Melbourne - March 2025

I had to go to Melbourne for work one Thursday. Caught the 0815 and arrived at the office about 1030.

Went to the work seminar in the afternoon at the RACV which is next to our office. Seminar was followed by drinks and great food. 

It's Grand Prix week so hotels are really expensive. Checked into the Melbourne City Apartments in Docklands where I stayed once before with the family.

Had a nice apartment overlooking the river...

On Friday I worked at a cafe before heading to the airport for my flight to Sydney.

Mumbai, India - March 2025

Flew back to Mumbai on Monday evening and caught an Uber to the Four Seasons. Last two nights here. We checked in and then went up to AER for a drink and some food...

Slightly different view from the hotel room this time...

Tuesday morning we had breakfast at the hotel then caught an Uber to Gateway of India the starting point of our walk around the tourist area...

The famous Taj Palace Hotel where we nearly stayed...

Lots of colonial buildings...

Then we caught an Uber (cheap and easy) to a restaurant called Copper Chimney, not far from our hotel. It was a buffet and the staff were very helpful making us try all the dishes! The food was great.

We then walked back to the hotel and rested for a few hours. That evening we caught an Uber to Dome Bar at the Intercontinental to watch the sunset. We can see the sea from our hotel, but due to the smog, it's not clear. The Intercontinental is right on the sea...

We then caught an Uber to a bar closer to our hotel, which had been recommended. It was very quiet and felt like a sports bar.

And in fact the cricket was on, India vs Australia. And we didn't win :-)

Uber home and a quick drink at AER.

The next day we had breakfast at the hotel and then caught an Uber to the airport for our domestic flight to Bangalore. The good thing about this was we didn't need to pass through immigration here.

Flight was delayed a bit but we got to Bangalore and cleared immigration quickly. Headed to the lounge for a quick shower and some food.

The Qantas flight left on time at 1740 and I had dinner and watched Beetlejuice. Then took a sleeping tablet and slept for most of the 11 hour flight.

Landed on time around 1045am and got Uber home. Great trip but glad to be home.

Udaipur, India - Monday 3 March 2025

Last day today and we will leave about lunchtime. After the usual breakfast, we went for a coffee here...

We then went for a walk to find a massage place I'd read about on Google but it wasn't there. We have noticed that quite a few things listed on Google aren't actually there. But it was interesting walking away from the touristy area...

We then found a restaurant for lunch. It was AWFUL. The first bad food we've had in India!

We paid and left, and went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage. We had booked a transfer which included a rickshaw and then a taxi. Cars are not generally allowed into the old town.

We arrived at the airport very early (you never know how bad the traffic will be or how long security will take). The Indigo flight was delayed. Easy flight to Mumbai. 

Got an Uber at Mumbai and back to the Four Seasons.

Udaipur, India - Sunday 2 March 2025

 Sunday morning. Another beautiful day. This is my breakfast each day...

This is the rooftop restaurant...

Today we are going to get a boat to Jagmandir Island Palace which we can see from our hotel. We walked to the City Palace and bought tickets which then required us to walk through the palace to the jetty. We should have done it yesterday and would have saved some money.

This is from the Ghat where the boat leaves from...

The boat does a bit of a circle past some interesting buildings. I do like the architecture...

Approaching the island...

We arrived and had a walk around. There isn't much here...

The gardens are nice...

Leaving the island...

We needed a rest and found a decent place for coffee...

And then headed for lunch to a restaurant that has been recommended by a guy I met at our client function in Mumbai. Google maps said only 1 km so we decided to walk. We should have caught a rickshaw as there's no footpath and it's hot.

Crossing the road bridge...

The restaurant is called 1559 AD which is the year that Udaipur was founded.

Arrived and sat outside on the balcony which was lovely...

The food was great...

We caught a rickshaw back to the hotel for a rest. The rickshaw driver thought he was a Formula One driver so the ride was a bit scary!

That evening I walked again to the other side of the lake for a drink. 

There aren't bars per se but I say at a restaurant and had some margeritas...

And ordered some snacks...

Another perspective of the City Palace...

Watched while it got dark and had some dinner...

Then headed back to the hotel.