We’ll be spending about a month in India after we finish in Nepal. We’ve decided to travel overland to Darjeeling, India from Katmandu. There are a couple of reasons for this decision. To fly to Darjeeling, we’d have to fly to New Delhi first and then take another flight to Darjeeling. After Darjeeling we would be heading back the same way we came, to New Delhi. It makes more sense to just go straight to Darjeeling. To do this directly we have to go by land. Because we’ve decided to enter India by land we can’t apply for an e-Visa on arrival. We actually has to go through the full process.

So, step one was to fill out the visa application online…..four of them….separate ones. This is like being grilled by the FBI. So many questions.The website isn’t bad, but it sure isn’t really clear with instructions either. Once that was done (which took me weeks btw….procrastinating the “not fun” planning stuff), I submitted them electronically, printed them, had everyone sign them – even the kids, and pasted the special sized photos on to them. I thought we would all have to go to Toronto to submit all the documentation in person because we were applying with minors, but when I called to see about appointment time, the lovely lady at the call centre set me up beautifully with a courier label and told me to just send it in that way. I think because we are all travelling together the interview part wasn’t necessary. But, we did have to sign some extra paperwork for the kids and send copies of their long form birth certificates. The applications, along with the extra paperwork, our passports AND a $657.60 money order!!, went into the envelope and left my hands today. *Insert expletive here*, India, you better be worth it!!

Anyone who knows me is well aware that this is the part of the trip I’m most looking forward to, the hardship was brought on solely by me.

I’m sure Mark would be ok if I said we’d skip India. I think he’ll change his mind once we’re there.

But, that being said, if I have to do this for another country….we’re flying!!