old, to the sharing of our memories, thoughts and life long dreams. There are so many beautiful places in India waiting to be discovered and shared with the world. Over here I shall do my best to share my journey, my thoughts and my several happy memories of India with all of you.

Thanks to this new technology known to us as the Internet we can share our memories and photographs with the world mixing fiction with nonfiction articles. Recalling parents and grandparents’ stories, notes taken from diaries or sharing your first vacation experiences to this historical country where stands one of the World’s Wonders. The splendor of the magnificent, Taj Mahal, Agra, India.

One must remember Father Time waits for no one. We all have stored up memories, lets open that wave band and attach them to “The Raj & Beyond” for all those who are anxiously waiting to hear your thoughts and see old and new photographs on this Blog, remembering we are treading through both the Raj and the Beyond. One must move forward and not stagnate in the past of the Raj days. Growth from the Raj Days is a subject most of us want to hear also. Let us share the building of our lives that stemmed from The Raj days, and oh yes, photos of the past and present will complete this large picture.

Thanks.

God bless.
Clare
To be continued: