the road tracklog 
from Bundi to Mount Abu
from 16/04 to 22/04/2007 

The 16/04 was not a favourable day. I intended to see again the temples of Bijolia and Menar on the road to Chittaurgarth. The defect of indication, the signposts are in Hindi, and the works in progress, a new twice two lane road with many diversions, did not enable me to find their localization. I made the 167 kilometres in nine hours, breaks and stop lunch included. I arrived at the Padmini Hotel around 17:00. I was accommodated by an extremely eloquent receptionist who assures me the free parking and the possibility to have laundry. I dined at the restaurant of the hotel of which the menu does not offer anything of filling with enthusiasm.

Lunch break 
en route 
the 16/04/2007 

At the beginning of morning of the 17/04 I went to Tourism Reception Centre of Chittor to obtain documentation. I was very well accommodated. Then I left to visit the Fort by bicycle. The approach ramp with the seven gates is very steep. I finished the rise by pushing the bicycle. Around 11:00 the temperature was to already reach the 40°C. I visited the main monuments by making long stops in the shade of the rare trees or in the freshness of the temples. I turned over downtown about 16:00 where I made a stop in the single cybercafé. When I entered the cell of my truck the interior temperature was of 43°C, the temperature in the shade under the truck was of 39°C.

Tower of Victory
Chittorgarth 
the 17/04/2007 

Padminis's Palace 
Chittorgarth 
the 17/04/2007 

Before leaving the 18/04, I made wash the truck covered with dust and mud by the way from Bundi to Chittor. The road towards Udaipur is a beautiful twice two lane highway which sometimes crosses semi-desert landscapes with thin cultures in this period of dry season. Traffic in Udaipur does not pose any problem, avenues are broad. In Surajpol, I stopped at Tourism Reception Centre to take the citymap and to know the easiest road to go to Shilpgram. Around 17:30 I decided to bivouac in Shilpi Resort on the paying parking without service.

The 19/04, I left by bicycle to be around 9:30 at the entry City Palace. I finished my visit about 12:00. I had a rather good memory of my preceding visits. In spite of external heat, the visit was pleasant due to the little of tourists in the rooms. Most of the Palace exhibits collections of the museum. After the lunch I visited Bagore-ki-Haveli transformed into museum evoking the life of this royal residence when it was inhabited. Then I strolled in the old city before making my daily stop in a cybercafé. At the end of the afternoon some drops of rain seemed announced the nearest monsoon. Around 17:00 I went back to my bivouac under a very cloudy sky.

City Palace 
Udaipur 
le 19/04/2007 

Lake Palace 
Udaipur 
le 19/04/2007 

Bagore-Ki-Haveli 
Udaipur 
le 19/04/2007 

Before leaving Shilpi Resort the 20/04, I filled the tank with water. By circumventing Fateh Sagar there is a direct access to the road to Jodhpur, Mount Abu, NH76. Alas the road was closed due to work. Consequently I turned over downtown. The road from Udaipur to Pindwara is an excellent road with twice two lanes,    under construction. I arrived in Pindwara around 14:00 without any stop. Passed this city I made a stop and go to have rest and lunch quickly. At the junction to Mount Abu, I paid toll and I undertaken the rise of the sacred mountain. The claims of the Palace Hotel, Bikaner House, of my predecessors being out of non-negotiable price in this period of tourist season, I bivouacked with the coaches’ drivers on the Coal Depot Parking at the entry of the city opposite of the Sheratone Hotel around 17:00.

The morning of the 21/04, I strolled by bicycle into the village of Mount Abu in recognition of the places which I will have to attend, cybercafés, restaurants. Around 11:00 I moved towards Delwara Temples. While arriving I noted that the visits were from 12 pm, noon, to 7 pm. To have patience I had lunch of one Rajasthani Thali. The two Jain temples are wonders of sculptures out of white marble. The realization of the temple of Tejahpala, Luna Vasahi, required the work of 2,500 sculptor’s workers in ivory during 15 years since 1230. The remainder of the day I trotted myself in the surroundings of Nakki Lake towards Honeymoon Point and Anadra Point.

Nakki Lake 
Mount Abu 
the 21/04/2007 

Sunday 22/04 was a day of rest and revision of the truck and the road plan. Mount Abu is a hill resort for the Indians who come there in family primarily from Gujarat. The village is located at approximately 1,220 meters high. In this end April the diurnal temperature is of 10°C lower than that in the plain and the night temperature is of 23°C. The streets curve between the Polo Ground and the Nakki Lake dominated by the surrounding hills. They gather hotels, restaurants and shops for tourists.