THINGS ARE HAPPENING!

SATURDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2008
Moving apace now, I have been in discussion with the travel agents and found that the travel plans I had would not be very cost-effective. Flying from Kolkata to Singapore would not be a direct flight and would cost in excess of £850 for the single trip! They suggested flying from Mumbai which would mean completing a "round robin" type of tour of India. This is not a problem but might put an additional day on my travels.
I decided I needed to take a look at other flight options myself and, after half a day of internet investigation one afternoon this week (well it wouldn't be much use being IT manager if I couldn't!) I found it would be at least a couple of hundred pounds cheaper to do the two legs as complete round trips, i.e. UK to Mumbai & return at the start and end of the trip, and Mumbai to Singapore & return within that time. It means an additional flight but I can then plan the internal travel a bit better, staying in Mumbai and Colaba towards the end of the time rather than at the beginning.
The travel agent also gave me the contact of a charity in Leicester which specialises in India visa applications - it would appear that the Indian High Commission have 'farmed out' the visa application to a number of agencies who charge seemingly increasing amounts to process the application. The welfare in Leicester completes the whole process for a minimal amount and a donation to charity.
I parked in Abbey Park and walked up the Belgrave/Melton Road into the Indian quarter of Leicester. I was intrigued by the number of wedding shops peppered along this road. There seemed to be one every few yards, it would seem that these people view marriage as of tremendous importance in their lives. There was also the wonderful aromas floating on the gentle breeze - with resturants and fast food houses intertwined with the other shops along the route. It was quite intoxicating for someone who enjoys a good curry.
The welfare was a single fronted shop with just one room with a number of desks. There were about a dozen asians being dealt with or waiting when I arrived. I was a little apprehensive being the only white person in the area,let alone the room! I shouldn't have worried though, everyone was most helpful.
Even when they found out I was living in Northamptonshire - it seems that the rules had recently changed and I would need to go to London to complete the application. However, being very helpful, the girl on the desk noticed I had a referee with a Leicestershire address and asked if I could use that as a base address. As I'd copied the application form just in case I'd pre-filled anything incorrectly this was an easy task. The Leicestershire address was that of my mother so there would be no issue with the notification going to her address. After finishing off the form, I paid the fee and now I await the outcome - which I've been told is in around a week to ten days.
This has made the whole trip seem so much more real, it seems like things are starting to happen.

My new relationship is also moving along swimmingly, with the pair of us like a couple of teenagers, and really enjoying the time we spend together. It will be something of a wrench to leave Caroline behind for any period of time. One thing which will ease the pain is that she also is having a holiday in early January and this will co-incide with my trip.
There is also another happening on the horizon, Caroline's daughter Louise, is expecting her second child (they have just been admitted to the labour ward as I'm writing this blog) - have just received a text from in the ward that the time seems to be fast approaching.
Hoping all is ok and I'll be able to add the happy event in the next installment.