Jaipur had been wonderful. We had been insulated by a fine hotel and our tuk-tuk drivers kept us in the tourist places. But we had earned that privilege, if only for a few days. It had been an oasis on this chaotic journey. (Chaotic in my mind, still trying to cope, but relaxed at this moment).

The news of the death of the teaching assistant in England had hit the group. One death brought conversations of the loss of others and there was a depressed atmosphere.

We took our final tuk-tuk journey to the train station and boarded the comfortable train to Udaipur. We were on two separate carriages and I had my usual suspects with me. Gilly gave me the name of the station in Udaipur and we were too far apart on the train to communicate.

As the train pulled in to the last station before our stop we started to get our bags together only to notice Gilly and her group had got off the train and were on the platform as we pulled away. I checked and double-checked my orders – why had they got off. My students were quite excited about it. It was a small moment that allowed my business and management background to kick in. Without Gilly and now being totally responsible for my small group I revelled in these few minutes.

I explained, again, where our station was and the directions to the hotel that I had. Whatever and wherever the other group were, we would find our way and we would not have any problems.

At the station in Udaipur we disembarked from the train . Calmly we exited the station and found some taxis. I instructed each driver exactly where we were going and said we did not expect to end up at any other venue (remembering our detour to the shopping centre in Delhi).

I was in a Fiat taxi, with a giant driver called Mr Singh, it was my first direct experience with a Sikh. We exchanged pleasantries and I said that I knew he was such a fine gentleman that he would take us directly to the hotel. He smiled knowingly. As we drove towards the lake on the south side of the city he was a fine ambassador explaining where to go and what to see.

“I drive you straight to the hotel, but on the way we shall pass my brother’s shop.”

I had to laugh and he understood why.

Udaipur us famous for miniature paintings, I allowed him this drive-by, he did not stop and I told him we would try and find his brother’s shop later.

At the hotel the other taxis were waiting for us and we could see how magnificent this venue was.

The calendar had moved from October to November. The Lake Pichola Hotel was on the edge of the lake with magnificent views across to the old waterfront part of the city. The hotel relied upon its location and view and any shortcomings it may have had were immediately countered by being able to sit ob your balcony and look across the water.

I got everyone booked into their rooms and went to reception to wait for Gilly. I had taken control, kept everyone safe and got them into their hotel. I was quite proud of myself, every now and then you have to take some responsibility.

Eventually the other group turned up. I was happy to see them, but also used this one and only opportunity to laud it over Gilly. She had panicked when she saw the name Udaipur on a platform sign and had bundled everyone off the train. The fact that it was the wrong Udaipur station…

With the whole group together we ventured over the bridge and into the old quarter.

We set out to explore this old quarter of the city oblivious to the city that lay beyond. I suppose it’s like booking a hotel in Leicester Square, London and visiting the attractions without being aware of the expanse of London. But that is what we do as tourists, and we were in a mix of emotions from the joys of Jaipur to the sadness at the loss back home.

Udaipur would entrance, there are palaces, the lakes, holy buildings… all those in the next instalment. Today was about commemoration. I felt the one thing that I could do for the group was help them remember our friends back home.

We bought some flowers from a trader on the bridge. In the evening we stood on a balcony overlooking the lake with the lights shimmering in the distance.

I spoke about loss, how losing one person brings back memories of other losses and it is right to remember. I spoke of my memories of our friend and invited others to talk about theirs.

When all was quiet we dropped the petals into the lake and watch them float away. A short memorial. God bless and rest to our friend.

In memoriam.

Next… wonderful sights, sounds and smells of Udaipur.