Day 24 & 25 - Heather

This morning the air was crisp and the sky clear and we were able to see Udaipur without haze. It is a truly stunning place with the lake and its palaces around the shoreline and on the lake.  The streets are narrow and windy and it is a constant challenge to keep out of the way of the rickshaws, scooters, cows, donkeys and cars that try to make their way through the narrow streets - makes for some fairly spectacular traffic jams. 

We headed out in search of coffee this morning and were very happy to find a cafe run by Greek woman who made great coffee. Then it was time for a browse around the shops - some successful shopping was done which included one shop keeper insisting on dressing some of us!! (Photo below). 

Lunch included cake (in honour of Joanna's birthday).  In the late afternoon we made our way through the narrow alley ways to a guest house run by a lovely Indian couple called Robin and Mary. Andrew and I had booked a cooking lesson with Mary. We had a great time in Mary's kitchen learning to make mutter paneer, aloo gobi, dahl, fried rice, chappati and paratha. The kids enjoyed the views from the rooftop while we cooked then joined us for dinner. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

This morning was a very early start as our 7 am flight meant a 4.45 am wake up. We are now in Mumbai airport waiting for our flight to Goa. We are looking forward to the warmer temperatures of the South. Our flight from Udaipur was our first Indian transport that left on time and got in early!! 

Andrew continues: Try to ignore the weirdo in the turban below. I know I am. We got into Goa that afternoon and were immediately struck by how green and lush it felt compared with the North. Also less hectic - not exactly quiet, but more laid back by Indian standards. We had an hours drive from the airport to Panaji (or Panjim - no one seems to be able to decide what this town is called). It's full of colourful old Portuguese buildings, so just walking around the streets is interesting, especially in the evening.