16th and 17th March 2016 Home to Melbourne via stopover in Singapore

We woke to receive an early wake up call at 5.30am then our luggage was collected at 6.30am and our van/ shuttle was due to arrive at 6.45pm but due to tyre problems a replacement was found and arrived at 7.15am.  Our drive Mr. ted then drove like a man possessed to Phuket International Airport and made the trip in one hour 10 minutes instead of the planned 1 hour 25 minutes.

The checkin process was fine but it t took us somewhat longer yo pass through Immigration, but we were in the Thai Airlines First class lounge by 9.15 and we had about 45 minutes to wait until our Silk Airlines flight was called.  We boarded in seats 2D and 2F and really enjoyed a superb meal and comfortable flight to Singapore. 

Our week at JWMarriott Khou Lac resort was a perfect way to relax and fully recuperate following an amazing but gruelling holiday with Tauck in India.

Upon arrival in Singapore we caught the Skytrain around from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 then decided to ride the Free Singapore tour, although we had about 50 minutes to wait.

The weather was hit and humid, but not as severe as Phuket had been.  There were 14 others on the tour and we enjoyed our 3 hours travelling around Singapore and we stopped at the Merlion and then later near the Mosque but drove through all of the key tourist areas.

A very enjoyable day. 

We were back at Silver Kris lounge and Ken intended to have a shower and shave. The meal at the lounge was enjoyable, we had a couple of drinks and boarded at 11.10pm for 11.45pm departure.

After takeoff we both had our beds down and we slept well for nearly 5 hours before we were awoken by the stewardesses for breakfast, some 2 hours before landing. 

An excellent flight to end a wonderful holiday in India and Phuket, delighted to see Gavin awaiting to pick us up. 

14th and 15th March, 2016 Relaxing at Khou Lac beach resort.

Our days have become somewhat routine in this glorious resort beside the Andaman Sea in near perfect weather, but the extremely hot and highly humid weather determines what you can do. 

 14th March 2016-  Visit to local Township - Shopping and quiet time in our resort.

The previous evening we had enjoyed a beautiful international buffet in the Olive Restaurant   (our favourite restaurant in this resort), where the chefs developed a superb assortment of foods from across the world and served it as a large buffet from the entrance to the restaurant bout onto the lawn area.  It was framed with a pink and purple sunset with the Palm trees nswaying gently in the evening light wind.  Just perfect in paradise.  The range of varied food was just terrific.

We had earlier spent time on our balcony beside the 3km pool with Ken swimming and then we met and talked at length to our neighbours in Suite 4017. They are a German couple from Dusseldorf, who are spending 12 nights here as their enter break away from the Cold and snow of a late bitterly cold winter in Germany.

They are thoroughly enjoying the run and warmth and swimming.  After a time they disappeared to swim to the Aquamarine Bar and enjoy the cheaper drinks if happy hour. 

Jeanette and I have enjoyed the buffet but felt the highlight was the exquisite desserts and the varied range of sweets etc. 

We returned to our suite at 9.45pm and Ken concluded another book and we went to sleep at 11.15pm after another relaxing and enjoyable day.

We awoke to another perfect morning here in Paradise with clear blue skies,bathe pool and beach shimmering in the morning light.  Following breakfast Jeanette decided that we would travel into the local town , via the resort shuttle at 10.30am, then shop etc for a couple of hours , before returning to the resort after the shuttle picked us up at 13.30pm.  Ken booked the shuttle at cost of 100 Baht per person each way, ie aboutA$8 per person return.

The shuttle picked us up out front of reception and we again took some photos of the panoramic view from reception down to the fountains and then down to the beach.  The trip into town was uneventful.

But our shopping excursion and plans took a change of plan when after some 20 minutes we realised how extreme the heat and the humidity was away from the sea breezes of the beach area.

Nonetheless the town did present some shopping opportunities, where we found items that Jeanette had wanted and we promptly got ripped off at the first store to the extent of a couple of dollars.  He would have been happy and it didn't matter to us.  We walked some 300 metres  down the street and found an outlet where Jeanette was able to identify exactly what she was looking for, then whilst undecided the sales person reduced by another few dollars, so following our initial shopping where we were ripped off, this evened thins out.

At this time it was really too hot to do anything, but we identified a local Supermarket and then found a very pretty air conditioned little cafe, named Duo Cafe, which served very good cappuccino and malted milks.  We took the opportunity to have an extended break here before returning to the supermarket where we purchase beer and soft drinks at a fraction of the cost of the same at the resort.  The total for 4 soft drinks and 4 local beer was Baht 240, ie less than A$10.  Whereas here we are paying over A$8 per beer and A$5-6 for a soft drink.

We haven't been drinking wine because of the costs, which we believe are exorbitant.  A bottle of average wine is somewhere between 1900 - 2600 Baht or A$80-110.  That is wine that I would buy on a cruise ship for US $27 so approximately A$35.  A glass of wine is equivalent of A$13-21 for average wine.  But that is the only negative we have as to this beautiful resort.

The trip to return us passed by restaurants, laundry, tailors and a variety of smaller stores.

We returned to find our bed with Towel dog sitting waiting for us , being the third towel animal being presented by our room maid.  Back at the resort Ken arranged shuttle return to the Phuket International Airport with pickup at 6.45am and our flight departs at 10.15 am flying Silk Airlines the regional airline of Singapore Airlines . We will have a lengthy stopover in Singapore before departing at 11.45pm and we get to Melbourne at 10.10am and Gavin will pick us up a little later.

Drinks on the balcony pre dinner was a lovely way to finish another interesting day.

Dinner tonight is in the Thai restaurant with its Beautiful ambiance and we have thoroughly enjoyed the Thai food.  Ken selects a supposedly mild main course, following chicken satay, but the main course was dressed with a hot sauce and Jeanette couldn't stop laughing as Ken endured the hot spicy meal, consuming plenty of water.  Dessert was banana fritter with coconut ice cream. 

 We went to sleep after reading and Ken completed another sample of a mystery and was quite disappointed that he didn't have the full book.

15 March, 2016. Lazy day relaxing around the Resort 

Ken opens the room blackout curtains to the sound of people swimming down the pool and another clear perfect morning with not a cloud in the sky.

We enjoy the superb breakfast then take a walk to the beach passed the beach umbrellas and the beach loungers covered and reserved by the deep blue towels.  This has s son area of controversy as people are reserving beach front places with their towels early prior yo going to breakfast.

There are supposedly permit checkers who remove towels and place notes on those reserved loungers when people are absent for extended periods, not sure how it works.  Jeanette has a paddle in the Sea and says the water is warm and just beautiful.  We walk along the area loving the turquoise water and the stunning white sand with the dense forest some 300 metres along the beach foreshore. 

Following this we spend time in our suite and Ken does the check in.  Our seats were already booked by Victor, no apparent upgrade this time from Business to First on the Melbourne leg of our flights.

We are planning what to do in Singapore for our stopover and perhaps will do the hop on hop off bus.

This break has left us both fully recharged after our local excursion around this area following our wonderful Tauck - Portrait of India holiday. 

Today will be a relaxing day and afternoon after checking in and then packing mid afternoon with swimming and walking the beach earlier. It has just been great.

1 March 2016 Travel from Udaipur to Kerala and Kochi

We had a particularly early start because our day required air travel to Mumbai with a 5 hour stopover before we then joined another flight to Kerala in the South West of the Indian Continent. 

So we received a wake up call at 4.00am and departed  at 5.30am from the hotel for the 45 minute trip back to Udaipur Airport and then progressed through the mandatory 3-4 security checks before eventually boarding our flight back to Mumbai where we met our new guide.  Her name is Jeanette and she is beautifully dressed and speaks perfect English. Mumbai domestic terminal is a large modern bustling airport with people everywhere all talking loudly and seemingly just walking in any direction.

On reaching Mumbai we then depart the airport find our bus wth our driver and his assistant, vex change greetings and drive for nearly 70 minutes to see the Dholiwaller which is the communal laundry with the amazing hundreds of clothes lines and the washing which is done at a cost the 10 rupees per piece and no funds are charged and paid for until a total of 100 pieces are washed.  Whilst last year we walked into and then through the laundry complex, this year they are only allowing tour groups to observe from the railway bridge above.  It remains an amazing sight.

We were then accosted at the bottom of the bus and overlooking the laundry from the railway bridge, by about 50 hawkers all selling tourist junk.  But it is surprising what our group subsequently purchases.

Before departing the site we also watched local trains with people hanging from every doorway. Quite amazing being caught up in a sea of humanity.  We departed and then went to the Orchard Hotel for lunch before we returned to the airport for our floor get to Kochin. 

There is a more detailed discussion of our short stopover visit in Mumbai including some sightseeing, in the next post

13 March 2016. Life is tough here at JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort, Phuket, Thailand

We have now settled in really well and can confidently say this is a beautiful resort with the all inclusive deal that we have used via Luxury Escapes.  The resort is some 75-90 minutes from Phuket International Airport. 

It is in a spectacular setting, with a beach and pure white sand stretching for miles.  The rooms are 5 star with all mod cons and Superb air conditioning which works well in the extreme heat and humidity. We can walk directly out onto our balcony and just step into the pool, which feelss like bathwater.  This is the largest and longest pool in South East Asia stretching some 3,000 metres in an elongated E shape throughout the resort.  It is quite simply amazing and perfect to swim in.  Ken has been in between 2 and 3 times each day. He prefers this to the beach, which has quite a strong undertow and gets pretty deep quite quickly. 

There are hundreds of beach deck chairs out front in the beach area and on the grass in front of the Waterfront Restaurant and with white beach umbrellas it looks so picturesque with the palm trees swaying in the zephyr breeze.  But we find it too hot even under a beach umbrellas. 

The majority of people are Russian German, Swiss and Austrians with a sprinkling of English and Irish, no Americans and very few Aussies and Kiwis. 

For  the first 3 days we slept from about 10.30pm tthrough until 8.30am and that really reflects how tired we were after the wonderful but tiring Tauck - Portrait of India tour over 18 days with 2 additional days added at the end.  Our body clocks are now back to normal and we woke earlier at 7.10 am this morning. However, Jeanette is still not sleeping well with quite an interrupted night.  As a consequence she is tired during the day.

Breakfast is served inside or out at the Waterfront Restaurant and is one of the best buffet type breakfasts you can imagine. 

Lunch is also served there or out by the beach and is a mix of European and Thai / Asian food. 

For dinner we have the choice of several restaurants, we have now tried all three themed restaurants being Sakura, the Japanese Restaurant, then Olive the Live Mediterranean Restaurant with excellent nightly entertainment and Ta-Krai the superb local Thai restaurant.  We have enjoyed the Olive and Ta-Krai restaurants the best.  Tonight we will go to the Mediterranean buffet in Olive Restaurant.  Drink prices are steep with an average bottle of wine costing between A$70-110.  Beer is between A$8-12 per stubby and spirits between A$12-15 per glass.

The gym facilities are just superb very like the set up on a cruise ship.  The spa is a hive of activity.

Tonight they bring in local shopkeepers and set up a local market from 4.00pm - 8.00pm.  We will attend as Jeanette wants to look and purchase some items if the quality and price are reasonable. 

The wearher over these days has been remarkably consistent with clear blue skies, no wind and temperatures of 94-95 F degrees and 90% humidity, but no rain or any threat of rain.  This morning there are light cirrus clouds.

we were delighted that our stomachs behaved throughout the whole of our Indian itinerary, but there are some minor stomach issues here.  Again bottled water is the go. 

We also found out that we now leave here on 16th March arriving home mid- late morning on 17th March after a shortened stopover in Singapore one of our favourite cities.

Earlier we talked to Chris and Peita and briefly to Oliver, but not Seb.  We do look forward to seeing them toward the end of this next week. David is away playing tennis with friends in Euroa and we have had messages from him.   

Important news from our architect and builder our new home is progressing with lots of activity.  We look forward to seeing it and catching up on the detail on our return home. 

This beautiful resort has been a terrific place for some R & R before returning home.  We are fortunate in so many ways

9th and 10th March 2016 Bangkok to Phuket and Transfer and Arrival at J W Marriott Khao Lak Resort Phuket, Thailand.

We traverse Immigration and Customs relatively quickly in Bangkok, but experience some difficulty in locating the Thai Airways Silk Lounge for our lengthy 3 hour stopover.  Eventually we find the lounge and enjoy over 2 hours there prior to making our way to gate B2B to await our flight.  This lounge is the access point for buses out to our B777 aircraft.   

We are boarded on time and we sit in Row 12 A B ( business class) for the short 1 hour 40 minute flight.  Our departure is delayed 15 minutes through the late arrival and subsequent transfer of passengers. 

We have a pleasant flight, but again sleep almost all of this journey, we land on time, exit the plane collect our luggage at the International Baggage area , then pass through the terminal and after a couple of minutes find the agent for Marriott.  We have a five minute wait before Mr Len our driver arrives in his comfortable van , with excellent air conditioning, and we are on our way fit the almost 90 minutes drive from Phuket Airport to Khuk khak, Phang Nga and arrival at the beautiful JW Marriott  Khao Lak resort.

The drive is along Good roads and you are immediately taken by the tropical foliage as well as how clean everything is.  We subsequently reflect that over 3 weeks in India you become numb and conditioned to the dirt and poverty.  The weather here is 93 degrees F and 90 percent humid under clear blue skies.

The drive takes us along a Coastal roadway with glimpses of beautiful beaches, but you are not prepared for the beautiful stunning resort and its white sand.  The reception area is a superb building styled very much in the Thai and Indonesian style with teak furniture.  We are provided with towels and drinks upon arrival then "Money" checks us in and escorts us to our Suite which is on the ground floor with direct access to the largest infinity pool in South East Asia.

Jeanette decides that we will skip lunch and instead unpack and then go to sleep for approximately 5 hours.  We are delighted to be here, in superb scenery and upmarket facilities. 

We book dinner at the Olive Restaurant, serving Italian food have an excellent meal and then catch up on emails and send Sebastian an e-card for his 6th birthday then sleep through the night until 7.30am. 

On checking Facebook we receive a post from Peita of Seb celebrating his birthday. We will call later and talk to him.

7th and 8th March 2016 - Sightseeing Mumbai

The majority of our Tauck friends have all departed after breakfast.  It is a time to reflect and Ken does want to visit several of the tourist and important municipal sites around Southern Bombay.  Following breakfast he catches a blue cab ( air conditioned) cab from the Oberoi to the Taj Palace and takes photos and then walks to Colada Causeway which is a shopping market area of hundreds of stalls and small stores. 

From here he the catches a cab to the Bustling precinct near the High Courts with the aim of taking photos of this spectacular architecture and also the cricket fields called "Oval Maidan" which is a large rectangular plying field area in the middle of South Bombay, used exclusively for 5 playing fields.

Ken then walks passed the High Court and to RAJABAI Tower for photos and then crosses Veer Nariman Road and the Central Telegraph Office building and then quite a long walk down Maharashi Karve Road a major thoroughfare.  He takes photos of a variety of buildings as well as the sacred cow grazing on the footpaths at several corners.  Then he begins the long walk back to the Oberoi via Madam Carna Drive and it winds its way through the Government District and also passed several areas which are residential locations for government, military and railway personnel. 

Eventually his walk brings him back to Marine Drive, where he walks some 1500 metres to the Brabourne Stadium and Cricket Club of India, it I was denied access even to take photos because with the preliminary rounds of the World Cup commencing tomorrow security was very tight.  Also I didn't have my MCC membership card.   Then walk back to the air conditioned joy of our Oberoi Hotel.

This has been a terrific second last morning and following lunch decide to have a swim in the beautiful pool.  Ken spends 45 minutes then showers and changes and we relax.

8th March 2016 Shopping at Colaba Shops and Lunch at famed Leopold Cafe .

We sleep very well and again awake a little later before breakfast.  It is our last day here and we really have had a wonderful nearly 3 weeks in India with many highlights and a great tour. 

This morning we plan to get a cab late morning early afternoon to visit Colaba Road and Jeanette wishes to complete her shopping activities.  Then we aim to have a late lunch at the famous Leopold Cafe Bar and Restaurant before returning to the hotel, finalise our packing and await pick up at 7.00pm.

We pack and our cases are collected at 12.00pm then we leave. We are dropped off by our blue cab, after talking cricket, then we walk and visit several small stores all willing to sell you anything.  We do make some purchases and eventually get to Leopold Cafe at 1.45pm and enjoy a scrumptious meal and 2 Kingfisher beers and soft drinks.  We then walk back to the beautiful Taj Palaces Hotel and catch a blue cab back to the Oberoi at approximately 3.30pm.  We now have approximately 2 hours 15 minutes before Wahid our guide and Tauck rep will pick us up and we make the trip to the beautiful new BOMBAY Airport (International).  Wahid from Garha Travel (09871844501) calls and requests that we depart for the Airport at 6.15pm. He advises traffic is very heavy.  He is prove. Correct with our trip to the Airport taking almost 2 hours, but we arrive at 8.30pm and he the. escorts us through booking check in and to security, where we pass through very quickly.  We are on the lounge by 8.50pm with our flight confirmed at leaving at 11.20pm.  We subsequently find that we are upgraded to First Class on the Thai flight and both Jeanette and I sleep almost 4 hours on the flight, missing meals and everything else.

To go back to our trip to the airport, we were amazed how 5 lanes of marked freeway can manage to handle 6 lanes of vehicles as well as two wide of motor vehicles, thus 8 lanes are somehow made from the marked 5 lanes.  Everyone continuously honks and toots their horns.  This is definitely another place whereI would not drive. 

We enjoy the flight from Mumbai to Bangkok, we have previously enjoyed Thai Airways and this is the same.  At Bangkok we are required to pass through Immigration and Customs before going back through Transit and then to the Thai Silk lounge to await our flight to Phuket.

6 th March 2016. Explore Mumbai - Just Magical !

We return to the Oberoi to join the rest of the group for lunch in the adjoining hotel named Trident Hotel in the Frangipani Restaurant.  We arrive at 12.45pm. Scheduled but our tour group does not return until almost 2.00pm with the news that one of our group, Luther, has succumbed to the oppressive heat and humidity and taken a turn. We are all concerned, but subsequently hear that he  has recovered well and will join thei group for our final cocktail party at 5.00pm.

Everyone arrives at5.00pm for our final cocktail party and we are each requested to present our favourite highlight.  There are many deep and thoughtful comments.  This has been a very good tour led by our highly skilled Tour Director Peter Pappas (ppappas@tauck.com)

Jeanette and I have enjoyed this brilliant tour staying in accommodation that is out of this world.  We have made several new friends some of whom we expect will become long them life friends. 

We wil leave India with a mix of feelings and observations.  A friendly people, massive population issue, all seeking to do better but tied to the caste system.  Economically robust developing with a keen highly educated population.  Corruption and influence is ingrained.  Something wonderful to show as far as history and the monuments.  The excitement, the smells, the colours and the spices all are magical.  The food has been a pleasant surprise.  We have remained healthy throughout. 

The decision to use Tauk was wise irrespective of the costs.  Their administrative skills logistical management is just amazing.  To top it off a great guide and pleasant tour group ensures that this will be a tour with memories we long cherish. 

We have another day here before a late flight to Bangkok followed by a domestic flight to Phuket. There we will relax for 8 nights before we fly to Singapore for 2 days then home to Melbourne.

It has been a Wonderful experience.  We can honesty say we have seen nothing like India including th good, the bad and the ugly

5 th March, 2016 - Transfer from Kerala to Mumbai

This is really a day of travel to transfer us from Kerala via a drive back to Kochi over a timeframe of some 3 hours and then a flight to Mumbai and transfer to the iconic Mumbai Oberoi Hotel. 

To date everything has worked like clock work, but we are to run into a bureaucratic shambles at the airport with a significant delay as our plane has been delayed flying out of Mumbai due to several incidents.  We hear more ,but all remains confirmed so no point in commenting. Little did we know of any coming issues or events until we are enjoying a beautiful buffet luncheon at Marriott Courtyard hotel some 2 minutes from Mumbai domestic terminal.

Our guild Peter Pappas comes to each group at lunch with a downcast look.   He visits each of us during the lunch to advise that there are delays hopefully of short duration, but he cannot advise further details.  Well this goes on for the next 90 minutes so we assume our 1.35pm flight is delayed for 1-2 hours at worst. 

The decision is made to get us all into the terminal and be positioned through security and to make the worst of a difficult situation.  So we board our coach ,reach the terminal and now find that despite our aircraft supposedly being en-route, there is now  no scheduled departure time.  Without going into detail, we eventually board at 17.30 pm but do not depart until 18.45pm and our 1 hour 45 minute flight takes 2.10 hours.  We eventually arrive in Mumai at almost 21.00pm then meet our guide Jeanette and have an hour 20 minutes to the Oberoi.

We drive passed several of the iconic Mumbai buildings and eventually reach the Oberoi at 10.25pm.  The Oberoi Mumbai hotel is everything we were promised.  It is simply beautiful and our suite is luxurious with views over the Queen's necklace better known as Marine Boulevard.  The lights at night are just beautiful.

A long frustrating day compounded by a lack of advice and Communications.  But we are in Mumai the"City of Gold"' and home to 22 million people, nearly the same population as all of Australia.  But the delay has significantly impacted our sight seeing . This will also impact tomorrow morning.

3rd March, 2016. Cruise aboard Kerala Houseboats.

This is another quieter day as we have a late breakfast and prepare following a town walk and exploration of the resort, for the late morning boarding of the traditional Kerala Houseboats / Riceboats for a 3 hour cruise through the beautiful still lagoons of the "Venice of the East" and enjoy a Kerala style buffet luncheon prepared by a local cook in the tiny kitchen at the rear of the boat.  We have 4 couples on our boat and spend the majority of the time up front in the well furnished lounge enjoying the zephyr breeze and then the lunch. 

Jeanette and I did cruise on a similar backwater cruise last year and again it was very enjoyable.  We would have benefited from having a local guide commentary, but that is a small criticism for what has been a superb lunch and afternoon.  The trip back to the resort by the Riceboat is adventurous as he knocks the wing front (decorative) off the front as he docks.  Little did we know it was a regular event and the front wing is joined onto the hull with a connecting rope which allies recovery. 

After a quiet 2-3 hours we assemble for a spectacular martial arts demonstrations by a group of young men showcasing the Kalaripayattu form of martial arts.  It represents the most comprehensive martial arts personal combat training system anywhere in the world. Perhaps the highlight of a stunning presentation was the flexible and somewhat unique weapon called the Kerala sword called the Urumi, which folds in a small circular belt worn at the waist before being unleashed as a frightening weapon of a long sword. 

Another interesting and very enjoyable day.  We dined at the lakeside villa restaurant and had a seafood meal. 

2 March 2016 Drive from Kochi to Kumarakom

This was a relaxed morning with a later start and a 3 hour drive from Kochin to Kumarakom driving through the many seaside villages of this coastal area of coastal Kerala, and of course wherever we look we see spectacular palm trees swaying gently in the wind.  The temperature  remains hot 95 degrees F with humidity of 85 percent but no rain is forecast. 

The beautiful Kumarakom Lake Resort is another superb resort, this is old fashioned resort with individual villas with dark teak interiors and all of the main reception centre an eating and relaxing areas are open.

our unit/ villa is number 124 and we have a pathway that takes up passed our swimming lagoon and to our private entranceway.  A beautiful bedroom and separate sitting area and an outside Latrene bathroom area which after you get used to it is very functional in this hot humid environment.  Clearly this is very much a quiet relaxing refresher after the rigorous first 12 days. 

The group then meets pre dinner out on the lawns and overlooking the beautiful lake to watch the sunset and see the riceboats coming home for the evening.  We are then entertained for 45 minutes by authentic cultural Mohiniattam dancers who provide an insight into local Indian dancing cultures.  According to their Indian culture and mythology, Mohini was an enchantress who seduced people, but today this dance takes the history. And relates more around love and devotion to God.

We dine tonight on a sumptuous Indian meal in the Restaurant and we eventually turn in after a long  but enjoyable day. It is still 85 degrees at 10.30pm.

3rd March 2016. Kerali and Kochin

We flew to Cochin via Mumbai after an extremely early start and the flight was comfortable from Udaipur to Mumbai and then we met our local guide.

In Mumbai we drove from the airport and visited the Dhobi Ghat laundry area which was fascinating to view the many clothes lines hanging with washing completed that morning.  Following drying it is ironed and then pressed and folded for return that afternoon and evening to a variety of areas and suburbs across Mumbai.  Whereas last year Jeanette and I visited and watched first hand the washing and drying we observed by standing upon a railway bridge and overlooking the laundry areas.   

The guide then took us for a short drive to the Orient Hotel near the airport where we had a sumptuous Indian buffet luncheon. We then departed and navigated entry to the domestic terminal at Mumbai airport where we still had about a 2 hour wait for our flight.  We took the opportunity to visit many of the smaller shops at the airport. 

 Cochin (Kochi) is a Temperate climate similar to Queenslands coast with many lakes and the beautiful palm trees and of course Banaas.  We arrived mid afternoon and then we had a one hour drive from the airport to our hotel the beautiful Taj Malabar Hotel with its beautiful teak interior.  Kochi is known as the Quen of the Arabian Sea and is enticing with a rich Portugese and then Christian culture dating back to the 15th Century.  It was settled by the Portugese and spread across several islands servicing the trade routes with the Arabs from the area now known as Saudi Arabia and to the east the Indonesian and Malaya strait sailors.  Even the Chinese developed a significant influence.

The area is known as the Mattancherry District the following day we explore the amazing Jewish District with its shopping g and especially lace and linens, This area was established some 6 centuries and whilst the numbers of Jews has severely diminished and the several synagogues now are reduced to one active Synagogue, which we visited, the area remains a bustling and thriving area with merchants selling tea, spices, woodcarving and antiques in addition to the many linemen cooperatives. 

Our local guide allows us some 45 minutes to wander before we are again back on the bus and undertake visits to the superb Dutch Palace, the St.Frnacis Church dating back to 1510, which was also the temporary burial site for Vasco de Gama.  We then saw Fort Cochin , the oldest European site in India which is a significant contrast with quiet streets and and architecture significantly influenced by both the Dutch and more latterly the English.

3 March 2016 Kerala - Kumarakom Lake Resorts

We leave Kochi from the beautiful Taj resort for a 3 hour drive North West along scenic roads beside the backwater lakes to arrive at the spectacular Kumarakom Lakes resort at about 1.15pm. 

The drive takes us through the back water ways and after an hour we see the Riceboat / houseboats which we will cruis upon tomorrow for lunch and a leisurely afternoon. 

The greeting and welcome consists of towels, drinks and garlands of flowers,m but the most striking issue is the stunning 95F degree temperature and the 85% humidity, making being outside in the direct sunshine almost impossible.  We are then taken to lunch in an open dining room with a superb vista over the lake with several boats sailing by in close proximity.  There is a light zephyr breeze but you need to sit in close proximity to the fans. 

Following a beautiful lunch in the Vembanad Restaurant  we are shown to our villas as we cross over small bridges and water ways with beautiful ntropical gardens beside the brick pathway .  The villa consists of a sitting area, with large king bed adjoining and then an outside open bathroom / Latrene. Fortunately, the interior is well air conditioned, because otherwise the heat and humidity would be extreme.  Out front of the villa behind a pivate screened garden is our private pool, it does look very inviting.

At 6.00pm we gathered for a welcome reception, followed by spectacular Southern India dance presentations for about 45 minutes then a traditional Indian dinner out on the lawns under a clear star lit evening.

We retire at 10.30pm after a relaxing and quiet day in beautiful surroundings. 

Jeanette sleeps well and we rise to another perfect morning with clear blue skies and a boiling sun. There is a local walk through the Streets of the small coastal resort at 9.30am but decide against given the already hot and humid mid morning.

Breakfast is a buffet / smorgasbord set in another restaurant overly owing the lake. We enjoy a full breakfast served by friendly efficient staff. 

We have a morning of leisure before we depart at 12.00pm for our 3 hour cruise on the Riceboat and have a relaxing luncheon. 

Our  Villa has a private pool out front and Ken will swim and relax there this afternoon following our return.  It is a perfect environment, but too hot to do anything.

Several other of our tour colleagues are taking a 3 man boat trip along the narrower waterways and will join us at 12.00pm for the Riceboat cruise.

1 March 2016 Udaipur to Kerala and Kochi

We had a particularly early start because our day required air travel to Mumbai with a 5 hour stopover before we then joined another flight to Kerala in the South West of the Indian Continent. 

so we received a wake up call at 4.00am and departed the hotel for the 45 minute trip back to Udaipur Airport and then progressed through the mandatory 3-4 security checks before boarding our flight back to Mumbai where we met our new guide.  Her name is Jeanette and she is beautifully dressed and speaks perfect English. 

On reaching Mumbai we then depart the airport and drive for nearly 70 minutes to see the Dholiwaller which has the communal laundry with the amazing hundreds of clothes lines and the washing which is done at a cost the 10 rupees per piece and no funds are charged and paid for until a total of 100 pieces are washed.

We were then accosted at the bottom of the bus and overlooking the laundry from the railway bridge, by about 50 hawkers all selling tourist junk.

Before departing the site we also watched local trains with people hanging from every doorway. Quite amazing being caught up in a sea of humanity.  We departed and then went to the Orchard Hotel for lunch before we returned to the airport for our flight to Kochin.  The flight was 1 hour 45 minutes and as you approach the South you notice the immediate transformation of green landscape and water everywhere.  We subsequently found out that the area has over 3000 mm ie 120 inches concentrated in the Monsoon months.

Our hotel is located on the harbour before the entrance to the backwater area named Vivanta by Taj.  It is a beautiful property with lush green lawns and garden running down to the water and beautiful antique teak furnishings throughout.

The temperature here is daily 94 F plus with 85-90 percent humidity but with no rainfall until later this month and April with h.eavy afternoon showers before the full monsoon arrives in late May early June annually. 

At 5.10pm we depart from the mooring on a sunset cruise through the harbour area and see the Chinese fishing nets (crane like) whilst cruising in Cochin Harbour.  we see a superb sunset and then slowly take in the many spectacular homes built during the Portugese and English reigns of this city. 

Dinner is in the Hotel at "Rice Steamboat" restaurant and we had a superb meal including lobster and Jeanette enjoyed the Chef's sampler. We sat with Jim and Rosie and Jean and Jim.  They  have become good friends. 

The next morning came quickly and we have a very buy morning with a breakfast in "Pepper" restaurant followed by an excellent lecture on this area and the geo politics of the rise of India post the English withdrawal and independence and the international icon and the economic powerhouse which is the emerging India today. 

Then we visited the Mattencherry District here in Cochin where we visited the Dutch Palace and the Jew Area and Synagogue and did some shopping before lunching at Brunton's Boatyard in the "Armoury Restaurant ".  It was a superb meal of several courses of Indian food served in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the harbour and the passing sea traffic of many large container and cargo ships as well as a myriad of passenger ferry vehicles.  There is a large Costa cruise ship in the port as part of a world cruise leg, so the local traffic increased dramatically and made movement both more difficult and time consuming.

We then returned to the Hotel for about 2 hours to rest and use the wonderful lounge, spa and other facilities before departing for Nimmy Paul's home where she is to provide a cooking demonstration and then serve a meal. Nimmy Paul is an Indian celebrity chef who entertains from her house and teaches her cooking.  A night to remember with a wonderful meal.

Back to the hotel at 9.20pm then do some packing as we then move on to another resort in Kerela / Cochin called Kumarakom Lake Resort which is one of India's premier resorts. 

28 February. Udaipur The Markets and Hindu Temple.

After yesterday's relaxing but busy day we have a quieter start and a less taxing day. 

We Rise early and after a beautiful breakfast we have some spare time to research the resort before we depart at 10.30am for a visit to the famous markets.  We begin this with a frantic tuk tuk ride where a convoy of 17 tuk tuk vehicles assemble taking our group of 30 plus, 2 local guides and our tour director , Peter Pappas, who is a very big man.  Jeanette has slept well for the first time in several nights and fells much better.  She made a wise decision yesterday to skip the Hindu Temple with the many stairs.

The tuk tuk trip is chaotic, but amazing as we swing in and out of traffic before stopping 20 minutes later outside the Delhi Gate , the symbol of the commencement  of the market areas.

for the next 95 minutes we walk slowly through and in a variety of vegetable and every other food store.  Interspersed among the food store is a combination of stores selling every other implement, fabric, cooking spices and several retailers selling shoes.  There are bustling crowds everywhere selling, buying and cleaning food items for sale.

in all honesty, it was interesting but went on for too long.  The men then returned to the Hotel for a pizza and beer lunch and Jeanette and 4 other women then went on to other stores. 

Ken returned for lunch ,but also his shirts are being delivered this afternoon for further trying and refining.  Jeanette continued shopping with Jean and other ladies and purchased a beautiful bed spread but failed re table clothes and napkins.

The shirt store person arrived at 2.05pm, but after trying them on, we decided that there was a need for alterations.  These will be completed and returned by 6.00pm this evening. 

Ken is going swimming now before we need to repackage our gear and clothes for shopping to Kockin.

These have bee an excellent 3 nights here at the Oberoi , Udaivilas, Udaipur.  Wonderful weather of 27 degrees, with a cooling breeze, trying to sort out the itinerary and the shopping, but enjoying this clean well educated city which continues to grow in fame for food, tourism education, weddings etc. 

This evening we are packing because we have a 4.45am wake up call and we then fly to Mumbai prior to a lengthy stopover before we fly to Kerrali and Kochi. 

25 February 2016 Veranasi to Agra and then to beautiful Jaipur (the pink city)

Well having enjoyed the subtleties of the spiritual bathing and the ceremonial role of the Ganges River in the Hindu spiritual life, we leave this morning for the spectacular Agra and the Taj Mahal. We are again deposited at the amazing Acravillas of the Oberoi Hotel Group and you can only describe these hotels, palaces and resorts are by far the most amazing accommodations we have experienced anywhere in the world. 

We arrive mid afternoon after travelling for some 4 hours and flying from Varanesi on Air India 737 and enjoying the flight in comfortable economy seats.  We were tired but also anticipatory as to the highlight of the amazing Taj Mahal.  You also hope that there is no let down and that the reality matches the story and the hype. Suffice to say this amazing monument is everything we expected and more.

Our trip to the Taj Mahal was five minutes drive down the recently refurbished avenue out the front of our resort.

The entry is via one of the Red Sandstone gates and into a Parkland area before you enter through a scalloped gateway which highlights the beauty of this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Building.  So our first glimpse on this near perfect morning is through the archway which is portraying and framing the beautiful tomb. 

I should also comment on our room which is 231 and each room has a different view of the Taj Mahal. We look down over green lawns and superb bougainvillea of red, purple and orange. The unbelievable pool area sits in front of the hotel and you look over it toward the Taj Mahal. At about 4.15pm Ken goes downstairs and sits in the Maharaja Bar with a beer, in the longe bar, he is sitting overlooking the dome of the Taj Mahal. There is dancing out on the balcony above the pool area with the Taj Mahal behind in the background.

We dined in house in the all cultures restaurant and enjoy our meal.  So to go back to our early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, we have now entered, gone through the large entry gate and walk down the pathway to the beautiful gardens and trees, which offset and cool the whole site.

The Taj Mahal is sited above one of the major tributary to the Ganges, it is a stunning vista.  We now put on our soft shoe covers because we are now about yo enter the central mausoleum where the tomb of the Queen and subsequently the King are enshrined within the

Taj Mahal.  You can only describe the beauty, stunning art work and inlaid colours and gold within the white marble as quite stunning.  We walk through the various compartments and passageways for about 1 hour enjoying a detailed explanation from our guide. 

Of course we take photos and then our guide slowly walks us along the pool, but we are a little late to catch the pool reflection. But it is simply a wonderful architectural structure of striking design and colours.

we are subsequently allowed 40 minutes to walk around and take photos from all angles.  We have done well and complete our amazing visit in just under 2 hours.  Yes a highlight of every trip we have made.  The beauty and colours are just spectacular. 

We are all in a state of nervous excitement and our guides highlight that the next visit to Agra Fort is just as spectacular as we visit the largest working Fort and army base where about 20% is now a UNESCO museum and the balance remains a large fort used by the Indian Army.  We arrive after travelling some 45 minutes. It is a particularly tight security environment, but the scale of the fortified building now called a Fort is awesome.  We walk over the bridge from the Moat (no longer water and crocodiles) and then proceed up a steep gradient driveway within perfectly aligned walls with armoured ports about each 6 feet apart.

We the walk through the variety of halls and residences appreciating the stunning wealth employed in developing these immense fortresses which dominate the surrounding areas. We visit several levels climbing through wide passageways and a few immense stair cases. 

we then walk through courtyards and dancing halls and entertainment Veues.  Yes a truly amazing visit dominated by the immense scale, wonderful colours of the dynamic red sandstone, which changes colours and shadings as the sun changes its position. 

it is after this visit before returning for a late lunch had a warning as to transport difficulties with the raid being closed by demonstrators for almost 2 days of protest.  We are alerted to the possible need to drive back to Delhi and then fly to Juiper if the road passage is too risky.

This is the way it turns out next morning, but in the meantime we spend time covering prior to dinner in the beautifully designed and decorated Indian specialty restaurant here at Oberoi Acravils in Agra.

We are all tired but the transport issues do condemn us to a long drive of 4 hours back to Delhi and we again board an Air India 737 for the 35 minute flight in the air after taxiing along the Delhi Airport.

Our flight lands at about 2.45pm in the pink city of Juiper where we are met by our guilds and a rental bus and we depart the airport at 3.10 and then visit the Janta Manatar Astronomical Park and Museum for a display of unbelievable scientific tools used in astronomy here in India and in particular Jaiper.

We spent 50 minutes then walking through this site before we head to the nearby Museum of Clothing and head wear from the Maharajas and then visit the Palace and its reception rooms used by the Kings and Prince.  The palace is just superb and the president Mr. Modi resides here during the summer. During our visit we become aware that Juipur is home to such treasures as Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the Janta Mantar Observatory.

The Hawa Mahal Palace was originally constructed to allow women of the court the opportunity to watch the activities taking place in the bazaar.  The building is shaped as a crown adorning Lord Krishna's head. 

The City Palace covers one seventh of the city area in the heart of Jaipur.  The first floor houses fine Muslims, Benares sits, local hand printed cottons and embroidered fiats from Northern India.

Upon concluding we departed for a special dinner at the Rambagh  Hotel where were greeted by musicians, elephants, camels and we were serenaded up to our dinner venue in the open on a balcony overlooking the grounds, then this was taken over by musicians and dancers in our honour.  I cannot really describe the magnificent splendour and grandeur of the Hotel and the dinner and entertainment.  Quite simply one of the best evenings we have enjoyed anywhere in the world.

We slept very well , in fact overslept, showered and changed for breakfast and then we travelled to Amber Palace and  Fort which commenced with a tough jeep ride up to the entrance ans some others rode elephants.  We chose the jeep ride, you have no idea how tough it was and how they drive anywhere at any time.

The tour then took some 2 hours 30 minutes exploring the many rooms and the gorgeous art and glass and mirrors.  Just unbelievable.  There are beautiful gardens and fountains all designed to aid the cooling during the summer months. The rooms are extravagant in every way.  This has been an exceptional visit to the Pink City. 

we are then treated to a surprise luncheon at the Raj Palace 

We return to the Rajvilas, Oberoi Hotel for the afternoon, rather than participate in shopping for fabrics or jewellery.  Ken has a swim in the beautiful pool.  Jeanette puts somethings on Facebook.

Dinner tonight in another beautiful restaurant. 

Tomorrow we depart early and fly to Udaipur.

23rd February, 2016. Day 5 Ganges River Cruise and Fly to Agra and Visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

We commented in the previous post about the viweing of sunrise and then the ritual bathing and purification ceremony in the River Ganges.

The bus delivered us back at the hotel for breakfast and then to transfer to the Airport for our mid day flight to Agra where we are staying at the unbelievably beautiful - The Oberoi Armavilas, Agra.

We arrive on schedule and we were the last flight out prior to hold ups with Prime Minister's flights back to Delhi.

The afternoon is then used to relax and to take in the majestic Hotel and resort and its superb facilities.  Ken has a beer in the main bar sitting looking out directly at the Taj Mahal in the distance beyond the distant green fields. Every room has a view out to the magical Taj Mahal.  We relax, Jeanette has a sleep and Ken takes photos.  This is probably the best resort we have stayed in anywhere in the world.  It is so hard to describe.

We dine peacefully alone and also get our laundry right. Tomorrow a visit to the Taj Mahal and then later drive to the Red sandstone Agra fort , a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

We wake to a perfect morning of clear blue skies with no breeze and a large moon disappearing.  A small group go out to see the Taj Mahal at Sunrise where it takes on a pink tinge.  We decide to wait.  But there is already a significant sense of expectation.

At 8.45AM we depart and arrive at the Taj Mahal outer gates some 10 minutes later.  We then walk through the entrance gateway and take in our first sighting of the spectacular Taj Mahal in awe of its majestic beauty.  You do not realise the symmetry and beauty highlighted by the beautiful garden and associated Mosque.   We had group and individual photos taken and they will be excellent momentos.

Our guides then break our group up into several groups of 8-10 and we enjoy a stunning guided tour through a beautiful site on a perfect morning.  We put our protective coverings over our shoes and walk through the exterior entrance ways and into the central ceremony areas where the various tombs were displayed.  The colours and beauty are undescribeable and every movement of the sun's rays gives a different perspective.

We are in awe and our guides create the perfect viewing scenario with both a history and a socio politic description of its beauty and relevance.  The photos fropm many angles are worth a million words.  Just wonderful.

We meet at about 10.50AM having enjoyed a spectacular visit and are grateful to our guides for their work.  We are transferred back to the hotel for a time to pick up our wallets and other cameras etc, which we couldn't take into the Taj Mahal.  we meet and board our Orange Tauck
bus and now depart for the 10 minute drive to the Agra Fort.

Now this is also a stunning experience because we see this beautiful dynamic mmmoth Fort built between 1565 and 1573 and it is a gargantuum size of 2.5 KM by 1.2 km and studded with separate Castles and chambers.  Today over 2/3 of the total site  is still a working Army base.

We then proceed to have a guided tour lasting some 90 minutes.  It is simply amazing to see the size, scale and clarity of the design.  the various architectural styles incorporated are simply stunning as is the quality iof the finish.

The Red Sandstone is amazing in everyway..

Agra Castle is certainly a Wonderful UNHCR World Heritage site of immense international significance, demonstrating every facet of the strength, skill and capability of the artisans back in that time frame.

We are free after lunch hence the opportunity to begin to write our diary and blog with just some of our details.  to date it has been an amazing holiday.

23rd February, 2016. Delhi to Varanasi (Day 5 and Day 6 )

After a couple of wonderful days seeing both Old and New Delhi we are scheduled to depart the beautiful Oberoi Delhi and fly to Varanasi.

Our flight is scheduled for 11.45AM but unbeknown to us our guide Peter advises that the Prime Minister Mr Modi, is also scheduled to arrive and visit this sacred river city beside the River Ganges.

Hence our departure is scheduled for 9.00AM with our flight scheduled to depart at 10.45AM arriving in Varanasi at 11.50AM.   But despite the best efforts we are held up and our flight departs something like 20 minutes later and then we find out that the next 15 flights are delayed and grounded for the Prime Minister to leave.

Security at the airport is very tight but we all get through quite quickly.  We depart late and arrive at 12.15PM and disembark the aircraft and walk through the lounge to where we are greeted by our representative and guide.

We then are taken to the Hotel a Taj Central Garden property which is very comfortable. Our luggage is picked up and transported to our Hotel and in our rooms before we arrive.

At 2.45PM we depart the hotel for an excursion and visit for the afternoon sight seeing to the famed Archeological / Buddhist site at Sarnath as well as the National Museum (Archeological).  We enjoy a particularly enjoyable excursion with several important sitesand also visit the site where Buddha makes his first address.  We are surprised that National treasures in the National Museum are hundreds and thousands of years old and priceless but not particularly well preserved.  The displays are fabulous and quite amazing.

We return from our trip and dine in the Varuna Kebab Restaurant.  It is another terrific day.  Later we depart to visit the Ganges from where we undertake a boat ride and later witness the nightly crematorium and washing of the bodies in the Ganges before they are then burned under the cremation ritual with a fire of 600kg of wood.  this is a sacred sight and goes 24 X 7 and the priests and families bring their deceased love ones to the water cremation ceremony where there is singing and special services.

It is a moving and memorable process and we are fortunate to see the process.   There are hundreds of people and there is constant chanting.   The process is eerily quiet at certain times.

After some 40-50 minutes watching about 7 services and ceremonies we then depart and travel further down the river where the Buddhists are preparing for the evening prayer services which will be led in front of somewhere like 10,000-20,000 people and it is very much like a celebration with signing , dancing and the fire act to conclude.  we all throw marigolds and candles into the river Ganges following preayer.  

Then back to the Hotel at about 10.45PM with an early start tomorrow.

The alarm rings at 4.30AM and we are showered and dressed to depart at 5.45AM because we are about to withness the famed ritual of the swimming in the Ganges.  to go back Varanasi is one of the world's oldest cities nestled on the banks of the sacred River Ganges.  Varanasi has welcomed pilgrims since the 6th Century BC all blessing and purifying themselves inthe river's celebrated Holy Waters in sacred daily celebrations and ceremonies.  We have an amazing 2 hours firstly traversing the city centre and the thousands of shops and also many beggars.  We then ewalk down the Ghats ( High stairs) to the water where we board a small craft with our guide and then sail further down the river and sit off shore to see the beautiful sunrise and also celebrate our presence in the holy shrine.

At about 6.15AM the people come to begin the Holy process of bathing and swimming.  It is an amazing process and ritual with loud Buddhist signing.  We watch with amazement a golden sun rise over the far bank and throw an eclectic range of colours across the many coloured castles and Hotels where people now come often to spend their last months prior to their death and then undergoing the traditional process of cremation beside the Ganges.

We return to the hotel all somewhat mystified but emotionally shaken by the cremation procedures as the amazing evening prayer service, followed the next morning by the bathing and purifying processes.  These have been anazing experiences.  You cannot describe the emotionally charged atmosphere and the thousands of people everywhere in apparent squalor but happy and committed to their life and their religion.

20th February, 2016. Day 3 - Exploring Old Delhi (20February,2016)

We awoke after a good nights sleep, and our body clock is now around tob5.30am each morning.

We have another day of exploring sensational Delhi and in particulat Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India from the 12th to 19th centuries . Our drive takes us through the amazing and totally chaotic Indian traffic including through many of the 200,000 auto rickshaws which are located here in Delhi and dash in and out and between all sorts of vehicles in a totally chaotic fashion.

This is a normal Saturday with the exception that there are many dignitaries visiting Delhi and also visiting the Red fort complex.

we are scheduled to arrive here at the Red Fort a spectacular collection of palaces entered via several gateways and across a large moat which in ancient times was filled with water and crocodiles.  Today this is the most memorable monument in Old Delhi and symbolises the growth and development of the Hindi religion andbits influence upon the subsequent imperial governments of the greater India which at the time included all of India, Pakistan, Tibet, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.  The religious influence remains paramount with the Hindus being the predominant religion overarching all of Buddhist, Jane , Sikh and variety us Hindu off shoots.  There are also some Christian religious groups representing 2% of the population.  All coexist with occasional drastic military and other demonstrators. India remains an incomprehensible powerhouse of 1.25billion people and will soon surpass the population of China and our guide suggests that economically this republic and democracy will also surpass the Chinese economic miracle.  You just wonder in amazement as to how anything occurs with the over zealous political administration and operation, the impact of a large slow moving bureaucracy, a strong legal and judicial framework as well as infrastructure which is openly struggling everywhere.

Yet we are pleasantly enamoured with the people who are friendly, courteous engaging keen to learn and all wanting to better themselves.  Welfare as we know it just doesn't exist, there continue to be significantly entrenched class and social status issues, there are massive challenges as to pressures to grow, educate, improve and become successful.

The challenges as to the separation/ partition  from Pakistan and the troubled Kashmir problems are continuously bubbling below the surface.  There is a keen uncertainty as to the Chinese ambitions part politically and economically.  

Yet when you visit monuments such as the Red Fort the symbol of Delhi, you get a perverse sense of the strength of this nation, the determination of its leadership to dramatically change the economic  framework of this nation, with all of its dynamic interfaces, fundamentally different but also determined to grow.  You cannot but be the mpressed.

But you sense that we have only scratched the surface with the extreme differences in wealth and opportunity, the crushing demand and competition to grow and improve the lot of its people.  Yet these are only the issues we see in the mega cities and metropolis, without contemplating the challenges in rural India, which in many respect are pre industrial and n nature, totally un developed and with poor literacy, massive medical and health issues associated with basic sanitary issues for many many millions of its people.  The dirt, poverty and squalid lifestyle that we drive by only accentuates the gargantuan challenges ahead.  Similarly, the economic and pollution challenges associated with lifting the lifestyle and well being of so many seems daunting.

We arrive back having traversed Old Delhi and then across the wonderful boulevards of the government and embassy areas to our oasis, being the Oberoi Hotel , Delhi one of the world's best hotels.

Following lunch in the Oberoi patisseries we return to our room.  Ken then walks next door to the New Delhi Golf Club and watches some golf. Then purchases some golf balls etc.  This is clearly another unique environment where the old and new wealthy get together to golf with numerous ruins and monuments within its playing Perimeter.  Wealth here on a grand scale and amazingly busy with all time slots taken and a long waiting list for the day.

New Delhi, has been nothing short of amazing, with a caleidoscope of colours always against the red sandstone, a cacophony of noises including constant honking of horns of every imaginable form of vehicle.  The people are gracious and interested, want to take and be in our photographs.

We come away from here impressed by the total contradictions, the massive monuments, the scale of development,yet the perverse awareness of chronic poverty and almost pre industrial activity and pollution everything.  The forward challenges are numbing.

20th February, 2016. Exploring New Delhi and Old Delhi and our welcome get together and dinner

We awoke early for day 2 of our holiday which was really the first active day following our arrival and settling at the beautiful Oberoi Hotel Delhi.

Not surprisingly there was continuing heavy pollution and there has been no rainfall for over 7 weeks here in Delhi. We again have breakfast I'd the restaurant named 360 and then collect out Tauck details and proceed to the Club Bar just of the Main Foyer and Lobby.  We then enter this elegant lounge and wait for our tour guide , Pewter Pappas, to begin speaking.  He provides a comprehensive introduction, details his extensive experience which includes 63 prior "Portrait of India" tours.

it is a fascinating and detailed explanation of our tour including a detailed list of does and don'ts including food and drinking water.

Following this 70 minute introduction and itinerary description we are asked to board our coach and we meet our driver and his assistant then we are introduced to our beautiful guide Samidhna (Sam) who over the next 2 days provided comprehensive insights into the history, politics and religious enactments associated with India and the sub continent over the last 3,000 plus years.

We commenced with a drive through various parts of the 8 cities of Delhi as we drove initially to Humayun's Tomb an inspiring tomb created by the Muslin wealthy.  It is set in superb and beautiful Persian gardens and is a designated World Heritage site.  We spend almost 90 minutes climbing stairs and walking through the various chambers.  Like so much of what we see the challenge associated with upkeep and maintenance is proving a significant challenge.

From here we travel to see the Qutb Minar Victory Tower, but in 1193 with its exquisite carvings and decorations as well as the remains of the associated towers and buildings.  The colour of the red and orange sandstone dominate everything.

we then visit Mahatma Ghandi National museum and thoroughly enjoy the graphic presentations and descriptors of his initial background in South Africa with the associated discrimination prior to again visiting his museum and the many artefacts.

We then all take in the Global peace gong.  There is also a large statue in bronze.

We then drive through this capital city and explore the old and New Delhi, with its spectacular avenues and boulevards and grand vistas and the lasting impact of the colonial mansions.  Government influence is everywhere from the Imperial Government buildings and also the impressive Embassy  district where our Oberoi Hotel is located.

Lunch is served at the highly esteemed Olive Restaurant and Bar, a solitude of peacefulness and calm just away from the furious flurry of the ever changing and confusing tangle of the traffic.  We have 3 courses of soup, then pasta and finally desert. The ambiance is perfect, conversations enjoyable as we meet more of our fellow passengers.

The afternoon then continues with a 2 hour drive through the classic secretariat buildings , the Parliament House and Presidential Palace flanking Vijay Chowk, a grand piazza known as Victory Square.  Our travels then take us through the spectacular Victory Square, we drive passed India Gate,Chichester we will see in closer detail tomorrow. 

We are dropped off back at the hotel by 4.40pm with our Welcome reception to be held in Travatines restaurant before dinner in 360.

It has been an inspiring first day of touring and our group of 30 seems easy and there are several people who we know we will enjoy as company.  

At our Welcome function each couple introduces themselves and briefly comments on their travels.  It has been an excellent start to our tour.

17th February, 2016. Flights Melbourne to Singapore stopover then Flight to Delhi and transfer to Oberoi, Delhi.

Gavin picked us up on Tuesday at 1.30pm and. We enjoyed  an excellent drive from Glen Waverley to Melbourne international Airport in just over 50 minutes.  He dropped us directly outside International Departures and we strolled some 60 metres to Check-in and we we were processed by Singapore staff in 15 minutes and we were delighted that our checked luggage was 20.1 kg and 18.4kg.  So we were really pleased. We were through security and customs in 15 minutes so we had over an hour before our boarding time.

The flight from Melbourne to Singapore was excellent and served a superb meal. Following this we both slept for almost 3 hours and the total trip time of 7 hours 30 minutes passed quickly.

We landed in Singapore almost 15 minutes early and caught the sky train from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 where we had a stopover of 5 plus hours in the Krisworld lounge. This was a long and difficult stopover because our body clocks wanted sleep.  We eventually left the lounge for our 13 minute walk to Gate F58 where we boarded SQ402 to Delhi.  We decided to sleep as soon as possible after takeoff and had almost 4 hours.  Another first class flight and we landed in Delhi almost 25 minutes early and then we were processed through Immigration via the Business Class queue, whereas the economy line had hundreds of people.

The exit through Customs was uneventful  and we were met by the Tauck representative who advised that our driver and guide was nearby.  We left the AirPort and experienced the first mass of hundreds of Indian people all trying to exit the airport, with traffic going in every which way.  We had received our welcome lei of marigolds and water and settled for our 35-40 minute drive into Delhi. Now this proved an amazing experience with 3 lanes becoming 4 or even  5 lines of traffic.

But when we eventually left the  freeway we passed through boulevards with many embassies and then came to the heavily secured Oberoi Hotel , Delhi.  We were then greeted like Royalty, checked in and up to our room 535 in no time. Fortunately we were able to go directly to our room, which is beautifully appointed. Unpacking occurred very quickly.

We then slept from 7.20am until almost 13.00pm, then showered and changed and went to lunch in the restaurant named 360 degrees. We enjoyed the meal and we are back in our room at 15.15pm.  Ken has since taken photos of this hotel which has been  voted "best in Asia " for 2 of last 3 years.

I am writing this at almost 18.00pm and it is nearly dark. It has been a long day since leaving home.

We have enjoyed the excellent flights and the hotel is beautiful.  We now look forward to a wonderful tour with Tauck. Ken has already met a couple from Edinburgh, Scotland.  They appear pleasant and are very well travelled.