Press Familiarization Trip to Abu Dhabi and India
Sponsored and hosted by

Etihad Airways, and India Tourism Toronto
Nov 17 – Dec 01, 2006
 

We took an early morning flight to Hyderabad on the 22nd by the local carrier Indian Airlines. We were all impressed with their flight and service. Even on just a short flight they managed to serve us all a hot course breakfast and beverage. We were greeted and taken to our hotel and given these wonderful garlands of flowers. We had about a half hour to get refreshed before heading out for our sightseeing tour which included the markets which everyone just loved. This was a group that really got into shopping. I have never seen so many bangles or bracelets in my life. They love wearing them in any colour or number. Jewelry was very reasonable, especially pearls. I think all the ladies bought some kind of pearls, and in the most beautiful colours – yellow, pink, black, and the men bought them to take home to their wives. I am always fascinated by what you can carry on a bike and as you go through some of these pictures you will note that most everything can be carried on a bike or small wagon. The machine you see here is for making sugar cane juice. Also at the market is the Charminar, or arch built between 1591 and 1612. After lunch we visited the Qutub Shahi Tombs, all erected to the memory of the departed kings of Golconda and then to the Golconda Fort for a sound and light show. The fort was incredible to see and I wish we had gotten here during the day to really see what it was like but what we did see was amazing. The history on this fort dates back to the 13th century with the remains of the fort dating from the time of the Qutub Shahi kings who had ruled this area in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The next morning after breakfast we headed off to Ramoji Film City. The land of movies and make believe. We stopped on our way there to get something for Janet and I used the time to stand and take some pictures of passing traffic. Again, anything that can go on a bike will, and look at the trucks…all painted, but what caught my eye was this little old woman sweeping the side of the road. I don’t think she could stand up straight. We arrived and after a short presentation were taken to the hotel/restaurant for lunch. Gosh, the food was so good everywhere we went, the soups and curries being the best…and don’t forget the naan…could not get enough naan wherever we went! Back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at a lakeside restaurant then to bed because it was another early morning.