The Shekhawati Region

After a good night sleep we were up early morning on the 2nd day of our trip for the visual splendor. We were ready by 8:00 a.m after the good continental breakfast. (Click on all the images for bigger & clear picture)

We visited various Havelis constructed by wealthy business men in the nineteenth century in the Shekhawati region. These Havelies are decorated with colored painting adorning their walls. But as the merchant families migrated, these visual attractions did not fade away and today they are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

Next we visited Mandwa's imposing fort, right in the center. Castle Mandawa was build in 1755 by Thakur Nawal singh, a descendant of Rao Shekha, the founder of Shekhawati. Two imposing gateways lead to the central courtyard where cannons stand as a reminder of the past when they were used to repel the enemy. The palace in the fort hosts beautiful paintings. At present it is converted into the most famous hotel in the region.

From Mandwa we moved to Fathepur. The town is packed with elaborately painted mansions, temples, wells and chhatris. The Hawelis in this region depict the scenes from Mahabarath and Ramayana.

With this due to shortage of time we decided to travel to Bikaner, the camel country.

Distance: Mandwa ---> Bikaner is 164 kms

P.S: Shekhavti comprises of important towns like Mandwa, Fathepur, Jhunjhunu, Nawalgarh.

Silver Cloud & Wind to Undergo Serious Refurb

Miami Beach played host to the annual Seatrade Cruising Shipping Convention this past week and several luxury lines, including Silversea Cruises, made statements to the press. Company execs unveiled plans for a massive dry-dock refurbishment of both the Silver Cloud and Silver Wind. The goal is to bring the interiors stylistically in line with the new 540-passenger Silver Spirit, scheduled for delivery in December 2009. The Silver Wind will spend November 2008 in dry dock, while the Silver Cloud will be retrofitted in May 2009.

Suites are in for many upgrades, including new bathrooms, carpets, flat-screen TVs, and more. According to Silversea, “Verandas will also be spruced up.” It will be interesting to learn what that exactly means.

Additional enhancements will include a new ocean-view spa and fitness center on Deck 9, a new Observation Lounge, eight new large suites on Decks 7 and 8, reduction of Vista Suites on Deck 4, and a new guest elevator connecting Decks 8 and 9.

“These will be the most comprehensive construction and refurbishment initiatives ever undertaken for Silver Cloud and Silver Wind,” said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea’s president and CEO. “The projects underscore our firm commitment to keep Silversea at the forefront of ultra-luxury cruising.”

This is a smart move since many of Silversea’s competitors are expecting delivery of new ships during the next few years. It’s wonderful to see Silversea reacting to the feedback of their passengers and customizing ships to meet the needs of all luxury cruise enthusiasts.

Don’t forget that Silversea also recently added the expedition ship Prince Albert II to its fold, so the company’s itineraries now encompass all seven continents.

Photo courtesy of Silversea.

Introducing Silversea’s Silver Spirt

Officials at Silversea Cruises took some time out at this week’s Seatrade Cruising Shipping Convention in Miami Beach to discuss its newly named all-suite ship: the Silver Spirit. Currently under construction at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard, the 540-guest vessel is scheduled to join the fleet in late 2009. Renowned Italian architect Giacomo Mortola is overseeing the design of the 36,000-ton, ultra-luxury vessel. The company also revealed a number of architectural details.

“Silver Spirit’s design will mirror the distinctive silhouette of our existing ships and will offer the same standards of luxury that our guests have come to expect,” said Manfredi Lefebvre, Silversea’s chairman. “But there will also be several significant enhancements, including a new supper club, an Asian-themed restaurant, and an expanded spa facility that will rival the best spas on land.”

The new ship will also feature those dining venues that have become favorites of Silversea guests, such as The Restaurant, the elegant main dining room; The Wine Restaurant, where the menu celebrates the most rarefied vintages; and the Pool Grille, offering casual poolside dining.

The Silver Spirit is being built with an eye toward what current passengers want. There are 270 ocean-view suites with an increased number of the most popular suite categories. There will be 26 Silver Suites, 222 Veranda Suites, six Grand Suites, and two Owner’s Suites. All but 12 suites will have verandas.

The new Spa at Silversea, which premiered aboard Silver Shadow’s World Cruise last year, will be rolled out aboard the new vessel in grand style with dramatically more space available to incorporate new design elements.

And Silver Spirit will feature many of the same public lounges found on the line’s existing ships, including an Observation Lounge, Vista Lounge (similar to Panorama Lounge on current fleet), Show Lounge, Humidor, and Pool Bar, plus a new Lobby Bar styled along the lines of a European hotel, featuring Italian coffees complemented by champagne, wine and spirits—all served at no charge.

Silversea’s forthcoming Silver Spirit will be one to watch. Mark your calendars for a December 2009 debut!

Illustration courtesy of Silversea.

New Music CD from SeaDream

I guess what they say is true: Everyone wants to be in the music business. SeaDream Yacht Club recently developed its own 12-track music CD, titled Dream, to capture the spirit of a SeaDream voyage.

Producers put together an eclectic mix of pop, rock, jazz, soul, R&B, and even some Bossa Nova. Order the CD now from SeaDream’s Boutique and you’ll hear Norah Jones, Bebel Gilberto, Marc Broussard, Samantha James, Erin Bode, James Hunter, and terrific musicians.

The Dream CD was spearheaded by Adrienne d’Annunzio, manager of the SeaDream Club and Charity Programs and is available for sale onboard SeaDream I and II and online via SeaDream’s Boutique at www.Seadream.com. Price is $16.98, not including shipping.

Photo courtesy of SeaDream.