Location: Brisbane - Singapore - New Delhi
A few fresh flowers as a late night welcome to Delhi
TODAY'S HIGLIGHTS
I'm not sure we have ever been this low key - maybe because it is such a short sojourn we haven't been too bothered with the arrangements or with leaving "home." The research has been incidental - the preparations have been minimal - and really with just 15 days in total, what could possibly go wrong.
The only real prep we have done is to prepare the "gastro stop" options in preparation for "street food" encounters or accidental contact with less than fresh water. We've heard all the horror stories and I am convinced I am going to be living on beer, naan bread and butter chicken - without the chicken. Our Dr has advised - avoid non bottled water and any ice in drinks, stay away from salads, only eat fruit you can peel yourself and eat food that is served "hot." Sounds simple. 💩
Anyway, we consider ourselves "set" - we've got a preplanned itinerary led by tour guides, have airline booking confirmation, our passports are current, secured one of the two visas requied (Sri Lanka is "apparently" on arrival)we've been vaxed to the max and we have cash and cards. The biggest surprise is that, packing just for "summer," we have light weight luggage and about 4 kgs in the backpack - most of that is taken up with medication (#%$^@) and electricals. And very unusual for us - even have room to add some purchases - if we are so inclined.
Low key - here we go - smiling and healthy - let's hope it's the same story in 15 days #Tripadeal
Morning preparation
The alarm reliably sounded to kick off the morning and with the last few jobs done and the showers complet it was time to welcome our "bag lady," (takes our last rubbish and food bits 😂), "house sitter," "plant saviour," "postal service" and "uber driver." Our tiny @Aunty Gail runs on energiser batteries! Wonder woman.
Waiting for pea soup fog to disappear
Easy checkin at the airport and passed through security with narry a beep! Unusual for us when machine, knees and even "residue" usually bobs up and causes a diversion to personal checks .
The pea soup fog dutifully disappeared and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, reading messages (@Dick 😋 is definitely the winner) - mind you @Leah's 100+ photos from her #Wembley #Eras Tour concert was my personal favourite. Really only had an hour to kill before we were stockinged up and called to take up our position in the luxury of 66D and E.
In the air
Love the orderly nature of boarding for #Singapore Airlines - you have a zone and are called to board from the back of the flight. We were in the first group to board and there was a staff member at the gate to ensure only the "right" people got on board. Made it all so easy and of course there was plenty of overhead storage.
Cramped quarters for the first leg
We were on the runway for a very long time and by the time we took off, the flight screen was showing a flight time of just 6 hours 50 minutes. Easy peasy.
On the down side - either we have grown, or seat space on #Singapore Airlines is a little tight. Unfortunately we both had "committed leaners" - they had put their seats back on the run way so it was very cramped trying to navigate toilet exits. Oh well, only 6 hours and 50 minutes - how many exits could we need?
On the plus side, got lovely warm towels to start the trip "fresh," had plenty to eat and drink (including very irresponsible serves of red wine), had a quiet neighbour, the natural light from the windows was left flooding the cabin and there were so many staff. @Mac squeezed in three movies - I didn't even use the headsets. I am admitting that I was so excited in the cabin because AT LAST, I couldn't hear the crickets serenading constantly in my ears. Was such a respite, I just enjoyed the hubub of all the movement in the cabin and even the crying babies were a bonus.
We arrived unscathed in Singapore a whole 30 minutes earlier which was handy because we did have to navigate Terminal 3 to join the next flight.
Minimal time on the ground at #Changi
Second flight - shorter than the first
What a dream #Changi Airport was - so calm and orderly and absolutely beautiful. We were only there for 90 minutes . We were so overfull from the food in flight that @Mac even gave all the coffee shops a miss - despite their glitz, glamour and pizazz. Wow.
Did have time to visit the toilets though and what luxury. How is it I always talk about toilets - but i just can't resist here ... because in flight was just so gross. On that first flight - we visited at the 6 hour mark for our one and only visit - and no exaggeration here, but pooled around the base of the pedestal on the floor, was a yellow vibrating puddle! How can you miss if YOU ARE SEATED! Need to be scrubbing the soles of these shoes. And have to say @Mac was an inordinate length of time in his cubicle - apparently he was confounded by the technology - had trouble finding the flush button, for some reason the water was reluctant to turn on over the basin and he had a little struggle accessing the paper towels. One visit was enough.
We were greeted once again with warm towels on this second flight and we won the lotto, had a spare seat next to us - loving that we could sprawl out without having to touch the neighbour. Topped that of with minimal leaners in front and plenty of leg room and we felt we had hit the jackpot.
Much happier - more room - and @Mac had his first curry
A few different movies as temptation for the just under 6 hour second leg and again plenty to eat and drink. These short little skips suit us nicely- nothing like those 16 hours from North America.
Were more than pleased to hear the Captain announce that we were approaching #Delhi even though we were landing in thunderstorm activity. Was a little disappointing that once we landed, we sat for about 5 minutes waiting for our turn to make the 10 minute run to the terminal. And in row 57 absolutely neededto be patient waiting to leave.
Welcome to India
First stop was a biometric registration station - self checkin type thing for photos, passport scanning and fingerprinting. It was a challenge and we somehow found ourselves first in the queue and stumbled our way through. Lots of expletives from the fellow travellers in the adjacent booths and a long queue was forming behind us. Lucky to survive actually because the exit featured a square raised platform about 10 cms high. Glad @Mac was leading the way and took the trip for the team and lucky he has been going to gym because he did a delicate little hop step and jump to regain his balance and earned the admiration and applause from those behind us in the queue.
Welcome to India - waiting for the group
Luggage was easy to spot and after making our customs declaration and passing through the tedious and labour intensive border security process it was a gift to be welcomed by a #Tripadeal representative. Unbelievable, but true, we were the first out and like everyone who followed we were told "Don't go outside and don't go with anyone else." No trouble following those instructions and as each group joined us, they shared they had re lived the same advice.
No joke, we both had very tender bots! Been a long day sitting - and the 40 minutes trip to the hotel was just a little more of the same butt hurt. But extremely comfortable and we had no trouble with space, there were only 6 travellers in our group on a bus that seats 20.
The bigger group at the airport, of about twenty, was heading to a different hotel and our late night sleuthing suggests that perhaps they are only doing 7 days. Our transport representative shared that there were 20 in our group and that he had picked up the other 14 passengers earlier today.
Had a little blow out of the suitcase ALREADY - the top of the handle has come off - broken. I heard a little "cling cling" on the bitumen so might be shopping tomorrow!
First impressions of India - hot and wet. Made our way to the hotel in 10 pm traffic with roads full of cars, buses and tuk tuks, engulfed in a cacophony of incessantly chirping car horns. Oh. I forgot to mention THE COWS. On the side of the road, in the middle of the road and on the road.
Our welcome aboard the bus included a fresh flower garland (they were a little wilted, think they had a long day waiting for us) and our specially prepared personal itinerary pack. Includes a sheet with lots of hints and tips, with one targeting @Mac which advised to gently add the curries to your daily intake at just one a day and to ask them to cut down on the "heat." Not sure @Mac will be complying.
Settling in
Welcomed to the #SK Premium with a cool drink while the #Tripadeal Rep handled all of the checkin and we were seamlessly on our way to the room. Very keen to hit the showers (a shame it was lukewarm) and to settle in for a recuperative night's sleep. We had packed a cube with our first night essentials so no need to be rummaging through cases. Alarms set for an early rise and shine. That was a big day of travel - but a comfortable one. 21 hours door to door.
Weather: hot and humid on arrival on Delhi with thunderstorm
Steps: 5 895 airport transits
Health Check: We have left home in mint condition - no colds, bruise and scratch free and with absolutely no stomach troubles. Rock solid.
Accommodation: Hotel SK Premium Park, New Delhi - hmmm, plenty of room/spacious, dubiously clean (old and run down with make do handy man adjustments
On the Menu
A day of airline food ! Two meals per flight!
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Biryani |
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Madras Curry |
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Rogan Josh |
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Chapati |
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Butter Chicken |
✔ |
Mutter Paneer |
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Saag Paneer |
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Dal |
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Chat |
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Naan |
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Samosas |
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Keema |
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Dosa |
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Papadum |
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Tandoori Chicken |
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Pakora |
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Gulab Jamun |
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Paratha |
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Tikka Masala |
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Pasanda |
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Korma |
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Raita |
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Vindaloo |
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Lassi |
Straight from the itinerary:
Today depart for Delhi, India. Upon arrival, be met by a representative at the airport to be transferred to your hotel where you may enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
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