06 October - Mathura / Vrindavan

After an early breakfast today my driver and I were off to drive to Agra, India. Along the way we stopped in Mathura / Vindavan.The site of Mathura was inhabited before the 1st century when the city flourished under the Kushan dynasty. In the 2nd century the city was a stronghold of Buddhists and Jains. In 1017–18 Maḥmūd of Ghazna pillaged Mathura, and between 1500 and 1757 it was sacked four times. The city fell under British rule in 1804.

Mathura is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. It is the traditional birthplace of the god Krishna (Krishna Janmabhoomi) and the primary site of pilgrimage for the annual celebration of Janmashtami. The city’s Shāh Mosque was built on the site in the 17th century, replacing a Hindu temple that had been erected there several decades earlier. The construction of a new temple, adjacent to the mosque, was completed on the site in 1965. 

Vrindavan is a town in western Uttar Pradesh state, northern India. It is situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, just north of Mathura. The town is the sacred center of the Hindu deity Krishna and those who worship him. It is especially important to the Gaudiya sect of Vaishnavism and is a major pilgrimage site.

After we went to Agra.......see shots coming next!!!

 

03-06 October - Delhi, India

                              

Delhi is a sprawling metropolis in northern India, serving as both the country's capital territory and a major cultural and historical hub. It's a city with a rich past, having been the capital of several empires and witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties. 

Today, Delhi is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, a blend of ancient monuments and modern infrastructure. Delhi has been a significant political and cultural center for centuries, with control shifting between various empires and dynasties. It became the capital of British India in 1911 and then the capital of independent India. 

It was quite an experience to see the hectic traffic filled with honking cars swerving to avoid crashing into one another and navigating around cows and hundreds of motorbikes.

 

Next I am off to Agra!

01 October 2025 - Depart for India

Today is the day! I flew to London and I met my friend Lynn and her mom Ivy at the pub I first met them a few years ago. Had fish & chips and had fun reconnecting with them. We saw a police raid in Camden Market and they hauled away bags full of counterfeit goods. Had a nice chat with the head officer ad got my picture taken with him, he was so nice. Good thing I had already bought my counterfeit Dior scarf before they arrived...lol.

After spending a few hours with them I was off to the airport again. I spent a few hours in the Business class lounge and before I knew it I was off to Delhi.

I was so exhausted after three days of practically not sleeping so I turned my seat into the bed position and slept for a few hours.

The chauffeur I had booked for my 3 weeks in India was waiting for me, I could not believe that after so many decades wanting to go to India I was finally there!

I got to The Imperial hotel early but lo and behold I was able to get an early check-in, yahoooo! After changing my shoes I was off to my clinic appointment to get the Encephaltis vaccine I did not get in Montreal. They were charging $800 for this vaccine and in India they charge $30, quite a difference!!!

After that I returned to the hotel driving through traffic jams and streets filled with cows and jumpimg monkeys.....haha, hectic but exciting!

When I finally got back to the hotel it was 2pm and I jumped into bed I was so tired. I slept until midnight stopping only for the unavoidable bathroom break.

Then I just stayed up all night watching CNN and waiting for breakfast.

India in 5 Weeks!

 

Well I am heading towards the last leg before leaving for my trip! It's ubelievable how many things you have to remember for leaving for five weeks! 

Been working hard on finalising the itinerary in regards to reconfirming all arrangements, printing out confirmations for hotels and flights etc.

I went for my vaccines this week and boy oh boy those guys aren't cheap!!! I got injections and a list of medications to take before and during my trip including high-altitude pills for Tibet.

We have been doing overnight test stays for my precious little Mousette which my cousin will be babysitting for me. So far so good, she sees that I come back for her so she should be ok while I am gone.

In the next month I will start to go through my clothles and decide what I will be bringing. It's a bit difficult since I do need clothing for a variety of temperatures. When visiting India it will be hot so light clothing is needed but in Tibet and especially EverestBase Camp it wll be cold at night so I have to take that into consideration.

It seems like only yesterday that I had 8 months before leaving and now I will be at the airport in a few weeks! Oh well c'est la vie!  

Dreaming of India

I will be finally living several bucket list events in only a couple of months! On October 1st I will head off for an extraordinary voyage that will take me to India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan! It's a trip I have wanted to do my entire life but because of my work and time restraints it was not possible until now. 

These are the only major countries in the world that I have not been to in my past 50 years of being in the travel industry. Each has many bucket list items I have dreamt of and I figure if I don't do it now I never will. 

I have made a website detailing my journey and you can see it at this link:

 https://francinv.wixsite.com/india-journey

In the next three months I will work on getting in shape especially walking every day as my days will be filled with a lot of walking. This trip I am sure will be a magical one filled with exotics sights and spiritual uplifting and I can't wait!

Each day I will be describing my adventure here so make sure to bookmark the departure date of 01 October and check back!