Travel Arrangements

 

After considerable to-ing and fro-ing, I’ve invited Barbara Holmes-Balmer to come with me as my “groom”.  Barb is one of my oldest Endurance friends; we have ridden many thousands of miles together, on several horses, in both competition and training.  Also, we have co-managed the Ride Over the Rainbow for something like 20 years.  Barb has also been Organizing Committee for an FEI ride, a Steward applicant, and an FEI-level rider, so she will be both pleasant company and a valuable asset!

Several days of online searching for airflights, trying to figure out arrival departure dates, etc…  Finally got the best rate through Flight Centre (www.flightcentre.ca).  We need to BE in New Delhi on the 11th of February; departure dates much more flexible.

SO—we will be leaving Vancouver on China Eastern Airline at 12:30 pm on February 9th, arriving in Shanghai at 4:35 pm on the 10th.  Leaving Shanghai at 9:05 pm and arriving New Delhi at 2:05 am on the 11th.  From there, we are in the hands of the Organizing Committee until after the ride!

We have arranged to stay a few extra days after the ride, hopefully to see the Taj Mahal in Agra and perhaps the Red Fort.  Jane Williams has sent me the contact info for an agent who will arrange all of this for us…we are already being well looked after!

Coming home, we leave New Delhi at 3:20 am on the 18th of Feb, arriving in Shanghai at 11:20 am.  Leaving Shanghai at 1:30 pm and arriving back in Vancouver at 7:50 am.

So far so good—next step visa and shots!