Unscripted Adventures

October 28, 2024

Vanshika Kotha

If you love dancing in the breeze next to the water, wandering through ancient palaces, and getting lost in shopping until your wallet is empty, Udaipur may be your next destination! A city of color and history, this picturesque Rajasthani city combines romantic sunsets with delicious food that will make your stomach burst. 

We landed in Udaipur, and the first thing that hit me was –  the hot, scorching, deadly sun. IT WAS SO HOT! I stood in the shade (it wasn’t making any difference) waiting for the cab. It arrived after an eternity! I ran in, searched around for the AC, and put my face into it. Don’t blame me – believe me, if you were there, you would’ve done the same thing! We reached our hotel, an ancient palace turned into a resort – Taj Fateh Prakash Palace. We had a nice view of the manmade lake – and we could also see the Taj Lake Palace, a resort in the middle of the water! How cool is that? We were welcomed with juice and went to the room. The room was quite spacious – perfect for a family of four. We had a nice view of the ocean, and salty tickled my nose. 

We walked to a museum after a rest. The museum was quite close by – just a few minutes walk. We ventured through it, exploring years of history and all sorts of artifacts & remains. Since we had started around 11:00, it was 3:00 by the time we came out! We didn’t have lunch, though lucky for us, my sister found a restaurant for us to eat in – right opposite the museum. We came back to the hotel and explored it a bit more. It was a place of history – from huge rooms with intricate carvings to old paintings. All of us wore our best dresses, and did a photoshoot for more than an hour! My dad took all of our photos, and they turned out pretty great!  

We went shopping in the old streets of Udaipur. My mom bargained with the street shops to get a good price (and also so that her wallet wouldn’t be empty 😅). We took some pictures next to a view of the lake and also scared away some pigeons – just for the fun of it. Deeper into the area, we saw an art studio! I love art, so I begged my parents to let us go there. They said yes, and when we entered inside, I was having second thoughts about going there. The shopkeeper made my sister and I sit down on stools, and using just poster colors, he painted our nails into masterpieces! This was not what I expected. 

We were getting hungry, so we searched for nearby cafes that had at least a 3-star rating from customers. We found one and practically ran to it. It was an artsy, old-soul type of cafe – and the best part was that a small puppy was jumping everywhere! My sister and I couldn’t stop ogling over it! We ordered an Oreo milkshake and my parents ordered a lemonade. It was so hot there!

It was getting dark by the time we were finished, so we decided to have dinner. Finding the place itself took SO LONG! We returned to the hotel, exhausted. The next day, we went to a garden with a rich history. Flowers decorated the place everywhere, and insects like bees buzzed about – our hands swatting them away. There was a special fountain – apparently, if we clapped our hands twice, water would gush out from it. But that thing went bust. It didn’t work. 

The next place we went to was the gondola ride, after lunch at a restaurant called Kammagani. It was pretty popular in Udaipur, so we decided to give it a try. We went to the ticket booth area and bought 4. We climbed up some steps just to reach a looooooooooooooong line for the gondola ride. We waited for 45 minutes! Finally, we got onto the gondola ride and were shocked at the view. We witnessed years of history lighted up in the dark, people looking like ants, and buildings no taller than me! It was a wonderful sight and we took thousands of pictures. 

Udaipur truly lives up to its title as the City of Lakes and Palaces, offering a magical blend of history, culture, and fun. From exploring ancient museums and majestic palaces to indulging in vibrant shopping streets and picturesque gondola rides, the city captivates every traveler. Whether it’s the charm of its sunsets, the thrill of its adventures, or the delight of its food, Udaipur leaves behind memories you’ll cherish forever!