Trip to Tanzania, Israel, Bhutan, and India – September and
October 2016
Monday
September 19, 2016 – Miami to Istanbul
Uber to MIA
at 5
Flight on
Turkish Airlways at 9
Great
service, meal, wine, and a little sleep
Tuesday
September 20, 2016 – Istanbul to Tanzania
Arrived in
Istanbul at 3 pm
Went to
fabulous Turkish Airlines Lounge – email and coffee
Left at 6:30
for Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania – 7.5 hours – not many people in First Class
Wednesday
September 21, 2016 Kilimanjaro and Arusha, Tanzania
Arrived at 2
am – first off of the plane, thru customs, luggage ready, and Isaya ready for
me.
30 minute
ride to the Duluti Lake Lodge
To room 12B
– Tim already there
To bed
Up at 9 for
breakfast
Walked to
the market – Everyone asked “You are going by yourself?” – YES I replied.
Lots of
mismatched shoes, clothes, everything for sale.
No one bothered us.
Bought
fabric for Leslie.
Leslie
somewhat nervous before but she realized we’d be fine and we had a great time.
Wonderful
nap.
Tim and
Leslie had massages.
Drinks at 6
– then dinner – great service and food.
To bed at 9
pm!
Thursday
September 22, 2016 – Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
I woke up at
2 am and got up until 4 am – finally back to sleep.
Up at 7 –
packed and to breakfast
Isaya came
at 8 – we left at 8:30
Drive
through Arusha – lots of road construction
Stopped at
Maasai Village – fabric cloth around us – welcoming song – jumping with men –
shoulder shrug with the women – into cow dung hut – shopping for bead work
On to
lookout point of Manyara Lake – stopped at bilbao tree – stopped at entrance to
Ngorongoro
Stopped at
lookout point on the rim of the crater for pictures
To Serena
Lodge – checked in and then lunch
Wonderful
nap – caught up on email and FaceBook
To the
lounge for drinks and dinner – Eliza waited on us and was so sweet.
To bed at 9
but I had a contract to do – Tim right to sleep.
Friday
September 23, 2016 – Ngorongoro Crater
Up at 5:30
for breakfast and a beautiful sunrise over the crater
Left at 6:30
for our safari in the crater with Isaya
Lots of
animals during the day – 4 of the Big Five – elephant, lion, cape buffalo, and
rhinoceros
Lions mating
and two lions with the kill from the night before
Lunch by the
lake
Save the
rhinoceros from a distance with her young
Through the
forest and saw baboons
Back to the
lodge about 4 – long day
Drinks in
the bar then a nap
Reviewed
pictures over drinks – acrobatic show and music in the bar
Dinner
upstairs
To bed at 9
pm. Early to bed – early to rise
Saturday
September 24, 2016 – Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Up at 6 for
breakfast at 6:45
Left at 7 to
return to Arusha
Stopped so
Leslie could buy a tanzanite necklace
Lunch at the
center – Leslie bought some gifts
Isaya joined
us for lunch.
Returned to Duluti
Lodge for day room – only had 1 hour
Conflict
over the bill from Tuesday night – charged us for 2 rooms when I had already
paid for 1
Isaya took
us to the airport at 3 – check in and to the lounge
Ethiopian
Air did a great job – large plan and great service
Had dinner
and a short nap
Landed in
Addis Ababa early so went to the lounge for a couple of hours and recharged
devices
Had a 3 hour
layover
Loaded up
about 10 pm for the 5 hour flight to Tel Aviv
Sunday
September 25, 2016 – Tel Aviv, Israel
Landed at
3:40 am – 2 hours earlier than the original schedule.
We got thru
immigration and customs.
Daniel
Sahwani, our guide, was waiting for us.
Nice Mercedes SUV.
Drove us
from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He talked
the entire way. He’s a Christian Israeli
raised in Jerusalem.
Checked in
to Dan Jerusalem Hotel – Daniel got us a special rate since it was 5 am when we
arrived.
Showered and
went to bed.
Up about
9:30 and to breakfast. Explored the
large hotel.
Took off on
a long walk to Old Jerusalem. About 30
minute walk from the hotel.
Into the
Damascus Gate. Explored the old city –
fascinating. Walked past the Via
Delorosa where Christ carried the cross.
To the
security point that goes into the West Wall.
Save that for tomorrow.
Stopped at a
café for lunch – schwarma and plate with coffee and dessert. Delicious.
Back to the
hotel via a taxi.
Nap time.
For dinner
we made reservations at The Eucalyptus Restaurant next to the Jaffa Gate just
outside Old Jerusalem. Delicious. Controversy with the taxi from the hotel to
the restaurant, but we made it.
Tried to get
Uber after dinner but there are none in Jerusalem.
Walked to
the Jaffa Gate and I got us a taxi from there back to the hotel for 40 shekels.
To bed. Tour starts tomorrow.
Monday
September 26, 2016 – Jerusalem, Israel
Up at 7:30
for breakfast buffet.
Daniel met
us at 9 am.
To Old
Jerusalem.
Walked all
around to various sights. King David’s
Tower – which was really Herod’s Tower
We visited
the 4 quarter of the old city including the Holy Sepulcher Church and Al Aqsa
Mosque.
We visited
King David’s Tomb, the Room of the Last Supper and the Church of the Dormition
where Mary fell into eternal sleep.
We had lunch
in the Old City on a rooftop overlooking the City.
We visited
the Western Wall
We went to the
Israeli Museum and saw the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Shrine of the Book. Also saw the Aleppo Codex which was the
Hebrew bible and parts of the torah – early version of the Old Testament.
Back to the
hotel for short nap.
We took the
tram into town and I got us lost looking for the Mamilla Mall. Finally found it and had dinner at Happy Fish
on the rooftop.
Took the
tram back to the hotel and to bed.
Tuesday
September 27, 2016 – Jerusalem, Israel
Up at 7:30
for breakfast.
Met Daniel
at 9.
To the Mount
of Olives – beautiful panoramic view of the city.
Garden of
Gethsemane, the Golden Gate, lots of graves on the hillside,
To the
Holocaust Museum.
Then to
Bethlehem – lunch inside the wall – lamp and mesa salads (16 dishes)
To the
Nativity birthplace and where the manger was
Walked
around Bethlehem
Back to
hotel – short nap.
Tram into
the city to City Hall.
Drinks and
dinner at Notre Dame Hotel on the rooftop – owned by the Vatican. Delicious.
Tram back to
the hotel and to sleep.
Wednesday
September 28, 2016 – Jerusalem, Israel
Up at 7:30
for breakfast.
Met Daniel
at 9.
Headed east
to Jericho, the oldest city in the world
Explored
ruins. Bought some bath salts.
Drove to
Masada and took the cable car up to the fortress built by Herod the Great. Scene of the epic stand by Jewish rebels at
the end of the Great Revolt against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago.
Drove to the
Dead Sea – lunch and then a float in the salty Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest and saltiest body
of water on earth.
Drove back
to the hotel for much needed showers and rest.
Went to the
hotel bar and talked to Kate from northern California.
Light dinner
at the hotel.
Tim went to
bed at 9! Larry worked on contracts
until 11.
Thursday
September 29, 2016 – Tiberius, Israel
Up at 7 for
breakfast.
Packed up.
Checked out
and met Daniel at 9.
Today we go
to Haifa, Akko, Rosh Hanikra and end up in Tiberius.
First to
Mount Carmel.
Then to
Haifa, Israel’s third largest city.
To Baha’i
Shrine and Gardens, the world center for the Baha’I Faith.
Drove thru
Haifa
Drove north
to the border with Lebanon
Took a cable
car to the grottos and walked through
Stood by the
border with Lebanon
Drove to
Tiberius – about an hour away
Checked in
to the Ron Beach Hotel
Walked into
Tiberius
Stopped and
had drinks and dinner at an outdoor café on the pedestrian mall – good lamp
Walked
around Tiberius
Back to the
hotel.
Tim to bed
early – I had a conference call on a real estate deal at 11 – lasted until
11:45.
Then to bed.
Friday
September 30, 2016 – Tel Aviv, Israel
Up at 7:30 –
on the road at 9.
The former
Prime Minister of Israel, Shimon Peres, died so Obama and others are in Tel
Aviv
Drove to the
Magdalen site but I realized I left my sun glasses at the hotel so we went back
To the boat
for a cruise on the Sea of Galilee – nice.
We got to dance too.
Then to the
site where Christ preached the Beatitudes and Capernaum where Christ fed the
many
Then to a
restaurant on the Sea of Galilee for St Peter’s fish for lunch. Huge lunch.
Then to Cana
where Christ turned the water into wine.
Then to
Nazareth to Mary’s house where the angel came to her at the Annunciation
Church.
Then we
drove 1.5 hours to Tel Aviv and checked into the Renaissance on the
Mediterranean Sea
Took a long
walk on the board walk. Drinks at a café
for sunset. Then drinks in the
Renaissance Club.
Then back to
a Fish Restaurant on the board walk for dinner.
Good and good Israeli wine.
Back to the
hotel, relaxed, and to bed.
Saturday
October 1, 2016 – Tel Aviv, Israel
Up at 7 –
it’s Chabbat so the Jews can’t use any machines today.
Tim got us
coffee – but it was instant.
Light
breakfasts in the Renaissance Club.
Met Daniel
at 9 am.
We went to
Jaffa – the old city. We walked through
where the old city walls were and went through St Peter’s Church.
To the
museum and heard the story of Andromeda and Jonah and the whale.
Beautiful
views of the city.
We walked
through an area with shops and Yarkon Park.
Daniel took
us back at 11:30. We walked north down
the boardwalk and then back south.
Stopped for
lunch. Watched handless volleyball on
the beach for a while.
Then back to
the room to rest and finish packing.
Walked on
the board walk for sunset. Stopped at
McDonalds for a snack – unimpressive.
Went to the
concierge lounge at the Renaissance for wine and snacks
Tim went to
bed at 8. I went at 9. We have to get up at 1 am.
Sunday
October 2, 2016 – Tel Aviv to Istanbul to Delhi
We got up at
1 am and met our pre-arranged taxi at 2 am to go to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel
Aviv. Our flight to Delhi is at 5 am.
The airport
security check prior to checkin was very confusing but we got there.
Went to the
lounge for an hour and then boarded the plane.
Nice
breakfast and I slept for an hour.
Right on
time.
To the
Turkish Airways Lounge in Istanbul.
Stored our luggage in lockers in the club. Went to try to do the day tour of Istanbul
but we didn’t have a visa and then we were out of time. So we stayed in the club and relaxed, ate,
and did computer stuff until our 7 pm boarding time. 12 hours in Istanbul airport!
We left
Istanbul on time for our overnight flight to Delhi. I had a quick dinner and slept for about 4
hours.
Monday
October 3, 2016 – Delhi to Paro, Bhutan
We arrived
in Delhi at 4:30 am. We went thru
immigration, got our checked bags and thru customs.
We took the
large bags to check them at the Delhi Airport as they are too large to take to
Bhutan.
It was a
hike and they only accepted cash (the machine is broken) but we got it done.
We waited
and were first to check in with Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. We got exit row.
We went back
thru Security. I went to the Air India
Lounge (talked my way in) and did a contract.
I met Tim at
the gate. Left on time. As we approached Bhutan, we could see the
peak of Mt Everest above the clouds – it was neat.
The flight
in was circuitous following the river in the valley – magnificent.
We landed,
got our bags and Sonam was there to meet us.
Sonam is our guide for the week and Dorji is our driver.
We drove
along a road through the mountains from Paro to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
We stopped
at an old iron bridge and Sonam gave us many facts and figures to contemplate.
Many of the
houses had chili peppers drying on the roof.
We arrived
at the Taj Tashi Hotel – and took a much needed shower and nap.
We went to
the Bhutan Kitchen Restaurant for dinner – about 15 minutes walk. Buffet with typical foods – and I got some
HOT food. WOW. Tim loved it.
We walked back
and went to bed. Ready for our Bhutan
adventure to start.
Tuesday
October 4, 2016 – Thimphu, Bhutan
We got up at
6:30. Breakfast at the hotel. Tim had a local crepe with potatoes and
sauces. I had local pancakes – savory
rather than sweet. Different.
Sonam met us
at 9 and we began the day’s adventure.
He told us
about the gho for the men and kiren for the women – local dress custom, some
required by law.
We went to
the largest stupa in Bhutan and walked around twice.
We drove up
the mountain to the largest Buddha in Bhutan.
It was huge. It will eventually
have over 25,000 Buddhas inside – from donations.
Sonam
explained about the colorful flags and poles that people put out for good luck.
Blue= live
long and health
Red=wealth
and power and fame
Yellow=happiness
White=purification
of remembrance of relatives
Green=peace
and prosperity
We went to a
textile museum and saw a movie on textile making – fascinating
We went to
an art school and saw sewing, painting, sculpting, drawing, and embroidery
We went to a
folk museum established by the Queen – it showed how people in the rural areas
lived
We went to
the national library and saw old manuscripts
We went to
lunch – similar to dinner last night but much, much better – yummy
We went to a
place to see the takin – the national animal – cross between a cow and a goat
We went to a
lookout point and saw the capital, king’s palace and supreme court
Went to see
an archery match – fascinating – we loved it when they danced and sang when
their team hit the target.
We to a
paper mill where they make paper by hand – a messy but fascinating process. We
bought some.
We drove
back to Thimphu and walked through the downtown area and back to the hotel.
I took a nap
and Tim went back to town for coffee. He
went back to the stupa and walked around it.
We had
drinks in our room today since the entire country is dry on Tuesday.
At 6:30 we
went to the dance performance put on by the hotel – singing and dancing. It was good.
Another
drink in the room and then to dinner at the hotel restaurant. It was good.
Then to bed.
Wednesday
October 5, 2016 – Thimphu, Bhutan to Phobjikha
Valley
We got up at
6:30 – breakfast at the hotel buffet and then we checked out and met Sonam at
8.
We started a
long drive to the Phobjikha Valley. It
took over 4 hours and the roads were mostly under construction. It was unbelieveable. Some of the roads were falling off of the mountain
and many places where only one vehicle could pass.
We stopped
at a lookout but it was cloudy. There
was a place with 108 stupas built to commemorate the war against the rebels in
2006.
We continued
on the bumpy roads – Sonam told us we were getting a massage!
We stopped
for lunch and had dried beef and pork (fatty).
Tim loved it – I didn’t.
Then it took
us another hour to get to the Gangtey Lodge in the Phobjikha Valley. WOW what a place.
Only 12
rooms with each overlooking the valley.
Large bathtub in the large window of each room.
We unpacked
and I had a fabulous foot massage by a young Bhutanese man. It was luxurious.
Then we
dressed and went to the festival ceremony in the Gangtey Monastery, the large
Buddhist monastery and monk school here.
It was fascinating with chants, music, drums, dancers, and lots of
people. It was surreal.
Then back to
the hotel for a drink in the lobby in front of the fire.
Delicious
dinner (included with the room) – Tim had yak and I had a Chinese mixture. Delicious.
Drinks in
front of the fire and then to bed.
The
attendant came to our room and started our fire and we enjoyed sitting in front
of that for a while.
Then to
bed. It POURED down rain during the
night.
I kept
waking up trying to catch my breath as we are at 11,000 feet in altitude high
in the Himalayas.
We like this
place!
Thursday
October 6, 2016 – Phobjikha Valley
We got up at
7 and had coffee in our room at 8.
We had
breakfast at 8:45 and met Sonam and Dorji at 9:30.
They took us
back to the Gangtey Monastery and we walked around. I spun some of the prayer wheels to send good
luck to everyone in Ft Lauderdale who is facing Hurricane Matthew.
We walked
back through the village and then started at 2 hour hike through the woods and
fields. It was pretty – muddy at
times. A great lookout point over the
valley.
We met Dorji
at the end and he drove us through other parts of the valley.
Then we went
to the Black Necked Crane Museum. We saw
a movie and Tim dressed up in the crane outfit.
We then went
for a good lunch and then back to the Gangtey Lodge.
At 2:30 Tim
had a massage in our room and I went to the lobby and caught up on things.
At 4 I had a
massage in our room. It was divine.
We had a
cocktail in the lobby and talked to Vivien from Australia.
They the
attendants dressed us in ghos for dinner – it was fun.
We had
another drink and met 2 couples who just arrived. It took them 10 hours to get here.
We had a
great dinner – the Bhutanese Selection.
Good
We talked to
Mark, the manager, for a while and then returned to the room to relax with our
fire and then go to bed about 10.
Friday
October 7, 2016 – Phobjikha Valley to Punahka
We woke up
at 6 to learn that Hurricane Matthew had mostly bypassed Ft Lauderdale – WHEW!
We dressed,
had breakfast and packed up. We actually
tried to leave early since everyone else checking out was leaving at 8:30 and
we wanted to be in front of them.
Sonam and
Dorji were there waiting about 8:15 so we packed up and headed off.
The road was
incredibly rough. And the rains had left
it rutted, muddy, and wet. At lease it
wasn’t dusty! We came to one place that
the road had collapsed last night so we had to wait while they repaired it.
We arrived
in Punahka about 11:30 and went to the
“Fertility Temple” built by Madman!
People come here to increase the chances of getting pregnant. I spun the prayer wheels to ward off
Hurricane Matthew from Florida. It has
now bypassed Ft Lauderdale, but they are predicting it is going to make a loop
and come back!
Sonam
explained the temple to us. We walked
back down the hill and went into a shop and bought an ornament for our travel
tree – a red penis! Many of the houses
have phallic symbols painted on them for fertility and long life.
We then
drove into town and stopped for a tea and cookies. We decided we only wanted something light
today since we’ve been eating so much.
We then went
to the Fortress, built in 1640 and used by generations of Kings, until
1965. The kings are coronated here. It is still used as a seat of
government. Sonom took us into the
Buddhist temple and explained the various altars. There was a large painting showing the life
of The Buddha and he explained it all.
Fascinating and Tim had never heard the story.
We then went
to the Hotel Uma, high up on a hill overlooking the river and the rice
fields. I took a nap and Tim walked to
the King’s stupa, built by the 5th King.
I had tea
out on the patio overlooking the valley at 5.
Tim joined me after his walk for tea and cookies.
Tim showered
and then we went to the lobby for a drink and then dinner. It was good.
We returned
to the room about 8:30 and relaxed and went to bed early. It’s raining and so relaxing.
Saturday
October 8, 2016 – Punahka to Paro, Bhutan
We got up at
7 and had breakfast in the dining room.
We packed up
and met Sonam and Dorji a little before 9 and headed west to Paro.
Oh, the
roads!!!! There was a backhoe pushing
dirt and rocks down a hill right in front of our car.
It was very
foggy when we got to the pass.
It was
pretty in Paro.
We went to
the Fertililty Temple where the Mad Monk wanted to have sex with his mother.
We had a
very light lunch in Paro.
We went to
the Fortress where they had a festival.
Dancing and colorful outfits.
We went to
the oldest Temple in Bhutan.
We then went
to the hotel, a beautiful place outside of Paro. We walked to the Tea House and
could see the Tiger’s Nest way up high.
We had
drinks in the Mad Monk Bar and then dinner in the restaurant.
To bed about
10 am.
Sunday
October 9, 2016 – Paro, Bhutan
We got up at
7 and had breakfast. We met Sonam at 8
and headed to the Tiger’s Nest.
It was a
short drive. I got a walking stick from
the hotel.
We started
the walk about 8:15. Up and up and up we
went.
It was a
long, hard walk. Raining at times later
in the morning. Horses took some up but
we walked. Sonam was always up ahead of
us.
We got to
the cafeteria and had a much needed cup of tea and a rest.
We were told
that when you get to the cafeteria, the worst of the climb is over. NOT SO!
We continued
up and then had magnificent views of the Tiger’s Nest. Spectacular, and the monks were almost
constantly chanting.
The steps
down and then back up by the waterfall were brutal.
We checked
our bags and walking stick. We went in
the Tiger’s Nest and removed our shoes. There are 25 temples inside and we
visited 3 of them. The view from outside
was better than the visit inside!
We then
started back down. The steps were even
more brutal. Had to take it slow.
We thought
we’d never get back to the cafeteria. We
found a seat and enjoyed the buffet lunch.
We then
started down and it was muddy and rocky.
Hard walk. Over 7.5 hours.
I thought
we’d never get there. One of the hardest
things I’ve done.
Dorji was
waiting for us and I was drenched. We
decided to skip the tour and shopping in Paro and return to the hotel. Much needed shower and a rest was great.
We went to
the lodge at 6 and had a drink and then dinner.
They had a
performance in the lobby that we listened to – it lasted over an hour with only
about 4 people watching. We checked out
of the hotel so that would be done.
We returned
to the room and finished packing as we have to get up very early to leave.
Off to bede.
Monday
October 10, 2016 – Paro, Bhutan to New Delhi, India
We got up at
4. They came for the bags at 4:45 and we
were on our way a little before 5.
Sonam and
Dorji dropped us off at the airport and we bid them farewell. They did a great job.
We checked
in and got emergency row seats. The trip
from Paro to Delhi was a little over 2 hours and we flew over Mt Everest and
there was a spectacular view.
We landed on
time. Tim went to get our bags from “Left
Luggage” and I retrieved our bags on the carousel.
We met our
greeter and he took us to a car for the 45 minute ride to the Imperial Hotel in
Delhi – I stayed there before.
We checked
into the hotel and went to the Brand g hospitality desk. Brian, Troy, and Frank were the organizers.
We checked
into our room and then ventured out for shopping and lunch. We went to Connaught Circle and ate at Johnny
Rockets. It was good. We walked around the circle and took in the
sights, sounds, and smells. Lots of markets
and merchants. Everyone selling
something.
We went back
to a store that the concierge had recommended and I bought a wooden box for the
granddaughters.
Back to the
hotel for a rest. They had a reception
at 6 - wine and an opportunity to meet
our fellow travelers. They had a show on
the lawn.
They had a
buffet dinner, but I had made reservations at the Spice Route for us.
We went to
the Spice Route at 7:30 and it was fabulous.
Tim loved it. Friendly service
and delicious food.
We went to
bed about 10.
Tuesday
October 11, 2016 – New Delhi, India
We went to
the buffet breakfast and then met our tour at 8:45 am.
We loaded on
busses and headed through the city to Old Delhi. We got on a moped bike and Rami was our
pedaler. He was friendly. It was a short ride through Old Delhi. Small streets but unfortunately most of the
shops were closed.
We loaded
back on the bus and went to the Gandhi Shrine – the place where he was murdered
and cremated.
We then went
the tomb of Humayun’s tomb – similar to the Taj Mahal.
Then to
lunch – Indian food – it was good.
Then we left
the city and visited Qutub Minor – a large complex with a Victory Tower built
in 1193.
On the way
back into the city we went by the President’s Palace, the government buildings,
the India Gate, and the Indian Parliament.
Back to the
hotel.
At 6 we went
to the bar for a drink. We met the group
at 7 for a buffet dinner and ate with Noel and Alan.
We went to
the room at 10 and repacked as we are leaving a bag with cold weather clothes.
Wednesday
October 12, 2016 – Delhi to Calcutta, India
We got up at
7. Tim went to Starbucks but it was closed.
We walked to
the government buildings and saw the President’s House, Parliament, and other
administrative buildings.
We took a
tuk-tuk back to the Imperial for 100 rupees.
We finished
packing and put the bags out at 10:15.
We met the
group at 11 am and loaded on the busses and headed back to the airport.
Check in was
easy and organized by the tour operator.
We went though security and had a snack before boarding the large plane
to Kolkata.
I watched a
movie and had part of the lunch that was served. In Kolkata we retrieved our bags and put them
on an old bus and headed out into the heavy traffic. There was a festival so the streets were crowded,
but the drive to the river boat was so interesting, watching the city life and
the many festival displays. Lots of
lights.
We arrived
at the boat and went to the dock to take a tender boat over to the Ganges
Voyager. We got on board and were shown
to our suite – at the front of the ship on the 3rd floor. Only 1 of 2 rooms that looks forward as we
are underway.
We had a
buffet dinner in the dining room and then headed to the upper deck for a
performance of Indian dancers – some Bollywood, some rap, and other
styles. They wanted us to dance with
them but it was just too darn hot and humid.
Then we went
to bed.
Thursday
October 13, 2016 – Kolkata, India to Bandel and Kalna
We were
awakened at 4:45 with a horn and the sound of the anchor being raised. What a way to wake up.
We had
breakfast in the dining room and met our group at 9 to go on the city tour of
Kolkata.
Asim was our
guide and gave a great commentary as we drove around.
We went to
St John’s Church. Then to Victoria’s
Palace.
Busy streets
and lots of people. Kolkata is the
second largest city in India.
At noon we
headed back to the river boat and had lunch with Noel and Alan from NYC.
They did a
safety briefing at 1;45.
We took a
nap as we sailed up the river.
At 4 we
stopped at Bandel and went to Hooghly Imambara.
A crumbling Sunni temple that is in dire need of restoration. Asim gave a great tour. He showed us a snack too that the women love.
We returned
to the ship and had cocktails and then dinner at 7.
They showed
a movie but we skipped it and went to bed.
Friday
October 14, 2016 – Kalna to Matiari, India
We were
awakened again with the horn and the sound of the anchor being raised – this
time at 6 am.
Tim went to
yoga and I did email.
We had
breakfast and then took the tender ashore to Kalna. The locals were bathing in the Ganges, being purified in this incredibly
dirty and polluted river.
We got a
rickshaw ride through the city to a temple Rajbari. Asim gave a great commentary. There were 108 temples each with a linga
inside.
We walked to
another large temple complex and met the head priest. He allowed us to have our picture made with
him.
We then
walked through the market with Asim back to the ship. We went through where they sell vegetables
and then fish. We went into a bakery and
watched them mixing dough and making breads.
We walked
back to the river and went to the ship.
At 11, one of the guides did a talk on The Ganges. Interesting facts, figures, and historical
content.
We had lunch
in the dining room and then enjoyed the ship until 2:30.
At 2:30,
Chef Zaved gave a talk on Indian Spices in the Lounge. Tim enjoyed that a lot.
At 3:30 we
had tea and relaxed for the afternoon as we sailed up the Ganges. Today we travel about 100 km or 62 miles.
We went up
on deck for cocktail hour and dancing.
Chef Zaved was quite a dancer as were some of the cabin stewards. They had fun dancing with us.
We had a
port talk about tomorrow’s agenda in the Lounge and then went to dinner. We ate with Doug and George from Ft
Lauderdale.
After dinner
we watched “A Pink Mirror” by Sridhar Rangaihn, an undercover movie made about
drag queens in India. There was a brief
question and answer period and then we went to bed.
Saturday
October 15, 2016 – Matiari to Murshidabad, India
We got up at
6 and went to yoga on the deck at 6:30.
We showered
and then had breakfast with the couple from Zurich, Switzerland.
We met the
group at 8:30 and went with Asif, our guide, for a walk through Matiari. The people were friendly and we saw a glimpse
of every day life in an Indian village.
We saw them
cooking on the streets, a chicken slaughtered, making bowls, engraving bowls,
cow dung put on the sides of the homes to dry, there were lots of children, and
animals roaming the streets. It was a
fun walk.
We relaxed
in our cabin and looked at the shore from our large windows at the front of the
river boat.
At noon, we
went to the lunch buffet in the dining room.
At 2 we went
to another movie by Sridhar Rangaihn, “Breaking Free”, a more recent
documentary that he did. I talked to him
for a while and life in India is very different than in the US.
At 3 we had
tea in the Lounge.
At 6 we had
cocktails and then listened to the port talk about tomorrow.
At 7 we had
dinner in the dining room.
At 9 there
was a locak dance performance out on the outside deck.
We went to
bed at 10.
Sunday October
16, 2016 – Murshidabad and Baranagar, India
We were
docked in Murshidabad. We slept until
6. Tim did yoga and I slept in.
We had
breakfast at 7:45 and met our group at 8 for a tour of Murshidabad.
We loaded
onto donkey carts – 4 to a cart – and headed off through the city. Many speed bumps!
We ended up
at an old Islamic mosque with the tomb of a former leader. It was damaged heavily by earthquakes and in
a state of disrepair.
We loaded
back on the donkey carts and went to the Royal Museum – a large palace called
the Palace with 1,000 doors. We spent an
hour in the museum looking at the exhibits.
We walked
back to the ship. I scheduled a massage
and Tim went for the walk through the markets.
I was FULL
of oil from the massage – all over and in my hair. I showered and showered and showered to get
the oil off.
Tim got back
from the market and we had lunch with Jeff and Troy.
We relaxed
in our cabin for a while and then met the group for a tour of Baranagar. We walked through the village and saw how
they live. We went to an old temple,
also in a bad state of disrepair.
We walked
back through the village to the cricket grounds. I was the first one up at bat and I hit every
ball. Tim also played. We were the only ones in our group who would
play. It was fun.
We returned
to the river boat and relaxed until 6.
The other group returned about 5 and the river boat headed downstream
back to Murshidabad for the night. We begin
our way back to Kolkata tomorrow morning.
The return trip will be twice as fast because of the strong down river
current in the Ganges.
At 6 we went
to the lounge for a cocktail and the briefing on tomorrow’s activities.
At 7 we had
dinner.
Monday October
17, 2016 – Mayapur, India
We spent the
morning on the ship sailing down the Ganges.
We played Cruise Trivia and came in second.
Tim went to
a cooking demonstration.
They had an
Indian portrait artist doing sketches, but we decided we didn’t need that.
Tim went to
a cooking demonstration with Chef Zaved in the dining room.
We had lunch
and then got to Mayapur, which is where the worldwide headquarters of the Hari
Krisnas is. It was fascinating. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna,
Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare – and be happy! We got some brochures and they are crazy,
crazy, crazy.
We had
drinks and dinner and then went out on deck for some fireworks and candles that
they floated on the Ganges for us. A fun
way to wrap up the Ganges River cruise.
Tuesday
October 18, 2016 – Hugli and Chandannagar, India then back to Kolkata
We went to
Guptipara, a large village we saw the terra cotta temple, pottery making, a
business that makes the figures for their festivals, and a glimpse at Real
Bengal’s village life.
We had lunch
and sailed further south to the outskirts of Kolkata.
Enroute, we
played Indian Trivia with the tour guides.
We won second prize.
Jeff gave a
talk on future cruise sales.
Then we had
tea in the lounge.
We stopped
at Chandannagar, which is where the French settled. We could definitely see the French
influence. We visited a catholic church
before walking to a jetty and taking the tender back to the ship.
At 6:30 the
crew all came in and introduced themselves to us. The cruise director told us that this was the
first gay cruise they had done so the staff was anxious, but they loved having
us – more so than their regular cruises.
It was great fun.
We had a
dinner buffet since it was the last night.
Then to bed early as we have an early morning,.
Wednesday
October 19, 2016 – Kolkata to Jaipur
We got up
very early and had an early breakfast as we depart the ship today. We put our bags outside the cabin to be taken
from the ship.
We had
checked out yesterday so we turned in our key cards and left the ship and
boarded the bus. We drove to Mother
Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity. Her tomb is there, a small museum, and her
bedroom, just as the way it was when she died there.
We then went
to an orphanage and visited with some of the disabled children and then some
infants.
We got to a
mall at the Swisshotel. We were early so
walked around the mall for a while but most shops were closed until 11. We went to a restaurant at the Swisshotel for
a buffet lunch.
We then
loaded on the buses and drove to the Kolkata Airport. We checked in and paid for our overweight
baggage – about $60.
The 2 hour
flight was uneventful.
We landed in
Jaipur, retrieved our luggage and got on the buses.
The drive
into Jaipur was interesting with several very fancy large homes lit up in neon,
one lit up like a multi-colored lotus flower.
Several large beautiful buildings.
Jaipur had a new and and old section.
The new section has large avenues and is much cleaner than any place we
have seen so far.
We got to
the Taj Rambaugh Palace ane checked in.
Tim and I had a huge suite with entryway, living room and separate
sitting area, huge bedroom with another sitting area, dressing room, walk-in
closet and a huge bathroom with two shower heads and a jacuzzi that would
accommodate 4 adults.
We had a
complimentary bottle of wine so enjoyed that and then went to dinner in the
austentatious ballroom. For dinner, each
of us had a separate platter with individual bowls of Indian food. It was good.
After dinner
we went back to our suite and there was a huge party in the garden outside our
room – with amplified music and singing.
I waited until after 11 to call, and they told me that they would shut
down the music. And they did. I was congested so didn’t sleep that well but
Tim was out like a light.
Thursday
October 20, 2016 – Jaipur, India
We slept
late so missed breakfast. We had to
leave 7:30 to get in line early for the elephant ride up to the Amber
Fort. It was great fun but the hawkers
were in our face the entire time selling their “stuff”.
The elephant
ride was about 20 minutes and fun. I
tipped the driver and then Ravi gave us a guided tour of the fort. Great tour.
On the way
down to the jeeps that would take us from the fort, the hawkers were all over
us again. I bought a picture of us on
the elephant for 100 rupees (about $1.50), but then another photographer had an
entire book of 10 pictures. He wanted
$20 for the entire book. No – No – No.
We got in a
jeep with the other Larry and started down from the fort. Well, the photographer jumped onto the back
and started selling the pictures again.
When he offered all of the pictures for 100 rupees ($1.50) I took them
and he finally left. It was worth $1.50
to get rid of him.
The jeep
took us to the bus and we headed back into Jaipur.
Ravi stopped
at the Water Palace so we could take pictures.
We then went
into the old city and to the palace of the last maharajah. Beautiful structures and artifacts. We went through the reception hall where the
maharajahs received visitors and there were pictures of the last maharajahs.
We then went
to an “observatory” that one of the maharajahs had built as he was into
astronomy. There were lots of sun dials
there they he had created.
We then went
to the Taj Palace for a huge lunch – individual platters with lots of bowls of
Indian food – some spicy, some not so spicy.
After lunch,
we got on the “shopping bus” and went to the old city. The first stop was a rug maker and they sang
the weaver’s song, showed us how they did the knots, how they burned the back
of the carpet, how they trimmed the front of the carpet, and how they created
the fringes. We then went to a
presentation upstairs and they shows us rugs – lots of rugs. Many of our fellow travelers ended up buying
rugs. Tim and I went upstairs and looked
at the textiles – they can custom make a suit in 6 hours.
After that,
Tim suggested we take a taxi back to the hotel as I wasn’t feeling well with a
congested head. Ravi had a private car
available so they drove us back to the Rambaugh Palace. I took some drugs and immediately laid down
and slept for over 2 hours. Tim roamed around the Palace grounds.
We got
dressed and went to the Polo Club for a drink.
Then Tim had made reservations for dinner at Steam in the locomotive
that the Maharajah had bought in England.
It was a simple but good meal.
We walked to
see the indoor/outdoor pool and then went back to our suite. Last night in this luxury.
A great
visit to Jaipur.
Friday October
21, 2016 – Jaipur to Agra, India
We got up at
5:30 and went to an early breakfast.
We put the
bags out and they were immediately taken to the bus.
Noel and
Alan came to see our suite – which rents for $6,000 a night. It was extravagant.
We loaded on
the bus at 7:50 and left about 8.
After making
our way thru Jaipur, we got on a highway which was in fairly good shape.
Lots of
farmland and towns along the road.
We arrived
in Agra at 2 and went to a buffet lunch at the Oberoi Amarylis Hotel – an
elegant 5 star hotel. Another Indian
food buffet.
We had a
short while to settle in our room that had a view of the Taj Mahal. At 3:30 we left for short city tour. The city of Agra is crowded and dirty and
congested. We drove to the Red Fort and
Vishal gave us a tour through the parts that were open. We saw where the Maharajah was imprisoned by
his son who killed his brothers and took all of the power. The Maharajah who was imprisoned was the one
who built the Taj Mahal for his wife.
Both are entombed there.
We then
drove to the other side of the river for a sunset viewing of the Taj
Mahal. Beautiful. A group picture followed.
We got back
to the Oberoi and I laid down. Tim went
down to the cocktail reception and I joined him for dinner. We had another Indian food buffet and ate
with Noel and Alan and the boys from Dallas.
We went to
bed about 10 as we have a very early morning tomorrow for a sunrise viewing of
the Taj Mahal.
Saturday
October 22, 2016 – Agra to New Delhi, India
We got up at
4:00 and had coffee at 5:00. We left at
5:30 in electric gold carts to stand in line to get into the Taj Mahal for
sunrise. There were lots of people. They opened the gates at sunrise – 6:21 – and
we had to go through security. Vishal
gave us an overview of the property and pointed out items of interest and
explained the schedule. We left to
explore on our own and take pictures.
The Taj Mahal is stunning.
We met back
with the group at 8 am and were driven by the electric golf carts back to the
Oberoi for breakfast. It was great.
I worked on
my computer while Tim walked around the property and explored. We skipped the shopping tour. At noon, Tim
checked us out of the hotel and we went to eat yet again – another Indian food
buffet. I’m over it, so I had different
things. We met the group at 1, loaded
our luggage on the buses and took off for New Delhi about 1:40. It’s a 4-5 hour trip. Getting out of Agra was the difficult part
but then the highway was multi-laned and great.
3-4 lanes in each direction.
Unfortunately, the sun was on our side of the bus so we had to keep the
curtains closed most of the time.
It took
forever to get across New Delhi due to the traffic – congested at every
intersection. We finally arrived at the
airport and checked in at the Radisson Blu.
The room was less than satisfactory as it was a smoking room. We retrieved the luggage we had left in Delhi
two weeks before and went to the room.
We went to
the bar for a drink and then ordered a light dinner and bottle of wine. We watched a game on TV of “padoola” or
something like that. It was India versus
Iran.
We finished
dinner and went to bed.
Sunday
October 23, 2016 – New Delhi to Varanasi, India
We got up
early and had breakfast at 7. We checked
out and left 2 bags at the Radisson Blu as we’ll be back here tomorrow night
for our final night in India.
We loaded
the luggage on the bus and headed to the airport to check in for our flight to
Varanasi. Air India with Star Alliance
and they did a good job with a snack.
We landed in
Varanasi and got our bags and loaded on a bus.
There are only 24 of us now as half of the group left in Delhi. The ride into Varanasi was again on a road
under construction. At one place they
had torn the front half of buildings down to build the road.
We got to
the Taj Gateway which is supposedly the best hotel in Varanasi, but it wasn’t
much. Small room and very small
bathroom.
We had a
buffet lunch and some free time. We left
the Taj at 4 and headed into Varanasi.
We stopped as we neared the Old City and got into rickshaws for the ride
to the Ganges. Our driver was sweating
and huffing and puffing with both of us on board but he did good. I tipped him even though they told us not to.
The rickshaw
ride was incredible – people, cows, dogs, motorcycles, buses, cars, beggars,
vendors, and whatever going every which a way with car horns and bike bells
sounding the entire time! It was fun.
We got to the
river and walked the rest of the way trying to avoid cow patties and other
trash which was everywhere. We walked
down long steps to the River Ganges – Mother Ganga – and Ravi Shankar, our
guide, explained through our headsets what was happening. A young boy talked to me trying to sell me
his postcards. We loaded on a river boat
decorated with garlands of flowers. We
first cruised to the cremation grounds where there were at least 15 funeral
pyres burning. Ravi explained that they
put clarified butter on the bodies so there is no smell. Several other bodies were brought to the
river awaiting cremation while we watched.
We then went
to watch the evening ceremony of fire.
The priests lined up and waved large candelabras of candles lit in the
air around and around while chanting and music was sung and played. It was a bit distracting as the boats were
all jockeying for position and the boats men were loud.
We went back
to shore and had a long walk in the crowds to get back to the rickshaws. The young boy found me wanting me to pay $20
for the postcards. I offered $1 and then
$2 but he refused to sell.
Our driver –
something like Dennis – sought us out probably because I had tipped him
before. Before we left, I gave the boy
$2 and 100 rupees – about $3.50 total. I
found out the next day that we could have bought 2 of the postcard books for
100 rupees – about $1.50. Any of us who
bought those overpaid.
The ride
back to the bus was long and fascinating – a lot going on all around us.
My foot went
to sleep on the bike and I could hardly walk when we got to the bus.
It was a
short ride back to the Taj Gateway. We
went straight to the bar and had a drink.
We went to the buffet dinner with Gary and Dennis and enjoyed a bottle
of wine.
Then we went
to bed as we have a very early day tomorrow to see the sunrise on the River
Ganges.
Monday
October 24, 2016 – Varanasi, India
We got up at
4:30 and had a wake up call at 4:45. We had coffee in the room and met the
group at 5:30 am. We loaded on the bus
and today there wasn’t much traffic out early so the bus took us to the river
and we had a much shorter walk. Axos
from Zurich almost got run over by a bull though!
We arrived
at the river and Ravi explained the purification washing in the river – people
bathing all over.
We got into
another boat and went down to the cremation grounds first – only a couple of
funeral pyres going this morning but they were preparing a couple to
start.
We cruised
west up the Ganges and watched the bathers and the rituals that they went
through. We saw the sun rise as we
cruised and the reflection on the Ganges was great. Ravi gave us small floating candles that they
lit and allowed us to put into the Ganges.
We then
headed east and went to the oldest part of Varanesi. We stopped and went by an old mosque and
through the narrow streets.
Back to the
shore, we walked back up the long stairs and made our way back to the bus. The city streets are getting busy and the
young boys selling things found us again.
We loaded on
the bus and returned to the Taj Gateway for breakfast.
I then
worked on my real estate license renewal course and Tim went on the tour of a
silk factory and he bought a bed draping.
Tim went to
lunch at 11:30 and I continued to work on my course. We left the hotel on the bus at 12:30 and
headed to the airport. Mr. Modi, the
Prime Minister, is from Varanasi and he’s in town so they were expecting
traffic backups but we only encountered one.
We saw several cars with bodies on top headed to the cremation grounds
on the Ganges. This is where all Indians
want to be cremated.
We got to
the airport and went through several levels of security.
We loaded
onto the IndiGo plane and left right on time for the hour’s flight to New
Delhi.
On arrival
in Delhi, we retrieved our luggage, loaded on the bus and returned to the
Radisson Blu.
We checked
in and got our bags from storage and went to our room.
We went to
the bar for a drink and met up with Jeff and Larry from CA. The LA Boys came in later.
We went to
the kebab restaurant and had a great dinner – very large dinner. Lots of food and desserts.
We went to
the room and Tim went to bed while I finished my recertification course for my
real estate license. I went to bed about
11 but had trouble sleeping with sinus drainage.
Tuesday
October 25, 2016 – New Delhi, India to Istanbul, Turkey to Miami, Florida to Ft
Lauderdale
A very long
day begins.
We got up at
2 am and checked out so we could meet our transportation at 2:50 am for the
short trip to the airport. He was
waiting for us in the lobby.
We checked
in with Turkish Airlines Business Class only to find out that our Istanbul to
Miami flight had been cancelled. Tim was
furious and started making a scene. Why
won’t he just let me handle it. We need
the agents help in a case like this.
She finally
rerouted us to JFK, so we’ll be flying from Delhi to Istanbul, Istanbul to JFK,
and the JFK to Ft Lauderdale (instead of Miami) via Jet Blue. There is no business class but at least we
get home.
We then went
to the Lounge and had some coffee and used the internet.
We loaded up
on time and I slept most of the way to Istanbul. Tim watched movies and had breakfast.
In Istanbul
we went to the beautiful lounge and had coffee/tea and snacks and used the
internet.
We were only
there about an hour and then headed to the gate. There were at least 4 checks of our documents
and boarding pass. No early boarding for
business class as we are going to a very remote gate. But when I checked in my seat wasn’t
there. So they reassigned me to a bulkhead
seat. Tim and I won’t be sitting
together but at least we’ll get there.
Tim ended up
in a middle seat and wasn’t happy but
the person next to him (my original seat) didn’t show, so he moved to an aisle.
A good
dinner of lamp chops and French wine. I
watched The Dressmaker which was good.
I slept for
about an hour and a half. I hooked my
phone into the free wifi on the plane so was able to keep up with email during
the flight. We flew over Oslo, Iceland
and Greenland.
We landed at
JFK at 5:45, went through immigration and retrieved our bags. That took forever to get our bags. We went through customs and rechecked our
bags to FLL. We had to change terminals
at JFK to get from Turkish Air to Jet Blue so we took the Sky Train. We arrived at Jet Blue and were told that we
need new boarding passes from Jet Blue.
The agents were slow and we had 10 minutes to get to the gate. We finally got those, I was TSA Pre but Tim
wasn’t. It ended up we got through
security at the same time.
The gate was
at the end of the terminal and we loaded up – to the very back of the
plane. At least we are on the last
flight headed home.
It took an
hour to taxi and take off. Uneventful
flight and we arrived in FLL about 11 pm.
We got our bags – they actually made it – ordered an Uber and headed
home.
Straight to
bed.
What an
adventure – Time to plan another one.
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