A week out from heading off it's the usual flurry or WhatsApp messages, phone calls and endless discussions about exactly what we should bring .....and what to leave behind!
We are a group of 6 'mature' Australian women determined to keep travelling despite the challenges of aging gracefully. We've travelled together many times now and have learnt to cope with everyone's idiosyncrasies (although I have none of course!).
So this time it's India, a country five of us have visited before. We have three weeks to explore two of the largest cities, Delhi and Kolkata, visit the ancient city of Varanasi and admire the temples of Khajuraho before heading to the cool of the tea mountains in Darjeeling.
Fortunately, we all finally conquered the task of obtaining an e-visa so we don't get returned to Australia from Immigration before we've even started! Getting an acceptable photo of both ourselves and our passports in the right format took some time. But the endless not very subtle questions about any Pakistani blood or connections was irritating. I'm not sure how many times
The packing challenges include:
How cold is cold in Darjeeling? Difficult to answer as none of the weather services seem to agree! How many jackets and jumpers does one need to pack without weighing down your bag with unnecessary warm weather clothes before heading back to 35 degree heat further south? Tricky!
Who is bringing the Vegemite? Last trip I brought a squeezy tube and it was very well-used .....especially when someone was not feeling 100%. So Kerryn very kindly bought us all a tube, but 6 tubes of Vegemite is definitely overcatering as we only need one!
The necessity for many G&Ts is unquestionable in the heat, so someone has to be allocated the significant responsibility of bringing a tiny chopping board and a very sharp knife for cutting limes: essential for a great G&T. Then there is the question of the volume of gin we will drink at our nightly drinks event. Very challenging mathematical calculations have finally resulted in deciding on two bottles (with Indian Wine Stores as a default!).
Finally, we are all attempting to stay healthy! After last year when Helen became ill a few days before we left and missed the entire trip, we are all being super vigilant about who we are associating with. Grandchildren are to be avoided where possible and keeping our distance, as advised in COVID times, is our motto at the moment.
So, it's time to pack the essential items of clothing and then take half of them out so you have space for treasures you might buy......!
India here we come!
Your can't -wait -to -be there correspondent
Dianne
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