A Passage to India

[KitKat]

A Passage to India

Thought I should write a trip report for this rather unusual trip for me.
Firstly, going to India – I will be out of my comfort zone (my colleagues had been worried that I would not cope with the crowds etc)
Secondly, this trip has not involved any Michelin Starred restaurant (well close, as we would be going to Nahm in Bangkok on our return from India).
It all started when +1 decided that she wanted to go to India a couple of years ago. However each time that we have tried to go, a terrorist event or threat would make us change our plans. This time we decided we would just go…

As this was going to be a bit of adventure for us, I thought we would need some R&R after India, so I thought we should base ourselves in Bangkok. Fly from Bangkok to Delhi return.
Due to work commitments (or rather my procrastination), we nearly did not manage to go… The Indian visa process takes about 5 working days from date of submission at the visa office.
There is a submission office in MEL. You have an online form which you fill, register and print out. This needs to be taken along with a 2 by 2 inch passport photo to the visa submission office. Don’t worry – there is a service next door to get your photo taken for $10.
We managed to get our passports back two days before we were due to fly out! Close one!

 

[KitKat]

The plan would be to go to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. We hired a driver and a car for the duration of our stay to get us from Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and back to Delhi.
We had opted for a Toyota Innova – I think this is the most comfortable way to see the country for two adults, maybe 3 if one sits in the front seat with the driver.

The day before departure from Melbourne – as usual with the pre Christmas rush of work and chores, we left packing to the last minute – packing way past midnight. Next morning, our driver arrived on time and soon we were off to MEL.

QF418 MEL-SYD
After a quick bite in the J lounge, it was off to boarding. Uneventful J flight apart from the compartment above us being full, so we had to pop our gear in the compartment behind our seats.
Saw some AFFs (anchew) on the way to the Xmas Flounge lunch do at the Dom-Int transfer hall.
Had a nice lunch at the SYD Flounge prior to boarding. Said hello to some AFFs on the way to the Xmas do.

 

[KitKat]

Finished lunch with one of these.

QF 23 SYD-BKK
Another uneventful QF J flight again.



Sky Bed Mk1 angled lie flat



G&T before meal



The fish main was very dry….


Somehow, have not been offered any chocolates at the end of the meal despite this being noted on the menu. My strike rate for this is about 1 in 5! Perhaps I have nodded off and missed the chocolate run!

 

[KitKat]

Lychee and mango dessert



midlflight snack


Received priority immigration passes with the immigration forms for Bangkok.

 

[KitKat]

Found the priority immigration area at BKK and was soon waiting for the luggage. Priority tags worked today – bag was third bag out.
Walked out into the arrivals area looking for the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit placard. Not visible in the sea of placards. So spoke to a friendly agent from another hotel who promptly messaged the SGS rept. After a few minutes wait we were in the car on the way to SGS.
This would be our first time to SGS. I was a little anxious as we usually stay at the Grand Hyatt Erawan (for the excellent executive club floor) or the Mandarin Oriental (for the service and river view).
Whisked up into the lift on arrival, did not even notice the lobby! In room check in, was upgraded to a Grande Suite. Was told about the extensive platinum benefits (breakfasts, pre dinner drinks, 4 items of laundry per day etc).




View from room next morning

 

[KitKat]

Next morning, experienced the wonderful SGS breakfast. Then it was downtown to Paragon for a bit of shopping.

Lunch in Paragon (one of the restaurants that seemed buzzing with locals).



fish egg salad (those round eggs were not particularly tasty - well you don't know if you don't try)

We always try the crab fried rice whenever it is on the menu

 

[KitKat]

Then went down to the supermarket looking for last minute supplies that we did not manage to organise prior to leaving.


like to see that "exterminate rat" supplies are available



Then back to SGS to enjoy the well known hospitality at predinner drinks.


Room service again prior to an early night as we had to leave the next morning at 0500.

 

[Major]

Great TR...looking forward to the India photos

 

[TonyHancock]

Excellent report. I'm looking forward to following this. I know simongr has done an India trip report and it is a place I really want to visit.

This has the makings of a roller-coaster trip report...we have had F lounge chips and a dessert wearing a toupe already!!

The crab fried rice looked very tasty.

Thanks for sharing, much appreciated.....and for once I am very jealous!!

 

[LadyC]

Ah India....certainly a challenging country at times! I hope you managed to enjoy yourself there and I am interested to read about your dining at Nahm.

 

[KitKat]

Thanks Major, TonyHancock and LadyC for the comments.

Room service at SGS is great. Reasonable prices and good food.

 

[PrincessK]

Great report so far - can't wait to read the rest of it. India is on my bucket list but I remain a little wary about the best way to see this amazing country.

 

[KitKat]

Travel day to Delhi

Great service from SGS – my espresso arrived at 0445 in the room (this was offered on check in). Easy check out with no surprises on the bill. Then off in the hotel car to BKK. Traffic seemed to be building up even this early.

TG 323 BKK-DEL
Managed to find the VAT pre check in counter to get the required stamp, then off to check in. No queue at the J counter. There is priority immigration processing for TG J customers, they just check your boarding pass. Once processed, collected our VAT refund and off to the lounge. Decided to go to the smaller TG lounge near our gate.

Regional A330 - don't take the first row in J, they are narrower I believe due to the curvature at the pointy end.

Great service. OK regional hard product. Picked day flights as I knew they were not lie flat seats.


lots of legroom

too early for bubbly - so had the iced tea welcome drink

Good attentive service.
Flight was comfortable.
Entertainment was a limited selection of looped movies with in-arm personal screen

 

[docjames]

Ironic given your username that you don't get the chocolates.

Great TR so far, looking forward to India!

 

[KitKat]

Flight had to circle for close to an hour over DEL (perhaps due to fog restricting activity on runways). I had been warned about this for Dec but chose this time still to go as I was keen to be in North India during winter while it was cold.


Fog at Delhi on arrival



IGA arrivals was quite busy. There is a J/F immigration counter close to the diplomatic counter. So the wait was not too long.
Got some INR after picking up our bag, then it was off to the outside!

 

[KitKat]

Hmm, got to the outside. Well, there was a sea of people looking at us. Started looking for our driver. After a quick walk along the barrier, I found him holding up my name. Quiet fellow. Did not say much on the way to the car. Got a bit concerned as we walked outside, along a paved path to the carpark building. Went up in a lift and arrived at the car.
Once in the car, we had a brief chat (really quiet guy) about our plans. First it was off to the hotel.
Our adventure has begun!

Due to the terrible crime that had occurred in the preceding days in Delhi and resulting response, many of the roads around the hotel were closed and security was tight. Police on every corner. Traffic was bad. Took us about two hours to get to the hotel (was told usually takes about 45 minutes).

Finally arrived at the Le Meridien Delhi. A little wait at the check in desk. Once they noted my booking as a SPG platinum, was escorted up to the room for in-room check in. Upgraded to a suite. Am starting to like SPG this year (or last year). Benefits were some chocolates, nuts and a nice bottle of red, executive lounge access and internet access. As we both don’t drink that much, we usually leave the bottle of red untouched (was a nice Australian red though).




central atrium of hotel

After a quick bite in the hotel, it was off to the government emporium. We spent the whole afternoon here till closing!
The government emporium is where you can get your hands on crafts from India. Prices are fixed and you don’t need to do any bargaining. Prices are reasonable. You can get stone sculptures, wood furniture, fabrics etc here. They do shipping as well. We will be waiting for our stuff to arrive!

Then back to the hotel, dinner at their Monsoon restaurant. Modern take on Indian food.
A start on lots of legumes and curry for the next few days…
After a good night’s sleep, it was off to breakfast at the executive lounge. Good variety for an executive lounge breakfast. Lounge staff offered to get us late check out etc in case we had our flight delayed due to fog. Good proactive service.
It is off to Agra today. Our first adventure on the roads in India.

 

[TonyHancock]

The "artwork" behind the bed looks like a cowhide pattern. :shock:

 

[KitKat]

Dinner at Monsoon (Le Meridien Delhi)

 

[KitKat]

The "artwork" behind the bed looks like a cowhide pattern. :shock:

Yes, good pick up, we noted that it was rather inappropriate for the location!

 

[RB]

Great report so far - can't wait to read the rest of it. India is on my bucket list but I remain a little wary about the best way to see this amazing country.

From our trip I believe KitKat is on the right track by hiring a driver & vehicle. I am happy to PM details of the driver we used-excellent english, careful driver (vital) and absolutely committed to save travel & eating. I was very wary but now planning to go back

Really looking forward to the rest of the trip report!