Jaipur to Udaipur

I am now in Udaipur which was an 8+ hour 440KM (about 265 mi) drive from Jaipur. Roads were good most of the way. Staying at another Heritage Hotel Palace built about 1800 - see www.jagatniwaspalace.com. It's not nearly as nice as Alsisar Palace
My palace is on a lake which is almost dry due to an extended drought. There are several palaces on this lake. Top pic is the Jagniwas Palace built in 1734 - directly across lake from my hotel. Bottom pic is a palace Haveli built about 1738.

Amber Palace & Fort 1

Jaipur is famous for its Amber Palace and Fort built in 1590 - top pic. Because of drought, the Raj moved his palace into the city of Jaipur in the 18th century.
Tourist get up the 1km steep, uphill trek to the palace/fort on elephants. There are 122 elephants that provide this service - only during the morning hours.
Bottom pic is of me on my elephant transport.

Amber Palace & Fort 2

Top pic is of the main entrance to the royal residences in the palace part of the fort.
The bottom pic was taken in the palaces court area - where the Raj would great official visitors. The walls are decorated with mirrors from Belgium <-- Jaipur was strategically located on the silk/spice road linking Europe with the far east.

Jaipur City Palace & Hawa Mahal

The City Palace (top pic) was originally built in 1727 & building continued to 1877. The palace is still occupied by the Jaipur Raj & family - but large parts of it are now museums.
That's me in front of the Hawa Mahal aka Palace of the Winds - built in 1799. It was built for the sole purpose of providing "parade" viewing perches (called Iharokhas - 365 of them) for female members of the royal family. It is only 45 feet deep.

Jaipur

Today (July 15) began with a late AM, 150km, 3-hour drive from Sariska to Jaipur - world famous for its jewels (star sapphires, rubies emeralds, etc.)..
I am staying at the Alsisar Haveli - another India Heritage Hotel. It was built in 1890 by a maharaja to house his palace guests. Top pic is of the sitting area just outside my room. Center pic is the door to my room - doors are teak covered with mother-of-pearl inlays.. Bottom pic is of "part" of my room - there is also a desk/sitting area & huge bathroom. Note fresco's on all walls. - pics on walls are of royal family members.
The place is incredible - huge property in heart of Jaipur, incredibly large rooms, too many photo-ops to include in blog so see www.alsisarmahal.com/ or www.alsisar.com and then click on Alsisar Haveli for many more pics & info!