A step into luxury

Yesterday was a long day, but definitely made better by the top service we were given. I can concur that Qatar Airways really are the 5 star airline and all of the little touches along the way made the experience very enjoyable. Getting into Bangalore after the flight, we were picked up by a taxi driver and taken on a journey that lasted maybe an hour. As we have previously experienced in Sri Lanka, the roads here really are a free for all and you find yourself flinching as cars continually press their horns as they fly past you from every available direction.

When we finally reached the Taj West End, we were greeted by big iron gates and security men that saluted you... Very unexpected and strange. As we drove down to the hotel lobby, we were greeted by a further 2 men who politely ushered us through a metal detector and baggage scan (we have found this happens each time we leave from the front gates, they are obviously very high on security here).

So, our room is beautiful and has a lot of complimentary tit bits. I was, at first, disappointed to see no bath, however if this situation is anything like the last two times I've gone for a run/race and had no bath available, then it means I'm in for a good experience! So, I'm taking it as a good omen! Besides, the shower has a seat and doubles up as a personal steam room. Can't be bad eh?

We had a walk around town and laughed as we tried to negotiate traffic without being killed. It was highly amusing weaving in and out of cars, bikes, tuc tucs and buses full to the rafters. People don't bug you at all here which is refreshing, and most people greet you with a smile and a courteous nod of the head.

We sunbathed by the pool for an hour or so and were given water and then later gespacho soup with garlic bread complimentary from the spa attendant. Our first money mistake was made today as we ate a light lunch only to find it cost us £45. Everything else has been amazing though, even the room butlers neatly placed all of our toiletries onto silk napkins.

So, we shall mostly be relaxing for the forseeable future. Apart from a trip to pick up our race numbers and a day looking around the palace and various parks there wont be much done. Going for our 30 minute runs is probably going to quite eventful with this traffic too. :-)