India 2017

My dream of India has come true

 And after the planning our departure is due

Michelle and I would travel together

And look forward to much warmer weather

We travelled from London to Mumbai by plane

And then onto Pune by getting a train

We arrived at Sangam on thinking day

A place so special in every way

We renewed our promise with everyone

And swam in the pool when the sun shone

We visited markets and learnt how to cook

And shopped for gifts and a cook book

The Taj Mahal was a sight to be hold

Its story of love a tale to be told

In Mumbai we saw many  wondrous sights

And learnt of  Gandhis march for rights

We tried panee puree out on the streets

And sampled other  Indian sweets

India has  been such a wonderful place

With contrast and colour all in one space

Our journey is soon at its end

Thank for joining me my very dear friend

4th march - my final blog

Well this I guess is my last blog about India- all home safe and sound- well back in the UK for Michelle she still has the journey back to Tasmania !

we have had an amazing time and its made me think how things have changed since my Aunt was here so many years ago- this is a picture of her(wearing the saree) with a friend taken in India in 1932 and
 below is a picture of myself and michelle in our punjabi suits.

India has come a long way since 1932- we have learnt how Gandhi led protesters on marches against Bristish rule including the salt march in 1930-which led finally to Indian independence in 1947.

The India I have seen has been vibrant and friendly but with a dichotomy of extremes from high rise flats and 5 star hotels to slumsand absolute poverty.

Its vibrancy and diversity come together to offer the visitor something so different to any other country  and the friendliness of all the people we have met  have made this  a visit far better than anywhere i have visited before

I hope you have enjoyed reading the blogs about my holiday as much as I have enjoyed sharing a little  bit with you.

I think aunty margaret would have been so pleased I visited a country that she had spoken about briefly when I was young- I wish I had asked more questions  but one which has changed so much- I am hoping to try and put together some of her accounts in India from diaries, photos and telegrams home- many years before  direct flights mobile phones and facebook- a time that I feel privieldged  to have a liitle knowledge about her and to have known her & have such precious  black & white photos of many years ago.

3rd march- we're leaving on a jet plane !

 Our bags are packed and we're ready to go......

We have had the most amazing time in India- these pictures were taken at about 7.30am on Friday morning just 5mins walk from our hotel- India is a country where two worlds collide  both old and new in one place.

It is a country of contrasts, of diversity, of colour of intensity but one where everyone has been so friendly and willing to help us , to talk or to have their photo taken ! 

It will be good to go home but  I have  really enjoyed visiting and seeing just a little bit of what India is

2nd march -its thursday so we must be in mumbai!

well here we are our last day of our indian adventure- we had a very early start to our day 6am pick up for airport! We had a 2 hour flight from Delhi to Mumbai and after a slight delay arrived in Mumbai about 11am with about an hour drive to our hotel then our sightseeing tour began at2pm so all go- Mumbai is a very cosmopolitan city very modern in some respects with many old buildings with a very British heritage particularly the railway station which is a world heritage sight- we also visted the gandi museum which was very thought provoking after a quick stop at the gate of India we me up with Larissa a friend of michelles who works for vodaphone in Mumbai it really is a small world! After a last minute spot of shopping we headed back to hotel a brilliant holiday and a wonderful country to visit its diversity and history fascinating -I will do a final blog when we get home with pictures to try and give you a sense of the India we have enjoyed x

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” 

― Mahatma Gandhi

1st march tour of old and new delhi

after a hearty indian breakfast of fish soup (Michelle!!!!) fruit potaoto dosa and doughnuts we met our driver rawat at 9am and picked. Up our guide for the day to do a tour of old and new Delhi -we were shown round the markets andtaken to the red fort in Delhi before going on the visit Gandhi memorial which was quite athoughtful place- we then went for an indian lunch at a restaurant before going to see India gate and parlimentary buildings. After a stop at a carpet shop ! We didn't buy anything despite the owner explaining all about how they are made and inviting us to Kashmir! We then back to the hotel for a swim and cocktails by the pool!

28th february an awesome day full day to Agra

we had a very early start to our day after picking up our packed breakfasts we were picked by our driver at 6.30am and began our grand tour.
after a 3 and a half drive we had our first stop the wildlife SOS  sanctuary which  was established in 1995 to conserve and protect indias natuarl heritage and wildlife . At the sanctuary there  where  22 rescued elephants from circuses and from misuse elsewhere  to find out more or to sponsor an  elephant  go to

www.wildlifesos.org

after spending time here we went to the Taj mahal at agra which was absolutely amazing and a true love story- the photos are suberb but as I cant seem to post from my phone I will have to add later finally we visted agra fort which was another amazing place very Persian in design with wonderful views across to the Taj Mahal- we finally got back to our hotel about 8pm after driving through the most busy traffic you could imagine think M25 and M6 together with tuk tuks bikes and scooters and apparently no particular right of way anywhere! After a very welcome beer we are just about to go to bed before another day in Delhi tomorrow

27th february 2017-travel to delhi

today was a travelling day,after breakfast and picking up a packed lunch we got a tuk tuk to the airport with all our luggage.it was really sad to leave sangam andall the new friends we have made there in such a short time.
anyway our flight to Delhi was supposed to leave at 11.40 but was plane was hour late but we were happy people watching in the airport with indian snacks for lunch
we were met at Delhi airport and taken to our hotel the park and for some reason given an upgrade so we have a suite with a bath you could swim in almost!
very luxurious hotel just treated ourselves to afternoon tea and cake need to have early night being picked up in morning at 6.30am