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Jewels of Northern India Tour 2014
February 19th - March 3rd, 2014
DELHI – AGRA – BHARATPUR - JAIPUR – JODHPUR – UDAIPUR – DELHI
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February 17 - 20, 2014 |
February 20, 2014 |
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February 21, 2014 |
February 22, 2014 |
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February 23, 2014 |
February 24, 2014 |
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February 25, 2014 |
February 26, 2014 |
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February 27, 2014 |
February 28, 2014 |
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March 1, 2014 |
March 2, 2014 |
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March 3, 2014 |
‘So far as I am able
to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature,
to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits
on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing
overlooked.’ Mark Twain (American writer) India, most incredible
India … the national fruit is the mango, the national tree is
the Ficus bengalensis or the banyan tree and the national flower
is the Lotus. Lotus is the sacred flower of India. It occupies a
special position in the art and mythology of ancient India. It
symbolizes divinity, fertility, wealth and knowledge. In India
it is considered as the symbol of triumph. Just like the
Lotuses, prized for their serene beauty, the Taj Mahal is also
prized for its beauty, beauty made as a result of a grief
stricken Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his beloved wife
Mumtaj Mahal. This is a very special one of a kind garden tour
as it will focus on some incredible gardens and sights. Each of
my tours to India are a bit different, making them truly unique
and special. Please see my tour for 2016 and come along to
experience this country for yourself…you will never be the same!
In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not
surprising to find that people here reflect the rich glories of
the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to
geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners,
habits and food that will always remain truly Indian.
Ethnically Indians speak different languages, follow different
religions, eat the most diverse varieties of food all of which
add to their rich Indian culture. The beauty of the Indian
people lies in the spirit of tolerance, give-and-take and a
variety of cultures that can be compared to a garden of flowers
of various colours and shades of which, while maintaining their
own entity, lend harmony and beauty to the garden as a whole -
Incredible India!
Feb 17 Panama to Delhi
Left from Panama to Newark on the 9:55 a.m. flight and was lucky
to be upgraded to Business Class. Enjoyed a nice meal and a bit
of sleep before landing and once through immigration it was
about 5 hours that I had to wait until my evening flight direct
to Delhi. I have learned to leave a lot of room between flights,
especially if taking an international flight because you just
never know what may happen. Flights get delayed and it is just
not worth running to any flight any more. I have the lounge to
relax in and catch up on email and I do a bit of walking just
because I know I will be sitting for a while. It is about 14
hours that I will be on the flight and thank goodness was going
Business Class again with United. Once on the plane I change
into something loose and comfortable and put on my knee socks
that help with circulation and I am ready to relax. Lots of
movies to watch and food to eat and before you know it I am
getting tired. I do sleep and it feels good. Our flight arrived
about 30 minutes early and my ground handler was there to meet
me. Delivery to the hotel was about 30 minutes because the
traffic was not that bad.
Once in the hotel, now the evening of the 18th, I make myself a
cup of tea and relax for a bit. I am in the same room as the two
previous tours, and feel this wave of nostalgia of how wonderful
the previous tours were and how good I know this one will be too
for my guests. Finally about midnight I head to bed. Nice not to
have to get up to an alarm – I always arrive a day early for
these tours – and wake up refreshed and ready to have breakfast.
Pickwicks here at the Claridges Hotel is full of great choices
on what to eat. You can have the traditional Indian foods or you
can have American. I love the fresh juices and the café lattes
you can get here too. I have a chance to chat with the Senior
Chef who tells me that they rotate the menus so that those
staying here have choices every morning, not just the same menu
and I wish more hotels would do this. It is a great idea. I meet
with some of my group and we all discuss our arrivals and how we
all seemed to have arrived earlier than expected. Must have been
a good tail wind. I leave them discussing what they will do this
day as I head back to my room to get organized. I also have a
meeting with my guide later on today but for now….a nap is due.
I wander around the hotel a bit – I have many photos of it in my
Pix area from past tours – then meet my guide.
Feb 19th Day of arrival for the rest of the group
Graceful architecture, elegant décor, and a seamless blend of
old-world charm and contemporary facilities have made The
Claridges, New Delhi one of the best addresses in Lutyens' Delhi
since the 1950s. The flagship hotel of The Claridges Hotels &
Resorts, set amid the verdant centre of the city in close
proximity of the business district, shopping and cultural
centres and historical landmarks, recreates the magic of
old-world charm coupled with gracious Indian hospitality. The
Claridges New Delhi was awarded the coveted and prestigious 5
Star Diamond Award 2012 from the American Academy of Hospitality
Science, second time in a row. The American Academy of
Hospitality Sciences is the world's premiere organization for
awarding excellence in travel, cuisine, luxury products and
services. Each year, the Academy presents its popular
International Star Diamond Award on superlative establishments
that are deemed to be of pinnacle quality.
All have arrived safe and sound..tonight a good sleep as our
tour begins tomorrow! |
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