Channeling Bond in India

All guidebooks on India start with "You'll never be prepared for India" or "Batten down the hatches, here comes India" or something to that effect. Well, if you want to ease your way into India, start in Udaipur. It isn't frantic and stressful like Delhi nor is it too laid back and un-Indian like Fort Cochin, in my opinion, it's just right.

Udaipur is known as the Venice of India because of all the lakes and palaces that dot its landscape. I thought that was nice but when the guide said that this was where they filmed some scenes of Octopussy I suddenly sat up in my chair and paid attention (okay, so a good portion of my cultural make-up revolves around James Bond, shoot me).

The Lake Palace hotel and Jaisamand Island are the main attractions for me because from them you get a great view of the main city palace.

My wife and I sat there to catch the sunset, needless to say I started imagining myself in a white tux deftly clambering over the steep walls of the Lake Palace Hotel, otherwise known as Octopussy's Palace, only to helplessly get caught by a bunch of Bond babes. I wonder how Roger Moore made if over without getting completely soaked.

Did I mention I married a bond girl. My wife's second name is Melina . . . . . as in Melina Havelock from the movie "For Your Eyes Only". Man does she know how to handle a crossbow.