Blogs from Karol Bagh, Delhi, National Capital Territory, India, Asia - page 3

We had a good flight on Kingfisher Airlines including on demand English movies granted they were older movies but it kept us entertained for the 6 hour flight from Hong Kong to Delhi. We exited the airport and got into a cab as we knew it was supposed to be about 400-600 rupees. Once the driver quoted the rate of 785 rupees we knew it was too much and hopped out and found the pre pay police stall which we were quoted 400 rupees. It was around 12:30am and the driver didn’t seem to be sure of exactly where our hotel was but knew the Karol Bagh metro station it was near. I had the sense that he wanted to drop us at the metro but I wasn’t about to have that as it seemed to ... read more

Madness! Absolutely nothing could have prepared us for the onslaught that is India. From the crazy traffic, to the scores of cows wandering down the streets, the autorickshaws weaving insanely around any and all obstacles, the endless hooting, fresh and old cow dung, and the fresh and old human dung, it is a completely bamboozling experience! Delhi's air feels thick with pollution and likely as a result, people seem to be constantly coughing, hacking and spitting, and if that's not bad enough, no wall is immune from being treated as a urinal and the smell of urine and rotting rubbish frequently fill your nostrils. Delhi's population is in excess of 13million, and boy do you know about it! No where more so than in New Delhi train station and on the metro, during the rush hour. ... read more

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 ... read more

My first introduction to India was the taxi ride from Delhi airport to my hotel. It was 45 minute drive and between the fog, rain and the fact my driver's headlights weren't working....it was an "interesting" drive to say the least! Thankfully it was already 3am by this time and the streets were relatively empty. I spent my first morning in Delhi with an organisation called Salaam Baalak Trust. The trust helps street children by either providing them with 24 hour care whilst trying to relocate their parents or by finding an alternative home. Sadly many children prefer to stay on the streets as this allows them freedom to make their own decisions and run to their own schedule. I was shocked to find out that some 100,000 children currently living on the streets of Delhi ... read more