I remember as we were in the air I grabbed the hubbies hand and said “We are going to be Ok ye?” He looked at me, “I really don’t know.”
Not the answer I was looking for.
Its our first time going to India. We don’t usually go for this type of holiday. Our holidays are usually resorts, pools, beaches, all inclusive, kids club kind of thing. But this time I was done. I’m fed up of those type of Holiday’s. The boys are getting older, there’ s only so much they can do in the pool, the kids entertainment do nothing for them, and I want to see a little more of the world.
So we chose to start our world tour with….. India.
I knew it was either going to be the best trip of my life, or our next trip would be back to Turkey or Egypt, and I was praying for the former…. Desperately praying because I was s*** scared.
India has alot of negative connotations attached to it, I dont think that I have ever heard so many negative stories in all my life. To a point were as the time got nearer to flying I had anxiety-like I had never felt before. And my boys knowing India was my idea, was giving me evil eyes and mardy faces up until we got there.
I was told of the dirt, the filth, the smell, the cows, the snakes, food poisoning aka Delhi Belly, the non- existent roads, the mad traffic, the thieving, the looting, the kidnapping, the over friendly taxi driver you should never trust, the politics and issues between the Hindus and Muslims… I think we were exhausted with all the stories and so terrified. What had we done?!
Since it was our first time, we wanted to make sure it was done right, knowing my boys are use to the ‘All inclusive Perfect Resort Holiday’, we didn’t want to go straight into the madness of Mumbai. So we planned our trip so that we got 4 days in Goa (Peaceful and Touristy), 2 days in Mumbai (Bring on the Madness), and last 24 hours in Dubai (cant go on a holiday without the glamour)….. And it was just the perfect package.
Now to get through the flight.
We planned it in such a way that the longest travel haul had to be on the way going, so from Luton Airport our first flight was to Dubai (roughly 7 and a half hours). From Dubai we flew to Mumbai (roughly 3 hours) and then from here we flew our last flight to Goa (1 and a half hours). With the travelling starting from home, the flights, the wait in transit, we were looking at a whole 22 hours before we got to the comfort of our hotel room in Goa.
Our first flights was on Emirates landing at Dubai Airport. We had a wait of 3 hours before our next flight….. I mean when you land at Dubai airport- it can only mean one thing….
Yup. Maccie D’s because its Halal!. How much we struggle back at home, driving/walking past the McDonalds knowing we can”t eat it. We have decided we will ALWAYS fly from Emirates just to get a taste of McDonalds. I mean just saying ‘Double Mac Please’ at the cashier point is exhilarating, we do not get a chance to use that type of language. (I don’t even like the Double Mac…. I just say it…. because I can….. and then change my mind, and go for McArabian instead)
Our next flight was from Dubai to Mumbai, once again in Emirates, and I was so excited to see this on the menu!! Yes people, it was finally hitting us, WE ARE GOING INDIA.
Our longest wait in transit was in Mumbai airport, being extremely exhausted by now, (do keep in mind we have now been awake for over 18 hours) and it being the last haul, we needed a re-coop. I wanted to use my American Express (Amex) card to get access to the airport lounges ( with Amex you get 2 free lounge passes in the year for 2 people. Additional guests can be added at £10 a head) but unfortunately the Mumbai Amex lounge was under maintenance (Just my luck!!)
We asked for a lounge as we desperately needed sleep and really didn’t want to loiter around the airport, and were told we could use the GVK lounge at £40 per person. Yes a lot dearer then if Amex was available, but with our exhaustion it really seemed worth it, and for an additional £20 we would also get the business class seats on the flight. So we started off our holiday just right! Business class.
The GVK lounge was definitely the right decision, we didn’t feel like spare wheels waiting for our planes, the lounge was cosy and comfortable and food was available throughout. We got space to relax and catch up with a few winks of sleep.
Excited with Business class we took our seats and put our feet up. On entrance we were given orange juice. I decided that I would sleep as soon as I get in, before the plane even starts, so that I can re coop on my sleep and then when the food comes, take loads of pics, and make memories…..
…. 10 minutes left to landing we were woken up by the air hostess. I was bewildered. My first business class flight and I slept through the whole thing (I must add like a baby! Best sleep ever!) I looked at the hubby and boys, and they all looked back at me with blank eyes. Yes I’ll say it….
We all slept through it.
And then we were in GOA
Keep tuned for my next blog on our trip to Goa.
Love and Regards
M11bna
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