Monday 31st October
Away by 8:40. The traffic on the way was jammed solid so our driver took to the Delhi back steets, went past the Commonwealth Games Arena. Arrived just after 10 am. Flight ok. 90 minutes to Kathmandu and then 90 minutes to get a visa 25 US Dollars. Compared to Delhi the security was very minimal. Now 5 hours 45 minutes in front of GMT. They changed from BST yesterday.
Met by the local rep of Trailfinders, who took me through the week's tour while the taxi drove us to Hotel Himalaya. Minimal admin and so to the room. 4 star quality hotel very good. Desperate for some grub so exploded my luggage over my room, went to a local ATM, had a shower, got some maps, then off in a taxi to a restaurant "Rumdoodles" (see web site for more details). The only problem was the taxi driver did not know where it was so we got advice from reception. It was 6 pm by now, dark and very busy traffic. Of course the driver charged me 100 rupees more then my guide said, but less than £4 for a 30 minutes ride is good. Loads of shops round Rumdoodles it would take me a day to list all the items on offer. Everyone is very friendly. During negotiations for purchases they are keen to tap you on the hand. However they do not get ratty when you walk away. The meal in Rumdoodles was good and served extremely quickly. About 50 Brits walked in as 1 left. The whole interior is plastered with large foot cutouts with names of tours that have gone trekking up to Everest - logos and the names are printed on each foot before it is nailed to the ceiling. Much to the taxi driver's annoyance I did not want to be tied down by his waiting for me. So how to get back to the hotel in a foreign country where there appeared to be not many taxis. I had a rough idea of which way the hotel was but it was too far to walk. I did buy a map however which turned out to be critical when the cycle rickshaw driver took me to a same named hotel 300 yards away. He first asked for 10 US dollars. We settled on 300 rupees a good earner for him. But I knew how far it was. He did struggle down some very dark cobbled streets. As the hotel was up an incline when I realised where we were, I paid him 400 rupees, he tried to look disappointed. Bought some more water and very glad to be back at the hotel by about 8:30. Now to sort out the stuff I do not need, to be put into a case to be left at the hotel till Saturday. Bought wi-fi, expensive at 870 rupees, but this enabled me to call Lesley for next to nothing on Skype and upload this blog. Had a soak in the lime green dettol smelling water and so to bed by midnight. To be picked up at 9 am in a 4 x4.
Monday, 31 October 2011
Sunday 30th Race Day
As we only have one car pass to the circuit three trips are required to get us into the track. This became problematic later when the traffic after the race was jammed solid. I was in the first car with 8 in ( 10 was the record set on Friday). This in a normal people carrier. Just getting in tune with the locals - they regularly have driver, wife plus 2 kids on a motor bike.
Into the track ok. Alan plus others tried to use the shuttle bus to get to the F1 Village, they quickly gave up as even by Indian standards the bus was full. Bob and I stopped close by our seats catching a glimpse of the drivers as they went on a parade lap. Very few of them seemed to connect with the crowd by giving us a wave. Alonso looked most unhappy, however Schumaker gave everyone a happy wave.
And so to the race, without knowing the team colours and red/yellow tag system it would have been impossible to track each driver. Vetel in the lead all the time , Button doing his best but not getting closer than 3 seconds. He is a very smooth driver, whereas Hamilton is very aggressive. Massive exit at the end by all the crowd, the first car was back to KR in just over an hour. I tidied and packed my cases ready for the trip to Nepal tomorrow. By about 8 everyone was back. Andrew plus others went down to the health spa. No mention of food even though most of us had not eaten since our hearty breakfast. I went down and joined Andrew, Alan, John and Mel in the jacussi for a beer of course. Some time later Sunhil arranged for a few snacks from a local restaurant and we had that plus left overs from the party. More booze more talk and so to bed. Far too late for our 7 am alarm call to be away to the airport by 8:30.
Into the track ok. Alan plus others tried to use the shuttle bus to get to the F1 Village, they quickly gave up as even by Indian standards the bus was full. Bob and I stopped close by our seats catching a glimpse of the drivers as they went on a parade lap. Very few of them seemed to connect with the crowd by giving us a wave. Alonso looked most unhappy, however Schumaker gave everyone a happy wave.
And so to the race, without knowing the team colours and red/yellow tag system it would have been impossible to track each driver. Vetel in the lead all the time , Button doing his best but not getting closer than 3 seconds. He is a very smooth driver, whereas Hamilton is very aggressive. Massive exit at the end by all the crowd, the first car was back to KR in just over an hour. I tidied and packed my cases ready for the trip to Nepal tomorrow. By about 8 everyone was back. Andrew plus others went down to the health spa. No mention of food even though most of us had not eaten since our hearty breakfast. I went down and joined Andrew, Alan, John and Mel in the jacussi for a beer of course. Some time later Sunhil arranged for a few snacks from a local restaurant and we had that plus left overs from the party. More booze more talk and so to bed. Far too late for our 7 am alarm call to be away to the airport by 8:30.
Saturday 29th October
Saturday 29th Oct
Up and out within 5 minutes. Gulped down a bowl of fresh yoghurt, set me up for the day. Off in the first car to the Buddh Circuit arrive about 10 am. Creamed up, sprayed up, got food, 7 drinks tokens and settled down for the final practice. I stopped until the qualifying which finished at 3 pm then back knackered to KR. Much frantic activity getting ready for the 40 or so guests. We were even given keys to the wardrobes so the rooms looked tidier. A few of us had a swim in the cold ground floor pool. When Steve was going back upstairs there was a series of short power cuts trapping him in the lift. Felt much refreshed after a shower & power nap.
About 7 or so the guests started arriving. Earlier in the week Andrew went to a local restaurant and asked them to provide food and the staff to serve, they duly arrived and the kitchen was full of people scurrying around under Andrew's ever changing directions. As his friends we had been asked to help but Gupta and Sunil, two of Andrew's Indian aides de camp, were most put out if we tried. As ever over here the drinks last an hour, the starters even longer and the main course with you about 11 pm. I spoke to the guy who designed the 17 storey block of apartments, which is built in 3 wings.
It took years he said to "convince" the local authorities to allow him and his 3 partners to construct such a high block. Andrew's Indian advisors were also there.
And so to bed before the big race day tomorrow.
Up and out within 5 minutes. Gulped down a bowl of fresh yoghurt, set me up for the day. Off in the first car to the Buddh Circuit arrive about 10 am. Creamed up, sprayed up, got food, 7 drinks tokens and settled down for the final practice. I stopped until the qualifying which finished at 3 pm then back knackered to KR. Much frantic activity getting ready for the 40 or so guests. We were even given keys to the wardrobes so the rooms looked tidier. A few of us had a swim in the cold ground floor pool. When Steve was going back upstairs there was a series of short power cuts trapping him in the lift. Felt much refreshed after a shower & power nap.
About 7 or so the guests started arriving. Earlier in the week Andrew went to a local restaurant and asked them to provide food and the staff to serve, they duly arrived and the kitchen was full of people scurrying around under Andrew's ever changing directions. As his friends we had been asked to help but Gupta and Sunil, two of Andrew's Indian aides de camp, were most put out if we tried. As ever over here the drinks last an hour, the starters even longer and the main course with you about 11 pm. I spoke to the guy who designed the 17 storey block of apartments, which is built in 3 wings.
It took years he said to "convince" the local authorities to allow him and his 3 partners to construct such a high block. Andrew's Indian advisors were also there.
And so to bed before the big race day tomorrow.
Friday 28th Oct
Up at 6:30 and out by taxi by 7:10 to go to the hospital in Delhi. Five plus myself in all. Alan, Irina, Kate, Vid and Gill. The guys got through the gruelling medical test by about 1 pm. Total cost of the 7 checkups about £75. It would have cost 10 times as much in the UK.
We made the dash to the F1 track to see the last 40 minutes or so of the day's practice. Heavy security. No food or water allowed to be taken in. The litre bottles of water on sale inside cost 20 pence, so no ripoff there. Our grandstand seats are perfect, at the end of the fastest straight without obstruction by the fencing because of the height. Got some great photos.
Back to base & then out to a party at the Singhs' house, they run the taxi company Andrew has used since landing in Delhi. The twelve of us were greeted like long lost members of the family, I had met them all in 2005 on my last trip. Nibbles in the sitting room, then to the bar & cinema room in the basement, before being ferried off to the restaurant for endless starters then main course. The whole night was like a wedding celebration even to the point of group photos at the end. A remarkable evening. And so back & bed by about 1 am.
We made the dash to the F1 track to see the last 40 minutes or so of the day's practice. Heavy security. No food or water allowed to be taken in. The litre bottles of water on sale inside cost 20 pence, so no ripoff there. Our grandstand seats are perfect, at the end of the fastest straight without obstruction by the fencing because of the height. Got some great photos.
Back to base & then out to a party at the Singhs' house, they run the taxi company Andrew has used since landing in Delhi. The twelve of us were greeted like long lost members of the family, I had met them all in 2005 on my last trip. Nibbles in the sitting room, then to the bar & cinema room in the basement, before being ferried off to the restaurant for endless starters then main course. The whole night was like a wedding celebration even to the point of group photos at the end. A remarkable evening. And so back & bed by about 1 am.
Thursday 27th Oct
Up about 8 ish. Expecting to leave by taxi to Delhi about 9:30. Banana and snacks for breakfast. Steve & I tried cycling to the local that Andrew & I went to yesterday. The bike had a flat that turned out to be a leaking valve.
Alan Irena and I left for Delhi about 10:15 to meet Kapil at CP. I popped into a shop to buy some long trousers, as visit to the mosque with shorts on would be in doubt. We travelled by metro to see Father Ravi who runs a shelter for street children. He is an absolute saint putting all his time into helping the children and some adults. Seeing these very unfortunate children face to face rather than on the television is a very unnerving experience.
From there we went back on the metro which at times is very crowded to Chandni Chowk, to the market shops area, then on to the mosque. We all had an escorted trip up to the top of the minaret tower in the mosque and saw great views over New and Old Delhi. The two cycle rickshaw rides there and back under the maze of cables, over very uneven roads, and past every sort of trader from hot food street seller to a gold buyer.
We were certainly very glad to get back to CP about 4 pm for a late snack then a walk to the Imperial Hotel to meet with the others. But first to find a cash point. You cannot get Roupees in England before you travel and when you get here you can only get £130 a day. I would like to understand what the reason is for this policy.
A quick drink at the Imperial which is sheer opulence after the sore sights of earlier in the day, then back to base at Noida by about 8 pm. Some of us are up early to get to the hospital for medical screening by 8 am. So no food only water till after the tests.
Wednesday 26th Oct
Wednesday Devali 26th
Woke at 9 am. Alan and I put the two bikes from the UK together, so that should have made 4 in total. Only the Brit bikes work, both of Andrew's local bikes are broken - stripped threads. All the locals are staring at our bikes as Andrew and I pedal to the local ATM about 2 miles away. Lots of sights, like their waste management, are best not described. At a
local restaurant had a great snack, I however did not eat the partly cooked fried egg. Andrew choffed it down in the blink of an eye. It is so amusing to see Andrew ordering food with the locals, who are very helpful but hardly understand him. Then to the furniture shop- Andrew was going to buy 2 rough old tables for £23 each, the trader said they were new. I burn stuff like that. We eventually settled on some new plastic chairs and a table for the roof terrace. Then back to KR. About 14:00 the rest went off to the local golf club leaving me to baby sit KR and sort out and pay the delivery guys. Very taxing when you cannot speak or understand their lingo. The golf club they went to this afternoon must after been a grand place as Michael Schumacher was there.
A Devali night, fireworks all around KR. Then about 10 pm we all took it in turns to light a firework. The finale being a 2 metre jumping jack. This was not mentioned on the risk assessment. Old Delhi tomorrow. The adventure continues.
Woke at 9 am. Alan and I put the two bikes from the UK together, so that should have made 4 in total. Only the Brit bikes work, both of Andrew's local bikes are broken - stripped threads. All the locals are staring at our bikes as Andrew and I pedal to the local ATM about 2 miles away. Lots of sights, like their waste management, are best not described. At a
local restaurant had a great snack, I however did not eat the partly cooked fried egg. Andrew choffed it down in the blink of an eye. It is so amusing to see Andrew ordering food with the locals, who are very helpful but hardly understand him. Then to the furniture shop- Andrew was going to buy 2 rough old tables for £23 each, the trader said they were new. I burn stuff like that. We eventually settled on some new plastic chairs and a table for the roof terrace. Then back to KR. About 14:00 the rest went off to the local golf club leaving me to baby sit KR and sort out and pay the delivery guys. Very taxing when you cannot speak or understand their lingo. The golf club they went to this afternoon must after been a grand place as Michael Schumacher was there.
A Devali night, fireworks all around KR. Then about 10 pm we all took it in turns to light a firework. The finale being a 2 metre jumping jack. This was not mentioned on the risk assessment. Old Delhi tomorrow. The adventure continues.
Tuesday 25 th Oct
Arrived Delhi. An uneventful flight with Kingfisher Air lines, the only recommendation would be on price,-a bit of an old Airbus xxx. The guy next to me had to be kicked out into the middle rather than the aisle seat he wanted. I sat in the middle seat later when he took 20 minutes to use the loo. A bit of a performance collecting the bikes and getting the taxi. Unfortunatley Steve Bridges fell down a drain and cut his leg badly. Bob G took him to the Drs to be seen to at a total cost of one pound 20 pence.
The taxis into central New Delhi Connaught Square took 20 minutes and a lot of weaving between the traffic to find an ATM. Limit of about £130 a day at any ATM in India. Then off to the bar where the Force India F1 Team had been in recently. With taxes over £4 a bottle. A ripoff. Correction every transaction is a potential ripoff. Even the clerk in the Post Office was on the fiddle. Good news really; one, I am lucky enough to have the cash that they want and two,I recognised he was trying it on. It's all done with a smile. The curry we had at the Coffee House was great, a large selection of about 5 curries. We chose one which was very tasty, washed down with a few more beers.
Now time to get the stock of beer and water to take to the apartment in Greater Noida. Almost every shop sells just one sort of product. The liquor store sold the booze and the shop next door the water plus some curry brew that was in a cauldron in the corner. Still the water was in sealed bottles at 20p per litre. Haggling was met with little joy.
Then for the massive 75 minutes drive to Greater Noida, but for the large case of beer jammed at my feet it would have been a good time for a rest. Everyone else in the other 2 taxis later told me they had nodded off. We arrived in Noida and just kept going and going. At one stage I saw a sign 50 km to the F1 circuit. Greater Noida was still quite a way. Then King's Reserve rose out of the mist. We were on the 13th floor. The apartment is a 1/3rd of the top three floors. We ordered a take away indian (curry), 2 hours and a lot of hungry people later we dug in. Too much of course, allegedly we will eat it later in the week. Now what film do you watch for 12, in the cinema (Alan and Irina's room), yes Guns of Naverone. I was the second one to flag just as the guy slid down the cliff, no-one had the stamina to see the end. What a surprise. Then to bed.
The taxis into central New Delhi Connaught Square took 20 minutes and a lot of weaving between the traffic to find an ATM. Limit of about £130 a day at any ATM in India. Then off to the bar where the Force India F1 Team had been in recently. With taxes over £4 a bottle. A ripoff. Correction every transaction is a potential ripoff. Even the clerk in the Post Office was on the fiddle. Good news really; one, I am lucky enough to have the cash that they want and two,I recognised he was trying it on. It's all done with a smile. The curry we had at the Coffee House was great, a large selection of about 5 curries. We chose one which was very tasty, washed down with a few more beers.
Now time to get the stock of beer and water to take to the apartment in Greater Noida. Almost every shop sells just one sort of product. The liquor store sold the booze and the shop next door the water plus some curry brew that was in a cauldron in the corner. Still the water was in sealed bottles at 20p per litre. Haggling was met with little joy.
Then for the massive 75 minutes drive to Greater Noida, but for the large case of beer jammed at my feet it would have been a good time for a rest. Everyone else in the other 2 taxis later told me they had nodded off. We arrived in Noida and just kept going and going. At one stage I saw a sign 50 km to the F1 circuit. Greater Noida was still quite a way. Then King's Reserve rose out of the mist. We were on the 13th floor. The apartment is a 1/3rd of the top three floors. We ordered a take away indian (curry), 2 hours and a lot of hungry people later we dug in. Too much of course, allegedly we will eat it later in the week. Now what film do you watch for 12, in the cinema (Alan and Irina's room), yes Guns of Naverone. I was the second one to flag just as the guy slid down the cliff, no-one had the stamina to see the end. What a surprise. Then to bed.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Monday 24th
Got to heathrow finished building the box for the bike in the car park.
Amazing but I did not get stopped at security. Hand luggage is over sized but what the hell.
Now there are now 10 of us at the bar. What else do you expect.
Just off to get the drinks (whisky) for the week.
Love to all readers. I could not do this without
You.
Amazing but I did not get stopped at security. Hand luggage is over sized but what the hell.
Now there are now 10 of us at the bar. What else do you expect.
Just off to get the drinks (whisky) for the week.
Love to all readers. I could not do this without
You.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Sunday 23rd Oct 2011
It's only 35 years to the day since Lesley & I got married. Tim Emma Matt Lesley & I went to the Bell to celebrate. A very pleasant lunch.
With Dunners help I managed to prise the bike in box into his car ready for the trip to Heathrow tomorrow.
Now the packing is to finish or should I say start.
I will see how I go with this blog without a web connection in Delhi and Nepal. If it will be a none starter then I will resort to paper.
With so many of us first going to Delhi then just myself to Napal it is going to be a fortnight of contrasts.
With Dunners help I managed to prise the bike in box into his car ready for the trip to Heathrow tomorrow.
Now the packing is to finish or should I say start.
I will see how I go with this blog without a web connection in Delhi and Nepal. If it will be a none starter then I will resort to paper.
With so many of us first going to Delhi then just myself to Napal it is going to be a fortnight of contrasts.
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