We went in search of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel...

and I think we found it!

We are here in Jaipur for a couple of days to see a bit of beautiful and unique Rajasthan.

It isn't really the Marigold Hotel but the UMaid Bhawan, and it is everything it is advertised to be.

Dilmeet again drew the short straw and had to accompany the old folks on another tour.  We are happy she did!

This is traditional Rajasthani architecture.  Quite amazing!

We had to memorize the route from the front desk to our room as it wound through narrow hallways, quiet sitting rooms and stairways, like a maze

The outdoor hallways have comfortable seating areas.

Rooms are large with delicately painted ceiling, traditional with all the modern conveniences.

After checking in at the Umaid Bhawan, we headed off to City Palace.  This was built around 1730 by Sawai Jai Singh II, the Maharaja of Jaipur.  It contains many buildings and courtyards.

Jaipur is known as the "Pink City."  We learned today that this is not because of the natural colour of the materials used in construction.  In 1853, the whole city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales.

 Part of the palace, the seven story building in the background, is still occupied by the royal family.

The Maharaja of Jaipur was not in today as is indicated by only one flag flying above his residence.

He was probably off playing with his friends as he is only 13 or 14 years old!!!

His grandfather died in 2011 and so Padmanabh Singh was crowned the Maharaja.

 Sawai Bhawan Singh (grandfather) and his wife had only one child, a daughter.  She could not inherit the throne but she bore two sons.  The eldest, Padmanabh, was adopted by his grandparents so there would be an heir.

Preparations were going on for a wedding at the site today.  One can only imagine the lavish parties that were held here at one time.

Much of the palace houses a museum.  As with many interesting places, photographs were not allowed inside.  We saw the area where the Maharaja held court, the chair he sat on and the lattice screening behind which the ladies had to sit.  They were not to be seen.

These two ladies were quite visible!

Evening came and we headed out to Chokhi Dhani, the "fine hamlet" displaying Rajasthani culture and works of artisans.

There was music and dancing at the outdoor site.

We had wonderful scalp, neck and back massages that started with some major thumping on the head.

And a ride on a camel!

And an even bigger ride on an elephant!

We all tried the big slide that started high up in a tree.  It was very fast so George was the only one the camera was quick enough to catch.

Next it was time to have that dinner of Rajasthani food--very spicy but good.

We chose the option of sitting on the floor and being served the traditional way.

I had to try carrying things on my head--sort of!

While Dilmeet and George joined a conversation with a fellow smoking a hookah pipe.

The evening ended with Dilmeet in the arms of a stranger!

We look forward to another interesting Rajasthani day tomorrow.