INDIA HERE WE COME...

I'm still in shock that NO ONE in the last two months mentioned to either Dan, my boss Bernard or myself that a visa would be needed for entry into India. I know when people tell me they are going to China it's the first thing I tell them... "make sure you take care and time to get your visa!!" My boss is still shaking his head in disbelief!

I'm also shocked that BOTH of the travel guides that I have for Mumbai have the listing of needing a visa hidden in the back of the book --- FYI editors --- that's front page information.

UPDATE from this morning's post below:

** For the record... you no longer need FOUR passport photos -- one will suffice.

** Although it's not mentioned ANYWHERE in the guidelines, if you are aiming for a ten year business visa, be sure to bring a letter from your company stating that you really are doing work there -- and be sure it's on your company letterhead... if not -- you'll get a 1 year visa like I did and get to go see the nice folks at the consulate again next year.

Looks like Dan will need to spend his spare two days back in Johannesburg (he was there already this trip) getting his Visa, rather than exploring Mumbai, India for two extra days before I arrive... too bad... but I guess it's better than other options (like not being able to get into India!) He'll now get there 2 hours after I do rather than 2 days before.

Off to pick up my passport with my frosty new Visa -- keep those fingers crossed that it's all in good order!

INDIA - OH THE MESS

Midnight Monday --- reading the travel guides for Mumbai ---

OH MY GOODNESS...

WHAT?

WE NEED A VISA??

Now at 6am I read it's confirmed by my travel agent who "thought we are always so self sufficient and didn't think to mention it!"

I leave in 4 days ---
But DAN is in SOUTH AFRICA and leaves in 2 days and needs one -- and I can't get ahold of him!! I've left him a text msg - but his phone is off.
I've called the Botanic Garden he's visiting/staying at and they are now working on their side to track him down.

This is A MESS!
CALGON!!! HELP!!!

UPDATE:
8:30am...
Yeah! My call to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town South Africa was an apparent success -- Thanks to Andrew who was indeed able to track Dan down!! I just spoke to him so we're at least on the same page. He's now off to get passport photos while our travel agent here in the US tracks down where he needs to get to in S. Africa for this visa. I'm lucky - i can get a same day visa in NYC...geesh...poor Dan! He was already wishing he had more days in to explore Cape Town!

Off to get my own passport photos -- for the record -- you'll need FOUR for India!