Back to India—Again!

Well… I didn’t expect to return to India quite so soon, but here I am—just four weeks after my last visit. This time, I split my time between Mumbai and Delhi, spending two days in each city. It was noticeably hotter than it was in March, which definitely added an extra layer of challenge to an already packed work schedule.

A New Route (Because the Last One Was… Less Than Ideal)

After my previous not-so-great transit experience, I decided to try a different route this time. Here’s how it went:

✈ Sydney to Bangkok (via Finnair, operated for Qantas)

Boarding area under renovation?

This was a Qantas-issued ticket (codeshare with Emirates), but it was part of a wet lease with Finnair—meaning the aircraft and service were provided entirely by Finnair. The flight was completely full and delayed at departure, but fortunately, it made up time in the air and arrived slightly ahead of schedule.

Once in Bangkok Airport… let’s just say it involved a lot of walking.

 

610m is only to connecting security gate

✈ Bangkok to Mumbai (Thai Airways)

Bangkok Airport

This leg was with Thai Airways—part of Star Alliance, so unfortunately, no lounge access for me 😔. It would’ve been nice to squeeze in some shopping, but alas. Another packed flight, and 4 hours and 30 minutes later, I was back in Mumbai.

Welcome back to Mumbai!

✈ Mumbai to Delhi (Air India… oh dear)

After two full days of business meetings in Mumbai, I was off to Delhi. This domestic leg, operated by Air India, was by far the worst experience of the trip.

The flight, scheduled to depart around 7:55 PM, was delayed by over two hours. I didn’t arrive in Delhi until after midnight, and by the time I checked into my hotel and got to bed, it was past 2 AM. Exhausted doesn’t even begin to cover it.

arghh......

nice view of Mumbai

Everyone's keen to get out

Plane to Bus to Terminal

✈ Delhi to Sydney (via Melbourne)

After wrapping up another two days in Delhi, it was finally time to head home. Thankfully, Qantas operates a direct flight from Delhi to Melbourne, so my only connection was within Australia.

The lounge in Delhi was a shared space for all airlines—nothing like the Qantas First Lounge, but I was still grateful for the chance to shower after spending the day in 40°C heat. (Although—no hot water? In a lounge? Really?) Still, after walking around in the blazing sun, even a cold shower felt like a luxury.

Shower with no hot water

Once again, the flight was delayed—by over an hour. Delhi Airport is currently over capacity, and there simply aren’t enough runways to accommodate all the traffic. Hopefully, the new airport in Noida opens soon and eases some of the strain.

A lot of people needing support to board

✈ The Final Stretch: Melbourne to Sydney

With only 1 hour and 25 minutes between landing in Melbourne and my domestic connection to Sydney, I was nervous I’d miss the flight. Fortunately, we landed close to schedule—thank you, Qantas!

The only real stress point was at Melbourne Airport customs. Despite the crowd, only two gates were open, and the line was long. After finally making it through, I dashed to the domestic terminal—though, as it turns out, I didn’t need to rush. I had just enough time to catch my breath and even chat with Frode on the phone.

Almost home!

Queue at the custom

One more flight to Sydney!!

Almost forgot that it's an Easter Friday

This made me so happy!

A Return to India—Eleven Years Later

It’s hard to believe it’s been eleven years since Frode and I last found ourselves in Mumbai, back when we were globe-trotting with backpacks and open itineraries. That trip was full of spontaneity, rickshaws, and vibrant street scenes—the kind of travel that stays with you forever.

This time, however, the circumstances were a little different.

Mumbai

I returned to Mumbai on a short, four-day work trip—less adventure, more agenda. Though my schedule was tightly packed with meetings and commitments, I still managed to soak in a few moments of the city’s energy. A quick stroll past local vendors and a couple of delicious Indian meals were enough to spark memories of our previous visit. It felt good to be back, even if only for a short visit.

Street vendor selling earrings!!

Getting There: Not Exactly Seamless

What I didn’t anticipate was just how complex getting to Mumbai from Sydney would be—particularly when flying with Qantas (which, I admit, I remain loyal to for the sake of those frequent flyer points 😅).

My outbound journey took me from Sydney to Bangalore, and then on to Mumbai: 

✈ Sydney – Bangalore – Mumbai

Airport bus

Flight QF67 from Sydney to Bangalore clocked in at just under 12 hours, departing mid-morning and arriving mid-afternoon local time. Upon landing in Bengaluru’s Terminal 2 (the international terminal), I had to transfer to Terminal 1 for my domestic connection. What should have been a straightforward layover turned into a bit of a marathon: sluggish immigration lines, a wait for the inter-terminal shuttle, and another round of security.

Thankfully, I had a 3-hour-and-20-minute buffer, which I ended up needing. I even managed to squeeze in a brief call with Frode before his bedtime—no small feat given the 5.5-hour time difference.

The final leg to Mumbai was operated by IndiGo, a budget Indian carrier. It was a short two-hour flight, though the experience was distinctly utilitarian—no frills, minimal legroom, and a definite budget-airline feel.

Still, I arrived in Mumbai around 9:20pm, where a driver from the hotel met me for a seamless and civilized transfer—quite the contrast from our transportation choices back in our backpacking days (refer to the “transport” chapter of that trip for a good laugh 😂).

Land of Chai!

The Return: Not Quite an Upgrade

While I had assumed the journey to Mumbai would be the more chaotic of the two, the return trip proved even more eventful.

I flew from Mumbai to Singapore (again on IndiGo), and unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired. The aircraft felt cramped and tired, with no hot meals and very limited space—six hours felt considerably longer in that setting.

Welcome to IndiGo!

That said, the crew was exceptionally courteous, addressing passengers by name as they served what can only be described as a curious mix of snacks: a half corn-and-cheese sandwich, pomegranate juice, date cookies, and rice crackers. Unusual, but oddly charming.

Once I landed in Singapore, I made a beeline for the Qantas Lounge, where a quick shower and a proper meal worked wonders. Refreshed and recharged, I boarded the final 8-hour leg home to Sydney.

 

Champagne and barramundi at Qantas Lounge

Despite the less-than-glamorous flights and a packed schedule, being back in Mumbai after more than a decade was a joy. Even a brief visit was enough to stir memories and remind me why India holds such a unique place in my heart.

Until next time, Mumbai.