Hi again!
It's time for the first trip of the year. It was planned for some time, and was focused mostly on aviation experience, but also with some interesting place to go. As I had some miles on my account, I decided to burn them. After checking what is available, I decided, that I will go to India. So, for my trip there, I decided to go with A380 First, as "my first First". It's a daytime flight from Munich, so a great opportunity to enjoy the experience. I had a plan to bo back with the same way (for about 10.000 miles more than a business cabin), but than I saw that LH flies classic 747-400 to FRA, so I booked upper deck. Nighttime flight, so not that much to enjoy. Of course, connecting flights from Warsaw.

During my stay in New Delhi, I booked on food tour, on my first day there, also a Taj Mahal trip with 1st class train and guided tour, and a Jaipur full day tour. After checking for something more, I found the Indian Accent, which is considered as the best restaurant in New Delhi (or one of them), so after some pain I got a table there.

For sure this will not be a live TR (I'm already in MUC), but I will do my best to post something daily.

Hopę that you will enjoy it!

Looking forward to your take. Just finished Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur!

Look forward to reading it !

Did the Golden Triangle last year. Immensely impressed by the Taj Mahal, and I had already high expectations! Did not care much for Jaipur.

Bon voyage!

So, the start was really boring - quick Bolt to Chopin, luggage checked-in, lounge with just a few bites. Nothing new here. Lufthansa also took care to make sure nothing will be new on my flight to MUC. Only new thing - I was boarded as Group 1, so ahead of everyone.





We got a remote stand, which usually is far from good, especially with -2 degrees and jacket in your checked bag, but maybe not today





Ride was quick and effective, and I was promptly escorted to the lounge. Next stop - first class lounge. Spoiler:

I was promptly escorted to the lounge, and asked to give my passport to clear all the formalities. I will get it back when going out. Smooth experience. I had about 4 hours to spend, which was quite a time. Unfortunately, I also had some work to finish, so I spent 1st hour on this, sipping smoothie and an espresso, which was quite surprising for the staff, as I was asked like every 10 minutes if I'm sure that I don't want anything more.



As you may guess, we are in place, where drink list should not be short.



After finishing my work, it was time to check the content of this ice bucket



Mandatory photo



Cigar lounge with separate self-serve bar




After testing another champagne, it was time for a breakfast, so let's go to the restaurant section.








Of course, this is not the whole menu, just some part of it. Glass of rose champagne to start, because why not



And a beef tartare to start. Nice flavors, quite big chunks, so texture was there.




For the main breakfast course I went with the steak (asked for medium and medium it was) with a glass of Bordeaux. Steak was great, wine was nothing to tell about.




Time for a shower. Nothing fancy, no potions and lotions. Rather effective place to refresh before the flight.



Just before leaving the lounge, I thought that it would be a real insult to not check the whisky list. So, quick sampling, and off to the gate.



I got my passport back, and it was about 10 minutes walk to the gates. Yes, gates, as boarding was scheduled to be done via 3 gates. Hello, big whale!

Interested to see your impressions of India, I�ve never been interested to visit.

If you could easily book somewhere else, like Japan in First Class would you have gone there?

Japan is also on my list, but:
- availability os lower
- points needed are higher
- I think Japan requires at least 2 weeks which is not something that I can for now. Also, I'm not that experienced in long-haul trips, jet lags, etc., so I prefer to go step-by-step.

So, my apologies for the delay, but days run fast and internet here is... well, far from good. Even wifi in my hotel can play some tough games. But, let's go back to the flight.

Boarding was reserved for F and C from 1 gate, so finally we boarded the plane via 1R, which is quite unique. My seat:



And my private wardrobe



All the expected basics were already at the seat, and pajamas were delivered soon after




No time should be wasted





Some significant mishap of the flight - it really took some time between setting the table and starting the service. Maybe 40 minutes? For sure too long. But, back to good things - there is only one proper way to start the F flight




After that, I tried the tuna tataki and cajun carrots with Niepoort wine. All very good



For main (orders were taken before take-off), I opted for paneer dish to get into Indian mood. Paired with Romania red. Quite good wine, BTW!




Cheese plate to conclude the meal. There was a "regular" 20 YO Niepoort porto, as well as offering of the month, 40 YO DOW's, so it was time to compare them.





Well, Niepoort is a clear winner, which may be a shame, as it's half of the age, and a quarter of(maybe?) of the price.

I took a short nap, maybe slightly more than an hour, but without making the bed, so no report here. Before landing I opted for a sushi plate and some cold cuts. Both were good.



The crew was really good. They did what was possible to make this experience great. Box of chocolates was offered before landing.

No additional service after landing, so your experience comes to an end when you step off the plane.
So, will I fly F again? With miles why not, with my own money - not really. It's a pleasurable experience, but prices are far too crazy for me. Worth trying, can live without doing this every time

The driver from the hotel was promptly at the airport, maybe a 45-minute ride and I was in my hotel. Paid with card on arrival, no issues here.

My first day in Delhi - so time for some sightseeing. As usual, I tried to walk, which finally was done (21 km), but it was not a pleasant experience. So, for my next days, I changed the approach, and trusted tuk-tuks for longer distances.

Red Fort (museum is not worth paying extra, just skip it)







And Tombs and temples. BTW, you can find temple literally everywhere here.







I also went to the India Gate, but I will cover it in a separate post (spoiler - go at the sunset!). I will also write about the food in dedicated post.
More or less, this was the end of the first day.

In the 2nd evening I had a booked food tour via GYG. We met at the entrance to the metro station, just next to the Red Fort. The trip lasted for about 3 hours and had a tuk-tuk ride included. So, pictures of our food:















The last 2 stops were close to the Mosque area, which was crazy crowded, but picturesque.





Unfortunately, one of the members of our group was pickpocketed there and lost his phone and wallet (guide warned us about it, to be fair).
Faizy was our guide, and absolutely can recommend him. If you want to book him directly - here is his WhatsApp: +919911775319. I didn't tell him that I will post his number here, but as it's his job, I may suspect than he may not object.

So, let's move from chronological order, and - as promised - India Gate. This is the memorial of fallen soldiers, and I think that all names of them are displayed there, but also on screens around. I went there twice, once during the day, and also at the sunset time. I think the winner is clear















One important thing - this a place for school groups to visit, so expect a crowd.

Time for the icon - Taj Mahal. I booked a trip there (to Agra) with pickup from hotel, 1st class train (with breakfast), and guided tour to Taj Mahal and (to select from) "Baby Taj" or Red Fort. As Red Fort in Agra is literally the same as in Delhi, the choice was clear, and worth it.

My driver showed up as scheduled at brutal 7 a.m. and took me to the train station, and even pointed my seat. I got tickets via WhatsApp day earlier.





For Indian standard this is a really luxury train. I purchased canned coffee, which was milky and sweet, but did the job. Soon after the first part of breakfast was served, with hot dish followed some time later. Options were "veg and non veg", but when I said, that meat was OK, I was given VEG, and I didn't say "non VEG". But it was really tasty. Cereals were also available.





The tray looks like a set of random things that were thrown there, and more or less that's true At least you can have a toast with jam. But no knife.

I was collected as scheduled, and driven to entrance. With meeting with monkeys (will tell more about them later, but spoiler is down there)





And the main hero of the event




















WOW, WOW and WOW, that's only thing I can say. The entrance is done in this way, that Taj slowly appears, and after few steps you are literally punched in your face with it's beauty. It's perfect on one hand, and really humble on the other. Absolutely one of the greatest monuments that I saw in my life. You formally can't take pictures inside, so let's agree that I got it from somewhere
As this post is already photo-heavy, will continue in the next one.

So, Baby Taj was not far from "The Proper Taj", but first a little bit unwanted stop to a marble workshop with - as you may guess - crazy overpriced items. Luckily, I was able to quickly escape from there.




So, to the temple (but it's actually a tomb, as well as the Taj, but this one for mother and father of the king that constructed the "proper" one)











Locators are of course present




After that, I was driven for a lunch to a Hilton property (as fast as as I remember). OK buffet, some good things to try (drink chargeable extra, beer for 500 INR)





I was taken to a one shop, as I suggested that I want to get some magnets and a small figure of an elephant for my coworker. Of course, crazy overpriced. So I clearly said, I'm no more interested in such "experiences". So, I dropped to a Costa coffee and explained that driver will be back in 2 hours to get me to the train station. That is how you end when you don't want to participate in a rip-off. So, I decided to walk to see the Red Fort.






And it was the time to go to the station. Of course, more monkeys there, but will talk about this later. This time, slightly less appealing train







There were also some "instant" dishes available, but I was not offered any. Being still quite full after lunch, I didn't care.

Summary: Taj is great, it's a must-see. Baby Taj was also great. But here is the point when the trip should end. And than it would be great. I rated them with 4 stars on GYG, but honestly, it's more 3-star experience. And the guide was very focused on getting a tip.

Again, delay in reporting, but coming back was brutal regarding work.

For the next day I had scheduled car trip to Jaipur, so called "pink city". As guide told me pink as the symbol of hospitality, and color was at some moment of the history, the order of the king. Before, the city was yellow. It's slightly more than 3 hours drive to get there.




Quick stop for a chai (it's really tasty, but sweet)



And to the - a kind of - observatory








The world's biggest sun clock (don't tell Emirati guys )



And to the palace