Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Maybe more tours of India

With such a successful trip I have decided after numerous requests to do some more tours.
The hard work is done now this trip itinerary was tested.
I think the best tour times are around Holi Festival and Diwali.
If anyone is interested in coming along let me know. India is a magnificent country but it's even better with a female guide who knows her way around.
Then we have another blog ...

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Leela

After a sleep in we had the best breakfast ever! The Leela sure knows how to do a breakfast (& best day spa experience). Some went off with PK to do some more shopping and the rest of us went back to Saronjini markets. 
This girl was so gorgeous selling bracelets I had to buy some. 


We then rushed back to the Leela so we could be picked up by Dr Shivanis drivers and taken to the Prime Ministers office to meet with the head of the medical cell Dr Dinesh Upadhyay to discuss surrogacy visa implications and how Intended parents like Paul and I love India and didn't use his Country and then discard it. We arrived and this lovely lady called Nicki (Indian lady) wanted to have us all to dinner but we never had time. The Indian people on a whole are incredibly generous people and are so hospitable. It made us all think about our own hospitality in Australia. 
Santosh, Neha, Mala and another sister arrived to also speak about how they felt about doing surrogacy and Isla was so excited to see her. She hated me brushing her hair but loved Santosh doing it. 
Here they are having a last cuddle. 
We all sat down and then came the food! Then came the camera man and 3 journalists. Their questions were very respectful and they were so great. I felt good that I could give a little back to ye world of surrogacy. 

Vanessa was asked on camera why she came and what she loved about India and her response was perfect and exactly summed up all of us. She said that she loved how India accepts everyone and it does. 
Isla wanted an ice-cream so they ran out and got her one. 

When we were leaving they ALL walked us out and stopped traffic (no mean feat in India) and told us that when we returned we would be treated like a VIP. I have no doubt. They said they needed to return the visit today and would meet us at the lobby of our hotel at 5. Didn't expect that but they turned up and had coffee and left. 
While we were sitting in the lobby we were mesmerised by a large party gathering all in magical Indian dress. I asked them what they were doing and they said it was a 50th birthday party and that his name was Vin and he had flown all 150 of them there from across the world to celebrate. Wow! 

Some of the girls visited the day spa and others had drinks in the Library. We then met for dinner in a private dining room of the Le Cirque restaurant in the motel. With only 5 of these magnificent restaurants in the world it was amazing and a great way to end our trip. 

We then woke up early to be picked up at 6am to go to the airport with PK. 
After 2 non eventful flights we arrived into Melbourbe and drove home. All with a love and respect for a Country that shows you so many things including things about ourselves. Goodbye India for now. 

The Leela - last days

We reluctantly left the Fairmont but as we were checking out we were so excited to see a traditional Indian wedding. It goes for 4-5 days and the guests were just arriving and this is what they saw on arrival...



Indian dancers! They asked us to join in so Isla, Linda and I did. They move so gracefully and it highlighted how uncoordinated I am but it's about the experience. 


Loved it! 

These were the doors to the hotel. The night before when we arrived back we had a trumpet sounding. This hotel really knows how to replicate Rajusthan era. 

The convoy of cars made our way back to Delhi. Our drivers were wonderful and forever making sure we were ok. I had previously mentioned to the girls that soft drink and chips never tasted so good but they now understand how it becomes a stable in surviving travel in India. 

We checked into the Leela which is so opulent. 



This made me laugh! The man was mopping up any water that was splashed out of the pool! 



That night we were picked up for dinner at Dr Shivanis house. We had a fabulous time and they were very hospitable. We danced to Bollywood songs and there was lots of laughter. We were all given presents.