What a magnificent way to end our stay in Udaipur! We were treated again to a perfect day of warm weather under a cloudless sky. After a morning massage and hair treatment in the spa, we had a delicious breakfast overlooking the lake, then boarded our boat to the mainland to tour the city palace. The palaces were built in the 1720's and have been occupied and unharmed until India's independance, at which time the King turned them over to tourism, keeping part of the complex for his family's private residences.
The artwork and architecture are both magnificent and beautifully restored. Visitors have lots of freedom to walk around and through all the chambers. After our last dose of history, we opted for more shopping, of course. First stop was Pradesh were we loaded up with beautiful hand made bags and textiles, and yes, more pashminas (I think we average 5 pashminas each by this stage, but really who can have enough accessories?)
Next we went to a marble shop to feast on accessories for our homes. We are all in love with the marble dishes and statues we see at all of the properties we have stayed. Now the big bucks are coming out to pay for these pieces to be shipped back, hopefully in time for Christmas.
Everyone pretty much split up for the rest of the afternoon, exploring the markets for that perfect last gift or something colorful and clean to wear to dinner (after 2 weeks our wardrobe is pretty tired and too often seen). We're told to expect something wonderful for our last evening together.
