February saw us off on a trip to India and Bhutan. We had three main things on our "Bucket List" for India, being the Taj Mahal, the River Ganges and to see a tiger in the wild. The rest would just be a bonus.
Our hotels that the company "Wendy Wu" chose were all old palaces from colonial times and really enjoyable.
Like all who visit India you just can't believe what your seeing on the streets . Who would travel on an oil tanker just for a free ride. Or a bus.
How many live
The local barber shop
Of course cows have 'right of way' at all times, and the traffic just goes round them.
How they farm
In amongst the poverty there are some really beautiful places
The faces of India
Of course we rode elephants and camels and trains
And Poo, naturally, found a friend
Then to Ranthambore National Park to try and see our Tiger. We were lucky, the only group over three days to see one.
A little more of the wildlife
Then what we came to see, The Taj Mahal, Agra
Our first view, just amazing
View from the back
Then back to New Delhi for our overnight train trip to Varanasi and the Ganges River. Wow what an experience. The bulk of our luggage we left in the luggage room at our New Delhi hotel but the back-packs, camera gear passports etc was all strapped well and truly to our bodies. Necessary too, we had visitors during the night but they got the short shift. Just like the "sleeping bus" in Vietnam something we will never forget and will always bring smiles with our memories.
An evening sail on the river and very moving sitting there looking at the Funeral Pyres on the bank of the river. So pleased we were able to visit.
And while all this goes on life continues as usual.
Very early next morning we were back on the river. People coming from round the world to bathe in this river. We were happy to sit and watch as we glided by.
After a very enjoyable walk through the streets of Varanasi and some time driving to see the sights, we made our way to the airport for our flight back to New Delhi. We couldn't believe the number of vehicles leaving the Varanasi airport with bodies strapped to their roof racks , no doubt all bound for the Ganges River. It was back to our hotel for the night, a repackage and tomorrow it's Bhutan.
Bhutan has always been on our list, the main reason being wanting to see the monastery known as the Tigers Nest near Paro. So we were up really early for our trip to the New Delhi airport and our flight to Bhutan. Once again we flew close to Mount Everest and was just as magnificent as it was when we visited Nepal in 1994 and took the flight.
So happy to land in Paro. The third most dangerous airport in the world, and wow, just watching how that plane has to weave through the mountains.
Then it was a car trip to Thimpu and some beautiful scenery.And a beautiful hotel too. So different driving through the villages, so beautiful and clean. Nothing like the filth in India.
Our next stay was Punakha.
Then back to Paro.
A short walk to a monastery and sightseeing in the area.
Our walk to the "Tigers Nest"
Back down again and wonderful. Hard work but worth it.
Next day it was back on Druk Air and flying up that magnificent valley with one last look at Mt.Everest before we were back in New Delhi and on our flight home. Another great adventure.
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