Category: India

After a long travel day we got into our hotel and settled in our room around 11pm… We were a bit worried what time we would have to get up in the morning as we had a sunrise tour of the taj.  I was very happy to hear it was 6:45, so really not early at all and not actually at sunrise!  When we got up it was fairly foggy, so we couldn’t see much of the taj from our room- just the outline.

The cold weather did really start to get to us after a few hours, so we headed back to the hotel and had a nice breakfast and some tea.  Now we will rest for an hour or so and head to Agra fort this afternoon.  

We don’t have much time left as they shut the wifi off at 6:30 so people can enjoy nature and talk vs. stare at their iPads!  A great idea if you as me… Here are a few photos from today.

As you can see they had some interesting carvings!  

This morning we got up and headed to the airport for our 2 hour flight to Khajuraho and after a 30 minute drive we were welcomed to an amazing little hotel.  We had lunch in the garden and then headed to our room.

After a bit of a rest we went on trip down the river to see the wildlife.  It was about an hour and so peaceful after the hustle and bustle of Delhi. 

After our boat trip we headed back to our room the clean up before drinks around the fire followed by the best meal we have had on our trip.  If the rest of the trip is like this we may never leave!  

This morning we took a tour of New Delhi- we stopped at the parliament building and drove by the Indian gate. After that we stopped at humayun’s tomb.  The tomb was inspired by the Taj Mahal and very beautiful.

Next we went to the Qutab Minar. This marked the sight of the first Muslim kingdom in northeast India and was built in 1193. It was quite a bit larger then we had expected. 

After our sight seeing we headed for lunch and I think did pretty well for our first Indian meal.  We headed back to our hotel and I took a nap while Richard actually spent 45 minutes writing a nice blog about our day. Unfortunately it crashed while I was sleeping and so this is what you get!  

We had a very nice and relaxing day in Delhi.  After breakfast and getting settled into our beautiful room we headed,down to the spa for some much needed relaxation. We both had massages and let me say they were interesting to say the least!  We left the spa feeling even more relaxed and went to high tea.

After the gym and a bit more unpacking we went to the gym for a bit of exercise.  I did 18-15-12-9-6-3 rounds of thrusters (with 55lb) and box jumps while Richard did some Thai chi and rode the bike…  We were both tired.   

 So, we knew that with all our connections we would have an issue at some point getting to India.  Well we still haven’t left cayman and we have been on the 1 hour flight for over an hour while the cayman airways crew finishes paperwork…  They were at least nice enough to bring us some water a few minutes ago and thankfully the air conditioning is working!  We hope to be off soon as the pilot said only another 8-10 minutes, but then again he said that about 45 minutes ago as well!

Eventually we made it to Miami, but only to walk through security onto the flight to Madrid. We boarded and then once again the Pilot said there was an issue, but it was sorted quickly and we were on our way. When we woke up in the morning we were told it was 29 degrees outside…. Not quite what we expected in Madrid. Again we had a tight connection, but we made it to the gate on time and were bussed out to our plane (it was a bit chilly for us to say the least).  Currently we are flying over Paris with another 2 hours to go before we can take a break (and a shower) before our next overnight flight.  

I can hardly believe it is almost time to head to India- it seems like we signed up so long ago.  Here is just a sneak peak at what we will be doing:

After two overnight flights we arrive in Delhi at 6:30 am and head over to the Imperial Hotel for breakfast.  After breakfast we will settle into our room and head to the spa for what I imagine will be a much needed massage.  The rest of the day will be spent relaxing around the hotel.

Day 2- We will explore New Delhi.  Stopping at the Indian Gate and Parliament buildings then off to the QuatbMinar after lunch we will visit and Humayun’sTomb.

Day 3-  In the morning we will board a flight to Khajuaraho (a tiger reserve).  We will be staying at the Sarai At Toria a unique small hotel overlooking the Ken river.  The afternoon will consist of a boat ride and a walk through the crop fields and wetlands.

Day 4- This morning we will explore Kharuraho “The City of Exotic Temples”.  The temples were built between the 9th and 10th centuries.

Day 5- Now we have the first long drive of our trip, a 4.5 hour drive to Orchha.  The town is positioned on a rocky island enclosed by a loop of the Betwa river.  It was founded in 1531 and was abandoned in 1738.  After lunch we will visit the Raj Mahal and Jahangifi Mahal before boarding a train to Agra.  We arrive and stay to Oberoi Amarvilas, which is 600 ft. from the Taj and we will have a view from our balcony.

Day 6- We visit the Taj first thing in the morning and then head back to our hotel for breakfast.  The rest of the day we will explore Agra Fort and other sites around Agra.

Day 7- Today is a travel day back to Delhi to meet up with the rest of our group after another morning of exploring more of Agra.

Day 8- After breakfast we visit Old Delhi including Jama Masjid and several markets with the highlight being the Khari Baoli, which is Asia’s largest spice market.  Next we take a walk through the Paranthe Wali Gali where the food is old fashioned and vegetarian.  We follow that with a rickshaw ride the the narrow lanes of the the old city and this is all before lunch!

Day 9- Today learn about traditional home cooking as Indian’s do in everyday life.

Day 10- We are off to Jaipur today on a express train.  Once we arrive we head to the Taj Jaimahal Palace with and afternoon of shopping in the bazaars.

Day 11- Amber Fort is our first stop of the morning followed by and introduction to Rajasthan cuisine and spices.

Day 12-  A drive to Chhatrasagar with a lunch stop in Pushkar starts the day.  We check into Chhatra Sagar, a luxurious campsite located on the dam of a 100 year reservoir.

Day 13- We will take a village tour in the morning followed by a cooking class in the afternoon.

Day 14-  Today we drive to Shahpura and check into Shahpura Bagh. This is a 45 acre thickly wooded boutique surrounded by lakes.  Here we will experience Rajasthan that has been untouched by the modern world.

Day 15-  This morning we will drive to a 100 acre family farm and enjoy a private cooking class with the family.

Day 16-19-  Today we go to the Taj Lake Palace (Udaipur) for a few days!

We do eventually have to make our way back up to Delhi and then back to Cayman, but we will stop over in London for a night to catch up with friend there.