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.

India: The Golden Triangle and Beyond - 5/6 Jaipur

Jaipur

After a late breakfast it was off to the pink city of Jaipur and a stay at the wonderful Dera Rawastar – luxury. There was an option of a Bollywood blockbuster but we were sore in need of a rest.

Another day, another guide starting in the old city then off to the Howa Mahal, Jaipur's most distinctive landmark, an extraordinary pink-painted delicately honeycombed hive that rises a dizzying five storeys. It was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city.

Some entered the Amer Fort on elephant, some chickened out and rode the car up the very steep and winding road to the top of the massive hill fort. It is known for its blend of Rajput and Hindu style of architecture and mixture of Hindu and Muslim style of ornamentation. There are a series of gates in the fort and each one has a unique structure and architectural elements.

Some smaller local temples on the way have a Mayan look. Learned later that the Mayan architectural influence was brought over by the early Buddhists.

Parking next by the Golden Fort (not open to the public) opposite was a camel station that had to be tried out.

 


Back via the Jantar - Mantar Observatory

Jantar mantar in Delhi is one of the five observatories built in 1724 by the Maharaja of Jaipur - Sawai Jai Singh II for the pursuit of scientific knowledge. The Jantar Mantar was built to trace the astronomical phenomena and to ascertain scientific data.

The sun dial is a huge structure in yellow with a 27m long arm placed at an angle of 27 degrees. The sun dial calculates the time of a day accurately. There are two pillars that record the longest and shortest day in the year. This instrument is known as the ‘Mishra Yantra' the other instruments are used to trace astronomical phenomena from other planets and stars.

As the Golden Triangle Tour drew to a close it was time for the long haul back up to Dehli for the plane to Mumbai where we had booked a hotel for a couple of days before we made our respective ways home. Where did the time go ?? So many thanks to Anand our driver and Gopal who organised the tour – thoroughly recommend both if your ever heading that way.