The First Escorted Tour of Anurag

MY FIRST ESCORTED GROUP

It was my first escorted tour. That was the time, when I was suffering in Delhi for my book. I was wondering and meeting with many publishers and scholars. But no one showed interest because it was not talking about Kama Sutra or some fiction of Khajurhao. Just it was a research and detailed study of Lakshamana temple of Khajruaho. I was staying in the house of my friend Mr. Raj Singh Taxak and all the time he was supporting and encouraging me. Just to pass my time, I started English coaching class and rest of the time I was trying to contact with different travel agents. 

Then, I got a positive response from Mr. Joy Mojumdar the  Director of Prudent Holiday Network. He called me and invited for a tea in his office. We talked a lot and at the end he asked for an assignment. It was escorting of 13 people. In this group, there were 12 beautiful turkish women and 1turkish handsome. It was starting from Delhi and covering all important destination of North India and Nepal.

New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Kathamandu, Varanasi, Khajruaho, Orchha and Delhi.

It was my first tour, so did a lot of home work like I personally visited at Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi and rest is my area. I came back and gave the assurance to Mr. Joy to complete this tour.

I received the group at hotel Grand Continental at Barakhamba Road. I started my tour with them and completed our sightseeing of Delhi.

Next day, we transfered to Jaipur and stayed two night in Jaipur and completed all important sight seeing of Jaipur. Then, we came to Agra and stayed at Mughal Sheraton Agra for next two nights and did the sight seeing of Agra fort and Taj Mahal. Next we transfered from Agra to Delhi and got our first flight from Delhi to Kathamandu. It was an experience for us. Next day we completed Kathamandu and excursion and flew from Kathamandu to Varanasi and here was stay of 3 nights.

We enjoyed evening Ganga Aarti, Sunrise at River Ganga, Banaras University and enjoyed classical dance of north India called Kathak. Also, we enjoyed boat ride from Varanasi to Ramanagar. In that boat, we had Sitar played and tabla player. It was nicely decorated and the whole ambiance very romantic.

Then we flew from Varanasi to Khajuraho and stayed for 2 nights. Luckily, I had a marriage celebration in our relation. So, the whole group attended that occasion and it was the highlight of the tour.  

They met with my family members, relatives and friends.

Then, we drove from Khajuraho to Orchha and took our train from Jhansi to Delhi.

I concluded my tour with them at Delhi with gala dinner and they offered so many gifts to me. Still, these are our memories and I am keeping them in my heart.

The appreciation amount of the group was US$ 1000, which was kept in a very decorative Persian purse, which is kept in my precious box and every year in Diwali (festival of light), I worship that purse as lucky sign for my business.

Still, these beautiful people are my friends and we chat in facebook and share our views.

I am very thankful Mrs. Gulen Cetin, Filiz Kardelen, Mulkiye Baysan, who are still in touch.