wonderful report. Thanks

So happy that people continue to read this report. Happy to answer Qs and I still hope to someday post photos.

crosscheck, loved the report. I am definitely an armchair traveler and have cut and pasted so many of your comments for our group of 4 women from LA going in February. BTW I love the Fodor's group so if there is ever an LA GTG I would love to attend. My email is [email protected]

We went to a meeting of an African group before we went to Africa and it was great.

Hi ladyrep, I have been traveling (to less exotic locales) and just came across this. Would LOVE to have an LA GTG. Let's set something up before your trip and I'll bore you with my zillions of photos.

Keep me posted! I'm in NorCal but eager to head south for a fun gtg! Remember "Anokhi Nirvana" Crosscheck? Ahhh....shopping in india!!

crosscheck: A GTG would be great. Two of our four women are traveling now and I am leaving in mid August. One of the others is going to Europe in late October so anytime either before of after that.

Just noticed this - sorry for the delay. Let's aim for sometime between ladyrep's return and the others' departure. Would love to have you join the fun, CaliNurse. Just used my Anokhi napkins last night. Why didn't I buy more?

LOL, Crosscheck!! Anokhi!! Fabindia. And my personal fave--Soma in Jaipur and New Delhi! Gorgeous block prints on clothes and housewares.

I'll be outta Calif between Sept 22 and October 9. If that doesn't conflict with gtg plans, keep me posted!!!! Thank you!

Oh crosscheck thank you so much for this fabulous detailed thread which I have loved !

Going to Indian (Golden triangle on a tour) March 2017.

I can hardly wait.

Thanks so much Sarah -- Lucky you! I'm hoping to get back to India next year as well.

One more thing !
Every time I'm in a plane and I hear "arm doors and cross check" I think of you !

Haha. In the US they say "prepare for departure and cross-check," or "prepare for arrival and cross-check." I guess they don't want to alarm people by announcing that they're arming the doors, whatever that is.

It's been my handle here for so long that I now feel as if I should get some sort of royalty whenever they say it

Warm greetings again, crosscheck, from brief business stop in London -- and I also think of your delightful handle during various airline flight announcements. (Including this current business trip, from Singapore to London via the Middle East and soon Toronto, SFO, Seoul, and back home to SIN.)

Keep up the brilliant writing, crosscheck; it's been a pleasure to reread your trip report. As always, any lodging, dining, aviation suggestions concerning our lovely home of Singapore, honoured to assist. Best to you from London,

robert


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Fabulous trip report, and wish I'd found it sooner!

Monsoon - you may have been lucky. Years ago we went to South India in August, and had to miss Mumbai because of floods. But maybe going one month later than us makes a big difference.

Mumbai airport - "we expected to get accosted by the supporting cast of Slumdog." lol!!

Agree whole-heartedly that calling Udaipur the Venice of the East is silly. But we did see many pigeons!

Ambrai - Oh yes, what a view!

So glad your Varanasi miracle came through for you. And Mr C played the sitar? Wow, those are really hard to play!

And finally, you've convinced me that we do have to see the Taj Mahal. We have never gone, but that will change. Thank you!

Thanks so much for the kind words. Means a lot coming from you - I'm in awe of your trip, your writing, your style of travel and especially your photos. I feel guilty that you read the whole report when I haven't finished yours, but I look forward to more this weekend - the photos are my guilty pleasure until we get back to India.

Yes, Mr. C is a fairly decent sitar player...He even owns one. I think he might have lived in India in another life.

We were lucky to be at the Taj Mahal without the crowds. I'm sure I would have had a different impression if there had been a two hour wait to get in.

Now off to check out more of your report!