Tag: Delhi

Delhi, Bhutan, Nepal & Dubai Journey Days Twelve & Thirteen: Pokhara To Dubai Via Delhi, 1 & 2 April 2000

Saturday 1 April 2000

Rose early to see sunrise, then after breakfast sat around pool until time to leave. Short tour of Pokhara plus last minute shopping (got the tongs!) on way to airport.

Kept waiting around at Pokhara airport for a nerve wrangling 2 1/2 to 3 hours with various excuses, etc. Got away just in time to make our connection at Kathmandu, where we were searched more times than I can ever remember. Long wait at Delhi for luggage etc. Got to hotel just in time to chow down (tandoori and tikka chicken rice, daal etc) and lie down for a couple of hours before…

Sunday 2 April 2000

…rising at 1:15 am! to head back to airport. Emirates flight from Delhi to Dubai could win awards for worst meal and least comfort – so much for Emirates!

Arrived at Ritz Carlton at 8:00 to 8:30 local time. We take some breakfast and then get given a naff room. We wash, go meet our local rep, eat her brain and sign up for tomorrow’s bus tour. By the time that’s done, we’ve been allocated a great room. We spend the middle of the day by the beach. I fell asleep for less than an hour covered in factor and still red as a beet! Avoided sun for the rest of the day (sat in shade) and went to Splendido for dinner where we had lobster bisque, lamb fillet (Janie), veal chop (me) and were stuffed by halfway through the main course!

This picture of us in Splendido, actually from our last night, not our first.

Early night.

You can see all the pictures from that final leg of our journey on the Flickr album linked here and below.

01 30 March 2000 - we fly to Pokhara on this! DBD_J14_Photo05_4

Delhi, Bhutan, Nepal & Dubai Journey Day Two: From Delhi To Thimpu Via Kathmandu, 20 March 2000

We arrived in Bhutan on half the air fleet

Crack of dawn start – brought toast and bacon to our room – off at 5:30 for airport. After excess baggage debacle, said goodbye temporarily to Delhi and flew off to Paro via Kathmandu.

A neurotic American woman got off at Kathmandu and then returned flustered and apologetic. She turned out to be the tour guide from American group!

Bhutan’s sole airport

Drove from Paro to Thimpu – not an especially spectacular drive. We were driven by our guide Pema, as our driver is ill.

Pema Gyalpo was a wonderful guide for our week in Bhutan. I have a feeling he ended up being our driver and guide throughout the week. We’re still in touch, 25 years later (as I write) and I’ll write more on him as the story of our journey unfolds.

Had lunch at Plums (pork, noodles, potato cheese, rice) then checked into hotel before heading off to shops.

Farce at handicraft emporium where our chosen goods got lost between the ticketing and the payment booth!

Found a small shop with a wacky lady, Tsering Dolkar, who will hopefully make Janie a Toego.

Back to hotel for rest, supper and early night.

The re are other pictures from this day, within the Flickr album below – Nos 21 to 32:

01 9 March 2000 Delhi Imperial Hotel - Ian with the doorman and our guide Harmahindra Singh and driver G Singh DBD_J1_Photo01_0

Delhi, Bhutan, Nepal & Dubai Journey Day One: A Day In Delhi, 19 March 2000

Delhi Imperial Hotel – with doormen, our guide Harmahindra Singh and driver Gurcharin Singh

We didn’t hang around in those days – our itineraries were not for the faint-hearted. We landed at midday, dropped our bags and did a quick change at the Delhi Imperial, then went out touring for the afternoon. That was our Delhi slot and by gosh we filled it.

Arrived on time (early). Picked up by Harmahindra Singh and Gurcharin Singh. Did a quick change and then went off touring with them.

Went to see sites – New Delhi including presidents house, India Gate and Parliament House. Old Delhi (through Lahore Gate) to see Jamamasjid Mosque, Red Fort & bazaars in Old Delhi. Tried but found nothing to buy.

Back to hotel for wash/rest and then mild Indian meal of Tikka and kebabs and daal and rice. Early night.

If you want to see all the pictures from this day, they are on the following Flickr album – Nos 1 to 20 – just click the pic.

01 9 March 2000 Delhi Imperial Hotel - Ian with the doorman and our guide Harmahindra Singh and driver G Singh DBD_J1_Photo01_0