Mrs. "No way am I going to India"... goes to India via Etihad & Singapore First
Feb 25, 2016, 1:48 pm
#79
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You could call me "Mr. no way I'm going to India"...but if I traveled the way you two are, I'd definitely go to India! :-)
Looks like a great trip!
Looks like a great trip!
Feb 25, 2016, 4:34 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 350
Washington to Abu Dhabi
Etihad EY 130
787-9 Dreamliner
9:10p-7:20p +1 (sked)
9:45p-6:55p +1 (actual)
February 16, 2016
First Class
Suites 1A and 2A
Despite the late departure from IAD, we arrived early. That was the good news. The bad news is that the horrifically awful Etihad ground experience shows no sign of improving any time soon. We've been relegated to a remote stand. Ten minutes for the stairs to be in position.
Seriously? Even Emirates has a First Class Bus for remote stands.
Etihad EY 130
787-9 Dreamliner
9:10p-7:20p +1 (sked)
9:45p-6:55p +1 (actual)
February 16, 2016
First Class
Suites 1A and 2A
Despite the late departure from IAD, we arrived early. That was the good news. The bad news is that the horrifically awful Etihad ground experience shows no sign of improving any time soon. We've been relegated to a remote stand. Ten minutes for the stairs to be in position.
Seriously? Even Emirates has a First Class Bus for remote stands.
Feb 26, 2016, 4:29 pm
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,609
Rambagh Palace
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Our Peirce & Leslie representative and driver met us outside the terminal. Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the historic Rambagh Palace.
After the traditional rose petal shower, we were warmly welcomed to the hotel.
And escorted to the lovely Peacock Suite, a very nice upgrade from our original booking.
While Mrs. SFO rested, I went on the 5pm walking tour of the property.
We headed out for a pre-dinner cocktail.
We were then escorted to one of the most romantic dinners ever, a private Gazebo dinner in a wonderful setting. With flower petals lining the walk all the way.
Tonight's menu.
Our own private musicians!
One's last look at our gazebo after an amazing evening.
And the walk back to our suite.
The next morning, peacocks were outside our patio area.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Our Peirce & Leslie representative and driver met us outside the terminal. Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the historic Rambagh Palace.
After the traditional rose petal shower, we were warmly welcomed to the hotel.
And escorted to the lovely Peacock Suite, a very nice upgrade from our original booking.
While Mrs. SFO rested, I went on the 5pm walking tour of the property.
We headed out for a pre-dinner cocktail.
We were then escorted to one of the most romantic dinners ever, a private Gazebo dinner in a wonderful setting. With flower petals lining the walk all the way.
Tonight's menu.
Our own private musicians!
One's last look at our gazebo after an amazing evening.
And the walk back to our suite.
The next morning, peacocks were outside our patio area.
Last edited by SFO777; Feb 28, 2016 at 1:39 am
Feb 26, 2016, 4:42 pm
#83
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Thanks wrp96.Thank you ysolde. They really are like jewelry boxes. It was nice to be a Maharajah.
Thanks offerendum.
We've done a few cruises... Alaska, Baltic Sea, Greek Isles and most recently, South of France Barge cruise.
• Belmond Alouette - Canal du Midi cruise
• Crystal - Jewels of the Baltic
• Regent Seven Seas - Alaska
I had to depart AUH on EY from a remote stand. Boarding gate was chaotic and yes, no First Class Bus to the plane either! #firstclassproblems That being said though, the (excuse of an) F lounge was fantastic, made some new friends and can't wait for the new F lounge to open.
Thank you Dieuwer. India is one of those best places best experienced with a +1.
Feb 26, 2016, 8:06 pm
#84
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Location: Anywhere I need to be.
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To be fair, it depends who that +1 is (I did get to experience it, but mainly with a client, as previously stated!)
Feb 27, 2016, 10:54 am
#85
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Staffs
Programs: BAEC, Etihad Guest, Platinum Tesco Tart
Posts: 589
Great trip report! I adore India, I've been twice and am back next year for a 3rd time - Darjeeling and Varanasi are on that itinerary.
As for old Delhi well I love it! The complete sensory overload is awesome. I'm a very pale skinned, red headed female and happily wandered around old Delhi and felt completely safe and comfortable, I was with my husband but I wouldn't feel at all uncomfortable if on my own.
Jaipur is just amazing, Agra is a dump apart from The Taj Mahal of course! I can't believe that you aren't taking Mrs SFO777 to the Taj Mahal?
Really looking forward to reading the rest of the report.
As for old Delhi well I love it! The complete sensory overload is awesome. I'm a very pale skinned, red headed female and happily wandered around old Delhi and felt completely safe and comfortable, I was with my husband but I wouldn't feel at all uncomfortable if on my own.
Jaipur is just amazing, Agra is a dump apart from The Taj Mahal of course! I can't believe that you aren't taking Mrs SFO777 to the Taj Mahal?
Really looking forward to reading the rest of the report.
Feb 28, 2016, 1:38 am
#87
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,609
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Day 1
After breakfast, we met and our excellent guide Vijay and headed out on a gloriously sunny morning. Driving by the iconic Hawa Mahal...
... to the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1827 by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II.
To the City Palace, where associate director Giles Tilotson escorted us on an informative tour of the palace.
To the fascinating Palace museum.
Followed by lunch at the City Palace restaurant.
Following lunch, a rare treat for the public with a visit to Jal Mahal. This recently restored summer lake palace in the middle of Mah Sagar Lake is apparently the victim of bureaucratic tussles that has prevented the current owners from completing their planned projects around the palace and lake.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to look at jewelry at the Silver and Art Palace.
Fortunately, Mrs. SFO agreed to "think about it" overnight... and decided the next morning that she really didn't need the jewelry. Whew!
And back to Rambagh to rest and then drinks with Thakur Durga Singh of Mandawa, scion of the the aristocratic family of Mandawa in northeast Rajasthan. And dinner in the formal dining room.
Day 1
After breakfast, we met and our excellent guide Vijay and headed out on a gloriously sunny morning. Driving by the iconic Hawa Mahal...
... to the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1827 by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II.
To the City Palace, where associate director Giles Tilotson escorted us on an informative tour of the palace.
To the fascinating Palace museum.
Followed by lunch at the City Palace restaurant.
Following lunch, a rare treat for the public with a visit to Jal Mahal. This recently restored summer lake palace in the middle of Mah Sagar Lake is apparently the victim of bureaucratic tussles that has prevented the current owners from completing their planned projects around the palace and lake.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped to look at jewelry at the Silver and Art Palace.
Fortunately, Mrs. SFO agreed to "think about it" overnight... and decided the next morning that she really didn't need the jewelry. Whew!
And back to Rambagh to rest and then drinks with Thakur Durga Singh of Mandawa, scion of the the aristocratic family of Mandawa in northeast Rajasthan. And dinner in the formal dining room.
Last edited by SFO777; Feb 28, 2016 at 2:19 am
Feb 28, 2016, 1:44 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,609
Ha, indeed.
Thanks very much SaraJH. I have to agree with you on Old Delhi but Mrs. SFO doesn't agree with us.
And the Taj? I know, I know. But she decided against going to The Taj Mahal. I think my description of Agra was a little too vivid.
Thank you so much TM78.
Great trip report! I adore India, I've been twice and am back next year for a 3rd time - Darjeeling and Varanasi are on that itinerary.
As for old Delhi well I love it! The complete sensory overload is awesome. I'm a very pale skinned, red headed female and happily wandered around old Delhi and felt completely safe and comfortable, I was with my husband but I wouldn't feel at all uncomfortable if on my own.
Jaipur is just amazing, Agra is a dump apart from The Taj Mahal of course! I can't believe that you aren't taking Mrs SFO777 to the Taj Mahal?
Really looking forward to reading the rest of the report.
As for old Delhi well I love it! The complete sensory overload is awesome. I'm a very pale skinned, red headed female and happily wandered around old Delhi and felt completely safe and comfortable, I was with my husband but I wouldn't feel at all uncomfortable if on my own.
Jaipur is just amazing, Agra is a dump apart from The Taj Mahal of course! I can't believe that you aren't taking Mrs SFO777 to the Taj Mahal?
Really looking forward to reading the rest of the report.
And the Taj? I know, I know. But she decided against going to The Taj Mahal. I think my description of Agra was a little too vivid.
Thank you so much TM78.
Feb 28, 2016, 2:18 am
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,609
Jaipur
Day 2
Getaway Day started with another delicious in-room breakfast.
We checked out around 10am and departed with our guide Vijay and driver.
Our first stop was the Jaipur "flower mart". Fascinating experience with a sensory overload of colors.
Mrs. SFO enjoying a good laugh with one of the vendors.
Then off to the spectacular Amber Fort.
OK, yeah I know it is so touristy but I decided to take an elephant ride up to the fort. Not surprisingly, Mrs. SFO declined and took our SUV up to the fort.
Fifteen painful minutes later, we're at the fort. Mrs. SFO was the smart one today.
After our visit to the Amber Fort, we headed for lunch at The Raj Palace.
Setting up for tonight's wedding.
And another delicious meal.
Just posted Mumbai and Elephanta Island on SFO777.com
New segments...
• Jet Airways Business Class to Mumbai
• The Oberoi Mumbai
• Mumbai and Elephanta Island
Will post to FT as soon as possible.
For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com
And if you like these reports, we'd love if you would sign up for e-mail alerts from SFO777.com on new trip reports and our upcoming newsletter.
Please click here.
Day 2
Getaway Day started with another delicious in-room breakfast.
We checked out around 10am and departed with our guide Vijay and driver.
Our first stop was the Jaipur "flower mart". Fascinating experience with a sensory overload of colors.
Mrs. SFO enjoying a good laugh with one of the vendors.
Then off to the spectacular Amber Fort.
OK, yeah I know it is so touristy but I decided to take an elephant ride up to the fort. Not surprisingly, Mrs. SFO declined and took our SUV up to the fort.
Fifteen painful minutes later, we're at the fort. Mrs. SFO was the smart one today.
After our visit to the Amber Fort, we headed for lunch at The Raj Palace.
Setting up for tonight's wedding.
And another delicious meal.
Just posted Mumbai and Elephanta Island on SFO777.com
New segments...
• Jet Airways Business Class to Mumbai
• The Oberoi Mumbai
• Mumbai and Elephanta Island
Will post to FT as soon as possible.
For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com
And if you like these reports, we'd love if you would sign up for e-mail alerts from SFO777.com on new trip reports and our upcoming newsletter.
Please click here.
Last edited by SFO777; Feb 28, 2016 at 2:17 pm