Monday 6/8 ... an easier day today ... a catch up with Jassa our guide over breakfast - great to see him again!! I managed to book a Balinese massage at the Metropolitan Hotel, hmm ok ... it was perhaps 5 stars ... but India makes it affordable !!! After a quick hectic tuk tuk ride we felt a little like impostors as we alighted our shabby tuk tuk at the gates of the very fancy hotel ... explained to the guards we had a spa booking ... obviously we must not have looked like regular guests!!! Once past the guards we entered the quieter tranquil gardens of the world of the very wealthy!! Guards and footmen in full livery welcomed us like we were frequent guests .... they are good at there jobs!!! I'm sure they muttered 'impostors' after we passed by!!
Down to the spa area we were we warmly greeted and the prices reconfirmed with us... hmmm did they think we had no money?!!!!! I offered to pay immediately .. thinking holy crap what is wrong with our clothes?!!! After all I had my new Soma shirt on!!!!
We were then escorted to separate areas to change, I was supervised by a tiny, beautiful Indian girl who made me feel huge, old and clunky!!!! :)) She explained I should use the steam room first, I lost a little in translation about exactly how long I was to remain steaming ...then I was to shower!!
As I steamed away like a chook ..wondering what an acceptable period was .. finally I decided death by dehydration was looming I escaped into the shower!!
Magically as I slipped back into robe the young girl appeared to escort me to the massage room .. which was darkened .. full of the scent of rich oils.. and calmness ... very zen!!
My massage lady checked the pressure was correct at intervals whispered instructions in my ear ... 'Everything is alright madam?' 'are you comfortable madam' 'please be turning over madam' 'may I massage your breasts madam?!!!!!' Wot????!!!
All too soon the massage was over and we were gliding through to the Craft House .. also part of the Met to the most unusual and beautiful gifts .. yes of course we made significant purchases .. didn't want to ruin my shopping reputation!!

We then wandered around Connaught Place shopping and stopping by Soma .. yes again!!

A quick tuk tuk back to our hotel to meet up with Shari & Rosie who had flown in a little earlier!! Back to Connaught Plaza for a quick shop and a bucket sized margarita in a swanky bar!!
Tuesday 7/8 earlier start to our site seeing of the old market area of Chandi Chowk in Old Delhi, Jama Masjid and the Red Fort. The metro ride to Old Delhi was beyond belief ... women and men travel in separate carriages ... the reason for this is apparent as we were pushed and packed in tighter than sardines!! At our stop it was like a Tsunami of people spewing onto the platform!!! Once we emerged from the platform the heavens opened .. and we were caught in a massive down pour of warm rain!! As we splashed down the streets, a man was having a shower .. with soap under a down pipe .. dogs were sheltering under cars .. the streets quickly became awash!! Onward towards the mosque and just as we entered the rain stopped! We put on our brightly covered coveralls and wandered around the ancient building!
Next was a cycle rickshaw ride to the Red Fort... chaos again ... laughter all around as the driver navigated the tiny choked lane ways. The Red Fort
is very impressive and I enjoyed my second visit more as the heat was not as blistering as last time... young boys and men sneakily snapped or videoed us and every opportunity!! Hilarious .. the braver boys asked to pose with us!!

We hired a car and a driver for the afternoon and took in the sites of Humayuns Tomb which was a trial run for the Taj Mahal, Qutab Complex and we finished up at the Lotus Temple which is for the BaHai Faith! All were impressive and Rosie was particularly impressed with the BaHai ... maybe a convert!!
Quick vegetarian dinner and a early night - we had a flight at 5am so up at 1.30am :(
Wednesday 8/8 OMG what a ridiculous time to catch a flight ... the flight was about 60 minutes and as we dropped down from the clouds we could see the dramatic scenery of this incredible area. Dry desert and lush valleys where the rivers flowed ... as we dropped lower and lower through the mountains my heart was pounding we were navigating through a tight squeeze - it looked like the wings were about to touch the mountains as we came in to land ... there was a collective 'ohhh' from all the passengers!!!
Transfer to our hotel and Jassa had told us we were in lock down until 5pm so we could start to acclimatize as we are at 3500 meters. No argument from me I was feeling a bit sick anyway ... and only got worse ... and worse blinding headache, nausea - everything - I have never felt so sick in my life .. I honestly thought I was going to die.