India: The Golden Triangle and Beyond - 2/6 Dehli

Dehli – let the tour begin

After the flight from Goa to Dehli we were met at the wonderful Dehli Airport by the equally wonderful driver (best driver in India we reckon) Anand Singh. He and his air cond people carrier were ours for the next seven days.

The first guide told us that you only needed three things to be able to drive in India – good brakes, good horn and good luck - many a true word..! The rules of the road seem relatively simple – see a gap (anywhere), sound your horn n go for it, but simultaneously so will several other motor scooters, tuk-tuks, cars, buses, tractors and assorted vehicles; but you must also avoid the stray cows, wild boar and dogs that jay walk the streets. All very exciting.

The Delhi hotel was well secreted and took much finding in the congestion. The following morning saw us in a couple of rickshaws – Marion with our guide, Marilyn n me pulling up the rear. These guys really earn their living. Don’t think any of us will forget the spice market, not just for its colours and scents.

but they were sweeping copious lees in the entrance with wicker brooms the dust clogged every part of you nostrils and left all in its wake coughing n spluttering for some time after!

Back on the open tourist trail there was a calm interlude at the Jauna Mosque. This mosque was constructed by Jauna Shah Khan Jahan, who was Firuz Shah's prime minister. He had seven mosques constructed in Delhi.

 



Then on to the India Gate – Delhi’s equally impressive ‘Menin Gate’. Of the many hawkers Marion succumbed to the whistle sellers charms and added to her growing collection of instruments.

 

Next on the itinerary was the Lotus Temple of the Bahá'í faith. A seriously impressive marble built edifice in the shape of a giant lotus blossom. You can be Bahá'í whilst also being a follower of any other faith or religion.

 



Circumnavigated the Qutub Minar Turkish Tower we wend our way back to the hotel. . After a break we set off on foot to explore the immediate surroundings then off to the local bar (not too many of these in India) for another well earned Kingfisher and a toddy.