India 2025

Tag: delhi

  • DAY 12

    DAY 12

    February 8, 2025

    Off for a new adventure this morning!

    We fly from Delhi to Jaisalmer – a City to the Southwest of Delhi near the Pakistan border in the only desert in India. We have never visited this City or this part of India. Our flight is on time, only the second of the many flights in India. Our driver and the van we are used to, are waiting at Jaisalmer airport (he drove the almost 12-hour drive from Delhi.)

    We have a new guide Jaya who we all like immediately. We drive through the city and it’s very famous Fort. It is known as the “Golden City” because of the yellow sandstone architecture. Founded in 1156 – 869 years ago there is much to see and enjoy. Tomorrow we will return for a tour.

    Starting at the airport with numerous fighter hangers (bunkers) and F-118’s parked on the tarmac to numerous large military facilities along the highway it is obvious that this is a military city. We are told they are here to protect India from Pakistan and their many invasions of India

    The drive to our resort is an hour. The more rural we get the more cows, camels and goats we see. They all have priority on the roads.

    Sujǎn – The Sarai is incredible. Tents built in the desert will provide a relaxing unwind from our very hectic India schedule. You must see it to believe it. Click here and go to “Gallery – All” for great photos. We enjoy a late light lunch then off to see our luxury tent. By the time dinner rolls around at 7:00 we are so looking forward to an unusual but wonderful evening. Karen elects to stay back.

    Their DuncanTini’s made with Absolute India Vodka (mango and pepper flavors) were the very best I have ever had. I sincerely hope it will be available at home.

    Next we were escorted to our special dining experience. The photographs tell only part of how magnificent our evening will be. The central attraction is a large movie screen running a movie set in India mid 20th Century. There are candles everywhere. Dinner will be served on individual tables also adorned with candles. Large fires at our back along with wool blankets will keep us warm. There are only three parties totaling 9 guests. The food was incredible – Todd can not stop talking about his.

    On our way back to our tent we see another large outdoor area with many more guests. This place is incredible!

    Robert

  • DAY 9

    DAY 9

    February 5, 2025

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN – Number 82!

    By the way – June 20 will be our 60th Anniversary – and we fooled around 10 years before that!

    We celebrate all day long. She is gifted bouquets of flowers wherever we go. We started in the morning with a beautiful breakfast on the hotel lawn. Actually this was the former entrance to the Palace. Birgid has arranged a “Cake Cutting” ceremony including “Happy Birthday” spelled out in flowers.

    Off to the airport by 10 for our 1 hour flight to Delhi. I am curious – how many motor scooters/motorcycles in India? The trusty internet (by the way we 5g everywhere) says 260 million. It always looks like all the 260 million are on the street with us each time we go out. Another interesting fact – India is 1/3 the land mass of the United States. We have 300 million people – they have almost 1.5 billion.

    We climb two flights of stairs (the elevator is inoperative) to our gate – wait almost an hour – then back down those same stairs for a gate change. We are on Air India Express today. I took a photo of the checkin area of IndiGo across from us – check out the clever titles.

    I also took a photo of the baggage collection area in the Delhi airport. We are belt number 4. Looking the other way I cannot even see the end. This is a HUGE terminal!

    As always, Shruti briefs us about the history and monuments of Delhi. One thing that stuck with me was the huge monument of Gandhi leading his followers to the coast to gather salt, which the Government had banned. I will include a writing about Gandhi that Karen had previously written. 

    Delhi is so different from Mumbai. Although there are 24 million residents Delhi is spread out – horizontal rather than vertical Mumbai. There are so many trees – truly a green city. It is the political center of India vrs the business center. Many streets are tree lined vrs lined with an endless stream of small shops.

    Although our flight was only one hour it was almost 4:00 when we arrived at our hotel. Total elapsed time 6 hours. We should have taken the 4 hour drive in our van. I am ready for something to eat and a Long Island Iced Tea. NOPE – the last two days have been local elections – no alcohol until 7:00.  

    The Imperial Hotel is our home away from home in India. This may be our fourth stay. I always remember the tall Sikhs wearing their red turbans. This is another elegant hotel – modern elegance rather than the old world elegance we have previously enjoyed. If I had to choose the old world would be my choice. We very much enjoy “high tea” in a new private lounge.

    Dinner and cocktails in the “Spice Market” Asian restaurant is over-the-top great! We are so very very fortunate!

    R