At 10 a.m. the tour sets out for a boat ride. On board the boat they learn that Lake Pichola, created in 1362 AD and situated in Udaipur city, is an artificial fresh water lake, named after the nearby Picholi village. It is one of the several contiguous lakes that were developed over the last few centuries in and around the famous city. The lakes were primarily created by building dams to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of the city and its neighborhood. Two islands, Jag Niwas (on which Lake Palace is built) and Jag Mandir (on which the new palace of the same name is built) are located within Pichola Lake and other palaces have been developed to provide views of the lake.
Back on dry land again the tour progresses to Udaipur City Palace which is one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan and is located on the bank of Lake Pichola. The guide says: "This majestic City Palace is the most-visited tourist attraction of Udaipur and often distinguished as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Initially, Maharajah Udai Singh built this superb wonder, but the present form of the Palace is the result of subsequent additions by his successors".
"City Palace boasts a wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture. The Palace has various towers, domes and arches, which add to the flavor of this heritage site. Towering on the banks of Pichola Lake, City Palace is truly a feast to the eyes. City Palace is a marvelous assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. Encircled by fortifications, this imposing Palace is wholly built in granite and marble. City Palace has several gates that are known as "Pols". 'Bara Pol' (Great Gate) is the main gate to the City Palace complex that will take you to the first courtyard. On passing 'Bara Pol', you will come across a triple arched gate, which is known as 'Tripolia'. Between these two gates, you would see eight marble arches or Toranas, where Kings used to weigh themselves with gold and silver. Besides Tripolia, there is an arena where elephant fights were staged. Across 'Tripolia', you would enter the 'Elephant Gate' or the 'Hathi Pol'".
"City Palace comprises 11 wonderful palaces, which were built by different rulers but they still resemble each other. With the sheer glimpse of unique paintings, antique furniture and exquisite glass mirror & ornamental tiles of these palaces, you will be amazed. Manak Mahal (Ruby Palace) has figures of crystal and porcelain. However, Bhim Vilas flaunts a fabulous collection of miniature paintings depicting the real life stories of Radha-Krishna". The guide hands out an information leaflet to each member of the group asking that they return to the transport by 1 p.m. in order to arrive for lunch at Satkar Hall of Fateh Prakash Palace by 1:30 p.m.
With leaflets in hand Sansa and Emily shaded under their parasols, dutifully followed at a respectful distance by Sudesh and Nilesh, wander through the impressive courtyards and halls of the City Palace. Occasionally the ladies sit to admire something particularly impressive and/or interesting.
The lunch is a delicious feast in a beautiful Satkar Hall of Fateh Prakash Palace. They take their time eating, albeit in the shade, it is still in the early afternoon heat of the Thar desert. After taking lunch the convoy takes them back to the Maharajahs' Express in time to depart at 4 p.m. on an almost 24 hour train ride to the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja Terminus at Mumbai at 3:40 p.m. on the following day.
As the train departs from Udaipur, Emily receives a text from Mrs Karima Chettri, the Group Hotels Manager. It tells her that she is flying to Mumbai to investigate a complaint that has, within the last hour, been made by a senior employee against the General Manager of The Best Erotic Marigold Hotel of Mumbai, Dr Surabadjia Singh. The employee, Ms Selviana Katanja, alleges that Dr Singh has been misappropriating funds from the hotel. Ms Katanja is the Hotel Auditor and Chief Accountant and has assembled a large dossier of evidence. The message goes on to apologise for involving Emily but she doesn't want her to inadvertently walk into the situation unprepared, hence the need for the message to give her as much advance warning as possible. The police have not yet been involved but if the evidence is solid, will need to be as soon as possible.
There is a knock at the door and on answering it she finds Sushila who asks in a whisper to speak privately with her about a message she has just received from Karima, the Group Hotels Manager. Emily says she is alone and invites her to come in and take afternoon tea with her. As they sit, Emily shows her the text that she has received only a short time ago. As Sushila reads the text, Emily pours tea for them both. Sushila finishes reading the text and says it is the same text that she received, and judging by the timing, the texts must have been sent to them at the same time. Sushila says that Karima appears to have matters under control and is not obliged to notify the police until she has seen the evidence and had a chance to interview those involved, i.e when she believes that a crime may have been committed. Emily thanks her for her advice which confirms her own view and that there is nothing they can do before arriving in Mumbai.
Emily prepares for dinner starting with a lovely long shower. As she steps out of the shower and dries herself with a lovely fluffy white bathsheet. Sansa comes in planning to take a shower and grins finding Emily completely naked: "Aww, shame I missed showering with you" then wraps her arms around her for a big hug. Sansa helps her put her hair up and goes to take a shower while Emily fixes her makeup.