Blogs from Delhi, National Capital Territory, India, Asia - page 8

Day one-Travelling Phew wow.... A very hard star to this journey! I have already named it my, 'Exotic Hotel' journey. A pun on the similarly named film! I had two very difficult conversations with Jonny Crooks and my Dad before I left. John updated me on Di's medical situation, which I am struggling to leave behind, but I know Di was keen for me to do this trip for so many reasons; then my Dad, given the situation with the very recent passing of my Mum, it's hard to leave him behind too! I know it is hard for everyone involved on both counts. I am aware that all my friends and family want me to continue with my plans; the hard reality is that there is nothing I can do about any of it. This ... read more

Indira Gandhi International was clean and surprisingly well ordered, which was good because we were both hellishly tired. After clearing customs, we collected our luggage and then found an ATM so we could get some rupees. That done, we wandered over to the parade of men waiting with name boards. My name was on one of them, and I was thankful we’d arranged our airport transfer in advance of arriving. After shaking hands with Rahul, we were led past the trolley boys and babbling taxi wallahs towards the exit. “How are you feeling?’ Angela asked, looking up at the sky. April was the start of the hot season in India, and already the temperature was nudging thirty degrees Celsius. The humidity was bad too, as was the smell – an all-pervading aroma of smoke and wood ... read more

Greetings readers, well,today was our first official tour day in Delhi. We had the usual crazy taxi ride to our first location which was the Salaambaa lak trust which is a charity which helps out the street kids of Delhi. It takes them off the streets and provides accommodation, food, medical attention and education for kids who beg, steal and pick pocket and do drugs etc or are in street gangs. Some go back to their parents but many stay and grow up and get an education to go on and do well in Alice. Our guide told us his story of a violent farther who beat him her he didn't earn enough money begging. So he tried shoe shining, pot washing, taking food out of bins to eat, being in a street gang and also ... read more

Evening everyone! It's 21.11 here in Delhi. We'll I've now met my travelling companions for my trip. Latoya from USA, Mary from Canada but she has been in Tiwan for the last. 3 years teaching English and is very much the traveller and heading back to Canada via a few countries, and intends to head to South America ASAP after working temporarily to get some money together. There is also a couple from Preston Chris and Steph and then there is our tour guide Dushyant. He is lovely, easy going, has a sense of humour, and tells us he is a male model (yes ladies I will get a photo or two of him for you to check him out). He also works for G adventures to supplement his income. We've had the welcome meeting and ... read more

Recently I was fortunate enough to lead a group to India for two hectic weeks of sightseeing. Totally different to the usual standard of travel we do (luxury instead of backpacking) but got to visit some amazing hotels. If anyone gets the chance, stay at the Leela Palace in delhi... stunning hotel! A place that we visited for the first time was a town called Orcha which is between Agra and Khajuraho. Other than the seeing the Taj, Orcha was the biggest highlight for the group. It is just a stunning place that is not expected. Very limited tourists and if anyone going to India is looking for something of the beaten track this is worth the effort. It was the first time that I have visited Khajuraho also. The only reason to visit here is ... read more