The departure screens were telling us that it was time to find gate B32, so we left the lounge and popped in quickly to WHS to get some puzzle books before heading for the transit. On arrival we were soon through and onto the plane, served a glass of bubbly plus a glass of water for our aspirin, put on our travel socks and placed our shoes into the tray provided.
Pushback was on time and our menus were handed out, but as Alison had preordered a low fat meal it will be a surprise. The plane seems full, though Peter has an empty seat beside him, we are sitting facing each other, so he has his seat facing rear wards, which makes for fun on take off and landing. We can hold hands, but Alison can raise the privacy screen if Pete annoys her!
As usual, Pete has no problem with the audio channels, but Alison’s does not work. It turns out she chose guitar music, which was either a faulty selection , or the volume was very low. Once it’s changed the volume appears, but is problematical to turn down.
Meals are served and Alison is pleasantly surprised to receive spiced aubergine, asparagus and a small salad, followed by baked chicken and boiled rice in a sort of Passata sauce.
A struggled to get her bed sorted as Pete was attempting to be asleep, no problems there he soon will be snoring as he had a glass of Chablis with his stone bass having had a salad starter and dessert.The babies have gone to sleep so all is quiet, breakfast order is done ready for pick up, seat belt is on view so it should be a good night.
Hot chocolate during the night sometime in between the dozing.
Morning breakfast has arrived A having raspberries and blueberries, cooked breakfast spinach instead of egg, bacon mushroom tomato on my low fat diet apple juice and earl grey tea. P had fruit salad, smoked salmon, scrambled egg and cream cheese, pastries orange juice and tea.
At 6.50 a lady came to sit next to Pete she had only been sitting in a broken chair all night, and only reported it so the next person wouldn’t have the same problem.
Pilot came on “cruising 37.000 it was 7.15 and just starting our decent expecting to be in around 7.55am”. Once landed we made sure we had everything from drawer and over head, said our goodbyes to the crew and off we went to find Immigration having completed our forms. The queues were long and then a voice yelled “over 65s come this way”, so we did and before too long we were through, collected our luggage and looking for our agent.
We found Inder who showed us where to get money. Pete transferred sterling to rupees and A just used her debit card; once done we found our driver called Mr. Madan who took us safely through the chaos of Delhi traffic to our hotel which is the Imperial.
On arrival at this old majestic hotel refreshing towels were waiting for us and once the necessaries had been done we had a tour of the hotel bars restaurants etc., noting where we will be having afternoon tea at 4 pm before ending up at our room and given a guided tour of that also.
Having had a rest whilst all wifi was being sorted out we were soon raring to go. Went outside to find an event about to happen with a broad blue carpet down the middle of the drive. We found the spa and ended up having a steam jacuzzi and a treatment A had a Potli and P had an Abhyanga massage. Alison’s first ever massage, afterwards it was jasmine tea for P and ginger tea for A.
Quick back upto our room to get hair fixed and then back down to much amusement of staff as we still can’t work out where the lift is. Soon found a table guided by some very smart waiters still trying to work out the colour coding and styles of uniform. Our high tea was served by Amit in his jovial friendly manner, and yes A did have some cakes no more now (for this week)
We then went outside before it got dark and found where we go for the pool tomorrow after our tour, we sat down had a tonic or soda and carried on with the blog. Just got upto room when a smart house keeping gentleman rang the bell to turn down our room and close the curtains for the night. A embarrassed as room was not as tidy as it should have been, cases open clothes on chairs you get my drift.
Gauvar our guide made contact to say that he would see us at 10.00 am tomorrow and not as originally arranged for tonight.