2011 Biking Rajasthan

We stayed here at the charming, if erratic, Shivika Lake Hotel. Shivika, one of only five women encountered in the tourist industry in six weeks spent in Rajasthan, runs the hotel in casual, homely style. Her father bought the lakeside property 29 years ago when she was 6 months. She told us she was of “royal descent” and that at independence her grandparents had become members of congress. Her father also went into politics, but from a young age Shivika knew she would run the hotel and by 15 was attending trade shows, despite being the only woman present.

From Ranakpur by jeep to Kumbalgarh to visit yet another fort, this one built in the 15th century with walls 36km long. Then on to Udaipur (85km) on Pichola Lake where dhobi-wallahs (washer women) opposite our hotel punctuated our days with the rhythmic slapping of hapless clothing with wooden planks. Udaipur was founded by Prince Udai Singh II. He was saved from assassination when only a baby by his wet nurse, who, when confronted by the assassin, pretended her own son was the Prince. Her baby was beheaded and she subsequently escaped to Kumbalgarh with the Prince.