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Published: September 2nd 2011
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Day 1 - The day started bright and early as our bus pulled in to a huge mud pit with signs stating this was Delhi bus station. Quickly gathering our belongings, we walked past the hordes of screaming touts all offering to take us to our destination for an over-inflated price of course. Further down the road we managed to agree a suitable price with a driver, so we hopped in the rickshaw and headed for main bazaar - this is the main backpacker hangout in the old part of the city. After about half an hour searching the small winding alleyways, and being accompanied by numerous touts all telling us they have the best room for us and not to listen to anyone else, we found our home to be for the next few night at Sky View Hotel for 300 rupees/ night (about 4 pound - not bad for a capital city). After dumping our bags in the room and keen to explore the city, we decided to take a stroll south bound to new Delhi via Connaught place. As we neared new Delhi the streets began to widen and there were lots of open green spaces with families
playing, couples lazing in the morning sun away from the polluted roads and honking horns of the streets. We liked this place instantly, a far cry from any other city we had visited in India. After grabbing breakfast we decided to go lay down in a local park and watch the world go by for about an hour or so while our food settled, then it was off to see some sights. Walking further south for about 45 mins, and with Hayley's feet starting to blister from her newly acquainted flip flops, we arrived at India gate - The national monument of India. After a short rest here we jumped a rickshaw down the 3km straight road towards president Pratibha Patil's house and the parliament buildings. Here we were refused access because of ongoing political protests so we decided to have yet another rest stop on a relaxing local park. This area of Delhi really reminded us of Paris with its wide tree-lined roads, we loved it! Feeling energized once more we decided to visit the former home of India's most famous man - Mahatma Gandhi - so we hailed a rickshaw and were on our way. Arriving here we
noticed there was a very relaxed atmosphere and slow pace of life within the grounds; it wasn't crowded with tourists like like most sights (which is always a bonus). The grounds of Gandhi's former home are also the place where he breathed his last breath before being assassinated, brought down by a Hindu Zealot at 5:17pm on January 30th 1948. Gandhi's final steps from his bedroom to the spot were he died have been retraced and a small pavilion built in his memory. After paying our respects we headed back to Connaught place to take advantage of being in a big city by checking out whether the cinema was playing the new Planet of the apes film. Much to our disappointment, it was not so we decided to head to the local pool hall for an hour or so before heading back to main bazaar for some excellent food. Tired from our day of sight seeing we then headed to bed for some shut eye, looking forward to another jam packed day that was to follow.
Day 2 - After waking and showering we headed out about 9am for some breakfast before heading over to New Delhi train station
to reserve tickets for the Sunday morning train to Amritsar. Here we were greeted by a man who assured us that we couldn't get the tickets here, but would instead have to proceed to another location for which he could organise a rickshaw for 20 rupees. Sensing a lie, we ignored him and proceeded to the International Tourist Bureau on Level 1 of the station building and purchased our tickets (Backpackers 1 - Touts 0). From here we then made our way to the Red Fort via rickshaw. Along the way we found ourselves smack bang in the middle of the main protest area within the city, with thousands of rowdy protesters shouting at us, banging on the vehicle, and attempting to snatch a lighter from Hayley's hands - very intimidating to say the least! After about 10 minutes trapped by the human traffic, we came out the other side and soon arrived at the fort. After a ten minute wander we left and took a rickshaw back to main bazaar. Finding ourselves at New Mount Everest restaurant for drinks and a spot of people-watching from the balcony, we watched as hoards of protesters made their way down the street,
all the while chanting and blocking busy traffic! Later we dined at old Mount Everest restaurant before heading to bed to enjoy a spot of western television viewing which we had missed so dearly!
Day 3 - After waking early and eating breakfast at Mount everest restaurant, we made our way back to Connaught place in search of a sports bar which would be screening Chris's precious Liverpool match that evening. It was at this point that Chris experienced terrible stomach pains (Delhi belly strikes) so we swiftly made our way back towards base. En route Chris was forced to stop at the local free toilet. Back at old Delhi we made an unsuccessful attempt at the blog and Skype call home for Hayley. With kick-off time nearing we headed to New Mount Everest Restaurant for food, football and beers which we drank from teapots and mugs! We stayed here till approximately 1am , meeting an English chap called Steven and chatting the night away, before heading off to bed ready to leave the next morning.
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