We flew into Delhi in 2 groups - Polly and Jenny first, then Gemma, Hannah and I around 6 hours later. My colleagues at Idex had arranged a driver for our time in the North, and he'd picked up Pol and Jen to take them to a guesthouse to relax and wait for us to fly in. We landed and were met in arrivals by the girls and smiley driver Ajay, and it was straight on the road to our first destination - Agra!
The journey to Agra took around 5 hours by car. It's also possible to take the train, which is a cheaper option and I'm told a lot of fun. We decided to go for the car however, as we were on a short timescale and wanted the convenience. We were also lucky to have the support of Ajay thanks to Idex, so it was the perfect option for our trip.
Arriving into Agra itself we got caught up in some hectic traffic - many, many cars, trucks and bikes all vying for a gap in the roads, and herds of cows being given right of way over any vehicles, while monkeys darted around eating bananas and jumping from rooftops. It was a crazy welcome to Agra, but when we arrived at our hotel, the Radisson blu (thank you for the travel agent rate rooms!) it was a calming contrast - beautiful and relaxing. We jumped straight in the pool and enjoyed some cocktails, which was to become a theme of our time there!
As a self confessed "cheapskate backpacker" the luxury of Radisson blu was a bit of a shock to my system! However, it was absolutely lovely and well worth the (not at all unreasonable) price we paid for our stay. Our rooms were fantastic - spacious, clean and with a well stocked bathroom and mini bar! The beds were ridiculously comfy and the free WiFi was very handy for keeping people back home updated (translation: jealous!) about our trip. We ate in the hotel both nights and the food was delicious - a poolside bbq on night 1, and an Indian tasting feast on night 2 (my favourite meal of the stay). We also enjoyed the varied and tasty buffet breakfast, and several drinks in the hotel bar as well as by the pool. Finally, Polly, Jenny and I treated ourselves to a massage in the hotel spa (lush!) and we all made full use of the pool and sun loungers.
Our first day in India finished with us wearily calling it a night around 11:30, after chatting with a group from the British Legion who had brought their fathers and grandfathers to visit the battlefields in Northern India where they'd served in their youth. They were finishing their trip the way we were starting ours - a couple of nights chilling out at Radisson blu and a visit to the Taj Mahal. We headed to bed tired but excited for what the next day would bring...
This is the life! The pool area, and Gemma and my room
No comments:
Post a Comment