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Published: March 5th 2009
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It's a Circus out here...
We opt for the tube instead of taking a rickshaw in New Delhi When the Rusian guy we met on the train from Jaisalmer to Jodpur assured us that the main bazaar in New Delhi was 'nothing but mud', I was certain that I must have misheard him. Surely in this day and age an upcoming 'Superpower' like India can manage to tarmac the central street in the main backpapcker area in thier capital city? Of course they can't. It was made of the finest mud that together with all the detritus and rocks embedded within it, gave the street a hazardously uneven surface. What a place!
Our hotel (Rak International) was pretty good value and off the mud track and we soon grew very fond of the friendly porter that worked at the hotel but would sneakily ask us if we'd like him to get beer for us, only for him to reappear 20 mins later, producing 2 icy cold bottles of Kingfisher lager from down his trousers. We were also very close to Connaught Place which was the 'heart' of New Delhi and where all the Government Shopping Empoiums, restaurants and even the odd bar (TGI Friday's) were located. We spent a good few days exploring this area on foot.
Follow me into the light...
A statue in New Delhi depicts Ghandi leading ordinary people towards salvation While in New Delhi we managed to take in a couple of key attractions, including the Red Fort where I managed to pay the miniscule 'Indian national' entrance fee, saving us a few bob. The Fort itself wasn't that exciting unfortunately, or perhaps we've just got to the stage where they're all beginning to blend into each other...? We also saw the place where Ghandi was cremated and were humbled by visiting the house where he spent his last few months and where he was subsequently assassinated. We also paid a visit to India Gate, the mammoth memorial erected in remembrance of the country's wartime dead.
We actually really liked Delhi as a city- it was much cleaner and greener than any other city we'd seen in India (considering its size and status) with tree lined avenues, parks and recreation grounds a plenty. Notably the long, straight drive flanked by grass verges, trees and flowerbeds that connects India Gate to the Prime Minister's residence; Rajpath. It all felt quite 'English', but then I guess that's what 'the powers that were' intended when they awarded it capital status all those tears ago. The Metro system was also really impressive- very
Bizzare Bazaar
The Main Bazaar in Pahar-Ganj, New Delhi. Made of 100% mud modern, clean, efficient and good value, so we tried to use this as much as possible.
While in Delhi we even managed to meet up with Fabrizio, an Auusie friend we'd made while traveling around Fiji a few months prior. He was in India on business and was hopping between states with his partner Stephen. We had a great night out with them, pleased that we'd successfully managed to organise meeting up on the other side of the world.
After a few days of sightseeing and shopping around New Delhi we caught the super comfortable Shabatdi Express train, which deposited us a couple of hours later in Agra. As it was a whistle stop tour we wasted no time in organising an auto rickshaw driver for the day and set out to see Agra's sites; Baby Taj, Agra Fort, and of course, the Taj Mahal. Baby Taj and Agra Fort were nice enough, with impressive marble inlay work and intricate carvings adorning their walls, but words cannot do the Taj Mahal justice, so I'll leave it to the pictures (which in turn, pale in comparrison to the real thing). It was one of those 'heart skips a beat'
War Memorial
Detail of India Gate moments when we first caught a glimpse of the main mausoleum; something that will stay with us forever. It's the one place in India that truly lives up to (if not exceeds) all expectations. Quite simply, we were awe-struck. And the bonus was that once more, I managed to pay the measly 'Indian nationals' price instead of the hideously inflated tourist charges for entry to both the Taj and the Fort, saving us nearly 18 pounds, easily a day's budget in India.
Agra was as much of a dump as we'd suspected. Everyone told us that it was, but sometimes you have to see it and smell it for yourself. So, not wanting to stay there any longer than required we squeezed in a trip to Fatepur Sikri which was around 40kms out of Agra (and on the whole disappointing), before we caught the Shabatdi Express back to New Delhi, ready for our flight the following morning, down to Kerela.
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Neill Furmston
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Stunning!
Another one for my list of places to visit. here's another classic take on the taj... http://bit.ly/15Skyw