All Our Bags Are Packed!

India # 2

The magnificent Taj Mahal Hotel - We stayed here in 2008

Evening ambiance is very special

Architecture is a blend of Persian, Victorian and French designs

Hotel security is a high priority - checking under cars fand in trunk for explosives. Calendrical barriers go down when all is cleared.

Time to reflect about the full life we have experienced

Hotel offers formalwear just in case we received an invitation--which we did happen to get unexpectedly...

One of a kind! Jerry will take three pairs, in different colors!

Hotel offered significant customer service and attentiveness. We received two phone calls from the hotel manager apologizing that our room was not ready when we checked in. Actually, we arrived one hour earlier than indicated check-in time. We had a leisurely lunch and walked around the property. When entering our room, we found flower peddles leading to the bedroom area. Delicious candies arrived later that evening. Throughout our stay we were asked if there was anything the hotel could do for us. MAYBE, the hotel managements got us mixed up with another guest!?!?!?!

Our hotel room had a fabulous view of the "Gate Way To India Monument" - constructed in 1911 for a visit by Queen Elizabeth's parents -- King George V and Queen Mary

Greeting ceremony for the king and queen

Plenty of ferry and shuttle boats to take people to and from the harbor

Breakfast was amazing! This was the "hot food" section that changed each day. An extensive selection of "cold food," pastries, etc. were also available. The food was fabulous!!

Food flavors were very complex as well as sometimes, "chilly hot!" There was also a wide selection of condiments for guests wanting to "Spice things up a bit!"

A large kitchen with several chefs prepared food that was available if a guest wanted more traditional food from the menu as well as "specialty" items.

We had a wonderful server who made a point of choosing dishes that were not too spicy but very favorable. This was our breakfast.

Besides regular coffee, the restaurant offered "filtered" coffee which comes from beans roasted longer than usual. Milk is added. Then, there is a process calling for the hot liquid to be poured back and forth as part of a mixing process. It seemed to have a hint of a "chocolate flavor" that came from the extra roasting. It was delicious!

There were plenty of floral arrangements throughout the hotel as well as candles and other pleasant or perfumed items that gave us a feeling that we were truly in "another place!"

We have plenty of "couples" art at home. This picture will help us remember these guys.

Jerry says, "Pretty lady, pretty walkway..."

All of the public areas - pool, restaurant, patio, etc. are covered with a screen to keep the birds from bothering the guests and making a mess.

Jerry decided to get a two-hour treatment/massage

This was the description of the treatment.

It started with a delicious tea. AND THEN, Jerry was scrubbed until his skin almost came off, rubbed with scented oils, continuously splashed with large pails of hot water followed by more oils, more washing and then finished off with pails full of cows milk poured all over his body. Then came the massage... It was quite an experience!!

We tend to be adventurous and went for a walk. The first day was a little unnerving. We had to navigate taxis and other vehicles double and tripled parked on heavily trafficked streets.

We also had to learn about the traffic patterns and crossing streets. In some areas there were no sidewalks to protect us from getting hit by other cars. Crossing the streets reminded us of Viet Nam. Pedestrians cross streets while vehicles and motorcycles drive through the intersection.