United Arab Emirates

After months of planning, emails, paperwork, visa, booking hotels and flights, the thorough planning support , knowledge and experience of Merrygo Travel Company, in Delhi... the "Grand Depart" on my big adventure to India had arrived.

After a major kit review by Tom, "Don't need that or that, or that..............." as I cried and pleaded for mercy? Then Nick arrived, the terminator, no mercy shown with his ruthless seasoned traveller advice to me. Then finally, Jane "We will not pay any ransome demands for your father!". Thank you my beloved wife and dear sons. By 9am the zips of my bags were closed and secured with every Pacsafe device known to man, and loaded up into Tom's car, we drove north to Newcastle Airport.

Soon I was checking in with my baggage at the Emirates desk and was immediately served by a lovely Emirates lady. I smugley looked down at the 100's of Ryanair passengers waiting to check in, I felt sorry for them ! I then glanced over at the empty and very civilised Emirates bag check in. All was going well with another lovely Emirates lady until she said "I'm sorry Mr Casey but you are 3kgs over weight" I thought cheeky person, but she was referring to my baggage, 3 kg over and £50 extra ? Jane, Tom and Nick shook their heads, thinking will he make Delhi?

Any way it was now time for goodbyes, hugs and kisses as I took on the next challenge, Security ! No problem, straight through, no body search or off with your shoes, I felt a very savvy and experienced traveller as I looked back at my Family. I would soon be cruising at 39000' heading for India.
Soon I was feasting on oriental shrimp and noodles salad, chicken in coconut sauce, lemon and cream torte, and a lovely chardonnay. So onwards and upwards to Dubai, landing at 12 midnight and 32oC !!!!

I hope these travelblog diaries of my trip will be strong on spontaneity of my experiences rather than sober reflections I hope that they tell my story of discovery, adventure, people and places that I meet and see as I journey "Overland through India" over the next six weeks.

After a major kit review by Tom, "Don't need that or that, or that..............." as I cried and pleaded for mercy? Then Nick arrived, the terminator, no mercy shown with his ruthless seasoned traveller advice to me. Then finally, Jane "We will not pay any ransome demands for your father!". Thank you my beloved wife and dear sons.

Anyway by 9am the zips where closed and secured with every Pacsafe device known to man, and so load up in Tom's Audi we drove north to Newcastle Airport via Ouston? I checked in with my baggage to a lovely Emirates lady, as I smugley looked down at the 100's of Ryanair passengers, then glanced over at the empty and very civilised Emirates bag check in. All was going well with another lovely Emirates lady until she said "I'm sorry Mr Casey but you are 3kgs over weight" I thought cheeky person, but she was referring to my baggage, 3 kg over and £50 exrtra ? Jane, Tom and Nick shook their heads, thinking will he make Delhi?

Any way itwas now time for goodbyes, hugs and kisses as I took on the next challenge, Security ! No problem, straight through, no body search or off with your shoes, I felt very smug as I looked back at my Family.

I bet you have not eaten oriental shrimp and noodles salad, chicken in coconut sauce, lemon and cream torte, and a lovely chardonnay at 39000'? You must ! So onwards and upwards to Dubai, landing at 12 midnight and 32oC !!!!

I hope these travelblog diaries of my trip will be strong on spontaneity of my experiences rather than sober reflections I hope that they tell my story of discovery, adventure, people and places that I meet and see as I journey "Overland through India" over the next six weeks.
I hope you all enjoy my journey with me too! So please leave a comment or two.

Got to go now for my check in for the next leg of my journey... Dubai to Delhi ! Best wishes, Mike.