Lucknow is simply marvellous, says Finnish couple!
LUCKNOW: Finnish couple Esko Hurme and Hilkka Lappela had planned to stay in Lucknow for just five days. But, the city’s beautiful architecture, delectable awadhi cuisine and rich cultural heritage has drawn these tourists to not just double their stay here, but also return in time for the Lucknow Mahotsav.
Hurme and Lappela-retired professionals from Finland-- came to Lucknow on November 4 and started their sightseeing with the heritage walks of Chowk and Qaiserbagh organised by the tourism department. And the tours made them realise how that five days were much too less to explore the vast historical and cultural treasure in the Hindi heartland.
“We did the heritage walk and thereafter visited each monument on separate days. We wanted to give sufficient time to each monument to get to know its history better and admire the sheer beauty of its architecture. It is simply marvelous,” Esko said.
The couple, who left for Allahabad on Friday after spending 10 days here, visited monuments, zoo, the botanical garden and even attended cultural evening-skathak, qawwali and folk songs.
And now they would be back to attend the Lucknow Mahotsav. “We came to know that the Mahotsav was the biggest fair of Lucknow and we want to be a part of it. So we will return to attend it,” said Hilkka.
Ask the couple about their strolls down Hazratganj and the sumptuous street food and their eyes light up. “We enjoyed Lucknow’s street food to the fullest during our stay. We have been coming to India for ten years now and are deeply in love with the country. But every time we find something new here. Its amazing,” Esko said.
President of Connect Lucknow Chander Prakash, who met the couple at his bookshop, says, “It is interesting to see that Lucknow has so much to offer and it is evident form the tourists’ reactions how much they enjoyed their stay here. It is time that the citizens, government and tour operators got together to reap this rich harvest that is our culture.”