Commendation

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Thu, 22 Nov 2007

btjh@iafrica.com

Dear Shweta

Here we are back home after our short but very memorable tour of India.

We all need to thank you for arranging the tour and answering our e-mails so promptly.

Initially we thought it a bit of a risk finding a tour company on the internet, but out fears was ill founded.

The accommodation in Mumbai was basic, but very close to the Taj President. Several of the players changed their accommodation to the Supreme Hotel which was certainly cheaper than the Taj. We were able to watch the finals of the Scrabble championships, which were most interesting. Noelene had asked other agents to find suitable accommodation in Mumbai, but you were the only one who was able to do so, so thanks for that. The touring arrangements worked out very well with the eight seater. We must commend Ram for his driving skills in all the heavy traffic. The guides were excellent, with special commendation to Raj in Delhi.

The confusion with the hotels was that I took the names down from your letter of July 24 at 9:37pm and did not notice that they has changed in your letter of July 25 at 4:01 pm. I was the only one not happy with the substitute hotel in Delhi, and thus my phone call. However, on the return I enjoyed relaxing on the rooftop restaurant and even had some games of Scrabble there with Trevor.He had to allow me a very good handicap. Trevor and I enjoyed a swim at the hotel in Jaipur. This was certainly the best of the tour. Unfortunately I must mention our disappointment with the agent who took us to the airport on our departure from Delhi.

Whereas the agent in Mumbai ensured that we were booked onto our plane and took charge of the whole procedure, this agent in Delhi merely dropped us off at the International airport. When we looked for Kingfisher lines we were told that we were at the wrong airport. This meant taking prepaid taxis to the domestic airport. The drivers demanded tips equal to the cost of the fares.Trevor and Noelene's taxi took them to the wrong terminal and they had to take a shuttle bus to the Kingfisher terminal. All this could have caused them to miss the flight to Mumbai. Fortunately the plane departed 45 minutes late. We really thought that the agent would have been given the details of our flights, or would have asked for our tickets to check the details, and would have taken the trouble to book us on the plane, instead of just dumping us at the wrong airport. We did not expect a mishap like this when all the other arrangements had gone so smoothly.

I'm sure you are familiar with the expression that "all's well that ends well". We did not miss our flight, but could have done without the experience, especially at that time of morning.

I'm sorry we were not able to meet you in Delhi. With all the correspondence, Noelene and I got to know you well, without meeting you.

I trust you received that very small momento from South Africa which we asked the agent to pass on to you.

To sum up, it was a very interesting tour and we thank you for the efficient way you organised it for us.

I'm not sure if we will be visiting India again, but if we do so we will contact you at Compass Tours.

On behalf of Estelle, Trevor, Noelene and Joy

Best wishes and regards

Brian