On Valentine's Day, 1991 we were on our way to Delhi with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The start was not too good, there was a defect on the plane so we had to grab all our belongings and board another plane. We arrived on Friday morning the 15th in Delhi, with 3 hours delay. A person from Pond's India picked us up and we went smooth through customs and everything.
Then we got dropped off at the luxurious Taj Palace Hotel for a welcome shower after 2 nights on the plane, coming from Atlanta to Amsterdam and on to Delhi, India.
We relaxed and by 14:00 they picked us up for some sight seeing.
Now I too, got to see the famous 2nd tallest minaret in the world, the 72 m high Qutb Minar from 1206.
Also the Iron Pillar of Delhi, standing within the Qutb Complex in south Delhi. It never rusts and it brings you good luck if you can put your arms around it, backwards! NO LUCK...
Taken from ThamesTv as it seems now to be sheltered by a fence!
So both of us, husband Pieter and I, belong to the people that still were allowed to touch it and try to hug it backwards.
We also visited the Lotus Temple in New Delhi one of the world's greatest attractions click for short video.
It is like walking through a botanical garden in order to get to the steps that lead up to the Lotus Temple, built in white marble.
Quite impressive, also from the inside!
The design resembles very much the style of the Sydney Opera House.
Marvel of architecture by Iranian born Fariborz Sahba, a Canadian citizen now.
We enjoyed our sightseeing trip of several hours and via the Rashtrapathi Bhavan (where the President resides), Secretariat building, Parliament, Connaught Place, and India Gate, we got again dropped off at the Taj Palace Hotel.
A short time for relaxing and then to the airport for our flight to Madras, now Chennai.
Around 23:00 we got greeted by someone from Pond's India and brought to our Trident hotel.
We finally went to bed - tired...
On February 16, we have to be at the airport again by 13:00 for our flight to Coimbatore, via Bangalore.
Security only wants to know what those dark spots in Pieter's briefcase were. They were the batteries of our flash lights (like the police used) and for the camera.
In Coimbatore there is a person from the Mushroom project and at 17:00 we start our ride op into the Nilgiri Mountains to Ooty at 2,100 m altitude.
The old Ambassador (early Austin-Morris) needs some 2.5 hours for this climb, with once adding water and we drank coconut milk.
We got dropped off at the Southern Star, a Quality Inn hotel in Ooty.
The mushroom project's manager, Mr. Balu, was there to great us, en route to his Rotary meeting.
All we wanted is going to bed... I'd developed a bronchitis and thus sleeping was not the best with my constant coughing.
On Sunday, we slept in till about 11:00, both were feeling tired, also due to the 10.5 hours time difference.
We ordered some food for our room, also fresh mango with tea and it helped me feel somewhat better.
We read in the sunshine that entered our room and we got ourselves an ice cream.
Pieter did walk around, to explore the surroundings of our hotel that is high against the hills.
The weather was gorgeous and beautiful mountain landscape with a lot of flowers, flowering broom, cannas and unknown wild flowers.
Photo taken from Pieter, outside our hotel.
Most of you don't know, but this was only 310 km or 193 miles away from Madurai, where the Google CEO, Sundar Pichai was born less than 19 years ago at that time...
He studied in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu State, where we just came from.
And one from me with my long braid on one side...
Sleeping was difficult due to my coughing and that made it past 3:00 till we finally drifted off for a couple of hours...
Stay tuned for more when we started our actual Consulting Work.
Thanks for your visit and comment!
Related posts:Also the Iron Pillar of Delhi, standing within the Qutb Complex in south Delhi. It never rusts and it brings you good luck if you can put your arms around it, backwards! NO LUCK...
Taken from ThamesTv as it seems now to be sheltered by a fence!
So both of us, husband Pieter and I, belong to the people that still were allowed to touch it and try to hug it backwards.
We also visited the Lotus Temple in New Delhi one of the world's greatest attractions click for short video.
The design resembles very much the style of the Sydney Opera House.
Marvel of architecture by Iranian born Fariborz Sahba, a Canadian citizen now.
We enjoyed our sightseeing trip of several hours and via the Rashtrapathi Bhavan (where the President resides), Secretariat building, Parliament, Connaught Place, and India Gate, we got again dropped off at the Taj Palace Hotel.
A short time for relaxing and then to the airport for our flight to Madras, now Chennai.
Around 23:00 we got greeted by someone from Pond's India and brought to our Trident hotel.
We finally went to bed - tired...
On February 16, we have to be at the airport again by 13:00 for our flight to Coimbatore, via Bangalore.
Security only wants to know what those dark spots in Pieter's briefcase were. They were the batteries of our flash lights (like the police used) and for the camera.
In Coimbatore there is a person from the Mushroom project and at 17:00 we start our ride op into the Nilgiri Mountains to Ooty at 2,100 m altitude.
The old Ambassador (early Austin-Morris) needs some 2.5 hours for this climb, with once adding water and we drank coconut milk.
We got dropped off at the Southern Star, a Quality Inn hotel in Ooty.
The mushroom project's manager, Mr. Balu, was there to great us, en route to his Rotary meeting.
All we wanted is going to bed... I'd developed a bronchitis and thus sleeping was not the best with my constant coughing.
On Sunday, we slept in till about 11:00, both were feeling tired, also due to the 10.5 hours time difference.
We ordered some food for our room, also fresh mango with tea and it helped me feel somewhat better.
We read in the sunshine that entered our room and we got ourselves an ice cream.
Most of you don't know, but this was only 310 km or 193 miles away from Madurai, where the Google CEO, Sundar Pichai was born less than 19 years ago at that time...
He studied in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu State, where we just came from.
Lovely surroundings of our hotel in Ooty, nestled in the Nilgiri Mountains!
We ate in our room and when Dr. Ram called if we needed anything, we again opted for staying in and going to bed early.Sleeping was difficult due to my coughing and that made it past 3:00 till we finally drifted off for a couple of hours...
Stay tuned for more when we started our actual Consulting Work.
Thanks for your visit and comment!
Brindavan Gardens Mysore with Luxury Heritage Hotel | previous post by me
Lalitha Mahal and Maharaja Palace Mysore | previous post by me
Chamundeshwari Temple and Chamundi Hills in Mysuru India | previous post by me
Trip from Ooty to Mysuru through Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary | previous post by me
Wearing a Saree for ONE Day and Lending my Jeans | previous post by me
Pond's (India) Limited Mushroom Project | previous post by me
My 1st Trip to India - Consulting Together with Husband Pieter | previous post by me
Husband Pieter's ADVENTUROUS 2nd Trip to India | previous post by me showing the Qutb Minar
Chamundeshwari Temple and Chamundi Hills in Mysuru India | previous post by me
Trip from Ooty to Mysuru through Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary | previous post by me
Wearing a Saree for ONE Day and Lending my Jeans | previous post by me
Pond's (India) Limited Mushroom Project | previous post by me
My 1st Trip to India - Consulting Together with Husband Pieter | previous post by me
Husband Pieter's ADVENTUROUS 2nd Trip to India | previous post by me showing the Qutb Minar
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeletethank you for wonderful mmories of your 2nd Trip to India!
Wishing you a wonderful week,
sending Love and hugs, Claudia xo
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteYes, for both of us very fond memories!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette; Oh,put your arms around minaret backwards looked hard and takes tall person with long arms to reach:-) Thank you SO much for beautiful mountain side scenery in India from your second trip. Your picture of your long braid on one side is lovely♪
ReplyDeleteOh, I love singing but just sing along the old songs with singers from you-tube ♫♫♫
Please Take Care of yourself, it is getting really cold here.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteGuess one has to be very, very tall for having that length arms to touch your hands when hugging the pillar backwards!
We both love the mountains and nature far more than any beach area.
This morning the lawn was white from frost, it is crisp and cold here!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, You and Pieter were lucky to visit so many amazing places professionally. That is something to think about for young people--choosing a specialty that will get them out in the world and not just sitting in a stuffy office (although I know that you and Pieter worked very hard, also)!
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYes, we both have always felt very fortunate for being at places where ordinary tourists seldom end up. We always had a staff member from the company we worked for as a great guide and that was a great privilege.
Both of us are not office people, we want to connect with people, seeing how the actual work gets done and teach and train on the spot. That can never be done from behind a desk only.
Did you realize Jim that the present CEO from Google is born only 193 miles southeast of where we are standing there in the photo? He also studied in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, where we just came from. Small world!
Hugs,
Mariette
We stayed in New Delhi when we visited India (Agra and Jaipur). Really loved our time there. My husband lived in India/Pakistan in the mid 70's and speaks fluent Urdu as a result. Luckily he gets to practice it often here so it stays with him unlike the 7 years of French he took in school. No fun being sick when you are traveling. India has such a diverse landscape. Hoping to visit a friend in Bangalore one of these days. Have a good Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteYou're lucky for having been to Jaipur, we only went to Agra. That is the downside of working as a consultant, only very limited sight seeing.
Your husband belongs to the rare breed of people speaking several languages. Indeed, keeping it alive you must be able to speak it frequently enough.
Oh, I've been so very sick that trip but I've survived my 2-weeks of work, you read more in the next chapter.
You no doubt would enjoy visiting Bangalore and hope you will!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello dear Mariette!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures from your trip to India!
Lovely scenery and impressive surroundings!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories!
Have a lovely day and a happy week ahead! Hugs!
Dimi...
Dearest Dimi,
DeleteThank you, those pictures bring back very fond memories for both of us.
Ooty as a hill station in Tamil Nadu State is a beautiful area!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette! Oh, how wonderful places you are to travel! Have a nice evening
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes, we both have been fortunate to see lots of the world and above all, for interacting with people.
Hugs,
Mariette
Long trip and time difference can be really tough for your body. I hope your coughing went away soon. The Lotus Temple is beautiful and elegant. It did remind me of Opera House, too. Oh that looks impossible to put arms around the Iron Pillar but what a fun to try :-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Tamago,
DeleteGetting from A to B was never easy for this kind of jobs but we enjoyed it nevertheless.
No, the coughing did not go away soon, you will read more in the next chapter.
That Lotus Temple was quite an experience and indeed very elegant!
A tall basketball player who is over 7 ft tall will manage to hug it, not us...
Hugs,
Mariette
Mariette, you are a true globetrotter! Lovely that you could accompany Pieter on his work trip. India is an enormous country, with so much to see.
ReplyDeleteThe food was a delicious discovery when I moved to Manhattan. The first year here, I ate it quite frequency, and it was cheap at the time. Nowadays it is as expensive as other cuisines. I fondly remember the days of eating a full meal (with extras: bread, drink and a sweat) for $10. And the meal was spicy, but not set-your-month-on-fire hot.
I hope life continues to improve for the lovely people of India. More of them have joined the middle class since your visits. May it be the direction of their future.
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Hugs to you,
Debbie
Dearest Debbie,
DeleteGlobetrotter yes, but it was BOTH of us that went there for work!
Wish we had had the time for exploring more of that enormous vast country. There is so much to see and to admire in its architecture etc.
The food for both of us was heaven and in the Tamil Nadu State it is really very spicy and hot, what we love!
Yeah, about joining the middle class ranks, one person born in Tamil Nadu is now the CEO of Google (look under photo with Pieter as I've added this info) and thus a billionaire and an American Citizen.
Hugs,
Mariette
Wow, you have had such an interesting life.! I have never even seen a picture of this Lotus Temple. How unusual.....Looking forward to the rest of your travel journal.....Have a nice weekend,,,,Janey
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteInteresting for sure, not always easy but we enjoyed what we did and tried to recover from the long journey as best as we could! We were younger of course; makes all the difference.
Strange that you never have heard or seen anything about this magnificent Lotus Temple as it got opened in December of 1986.
Hugs,
Mariette
Lotus flower is religious flower in japan as well, but very interesting to see the Lotus Temple!
ReplyDeleteYou and Pieter traveled so many places in the world! Amazing!!
Take care,Mariette.
Have a lovely weekend.
Dearest Tomoko,
DeleteYes we do know about the special meanings of the lotus flower.
This Lotus Temple is indeed one of the world's greatest attractions and so glad we got to see it before it even existed five years.
Such trips make for lifelong memories... This is still part of my chronicling our life for Pieter to reflect on our best years.
Hugs,
Mariette
Olá, tudo bem?
ReplyDeleteamei sua viagem a Índia e as belas histórias. Um dia quero conhecer essas maravilhas. As pessoas pensam que eu sou indiana por causa da cor da pele e o cabelo. Meu pai é alemão e minha mãe filha de italiano e negros africanos. é uma mistura. hahaha
Beijos, quero desejar um feliz natal e um novo ano cheio de alegrias e novas viagens.
Querida Anajá,
DeleteBem, sem dúvida, todos são uma espécie de mistura de todos os tipos de corridas e é interessante. Para nós, estas são boas lembranças, e eu estou narrando nossas viagens por Pieter de reviver nosso melhor anos juntos. Lembre-se, isto foi puramente pelo vai funcionar. Não como uma turista... Já não podemos fazer essa longa viagem devido a condição do coração do Pieter. Mas nós apreciamos o que conseguimos fazer!
Feliz Natal e feliz ano novo para você ambos também.
Abraços,
Mariette
An amazing experience, an amazing life. I think it`s a very interesting proyect.
ReplyDeleteSending the best wishes for Xmas,
María
Dearest María,
DeleteThank you and yes to us this was quite an amazing experience that we treasure for the rest of our life!
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh dear! you are a very kind person. I always read your blog. I love all your mushroom around the world. Love and hugs! XOXO
ReplyDeleteDearest Krishna,
DeleteThank you very much for your kind comment. We both LOVE India, its people and above all its food!
Trying hard to chronicle our consulting and other travel trips together so husband Pieter can relive them.
Hugs,
Mariette
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kinds words on my posts 2018. By reading your comments on my posts of the trip to the north Japan, I was able to visit there again with refreshed memories.
Dearest RTC.,
DeleteFond memories are always a joy and if we are able to somehow share them with one another, it is double pleasure! Just felt proud for recognizing the place when I read your post about Matsushima!
Sending you hugs and wishing you a Merry Christmas with Peace!
Mariette