Delhi

So what happened in Delhi? Well we decided to sign up for a tour of Rajistan with a driver, this would allow us to see much more, get acclimatised and have a bit more of a holiday to start off with. It would also allow us to spend much more money! As part of the deal, which we made with Rahim , who was attached to the hostel "Ringo" we got our driver, Raj, to drive us around Delhi for a couple of days.

The first image here is the India gate which we saw on the first day. Not much to say about that other than it's a big gate with the names of war dead on it. Here we had one of our first experiences of hassle when some teachers gave us little paper flag and then demanded money for there school in return. Unfortunately you have to learn to ignore/refuse everyone who approaches you.

Later that day we went to the Gandhi museum in a house where he used to live, in fact the house where he was assassinated. These footprints are meant to trace out his last walk.

Also that day we went to Hanyuman's tomb. The first photo here is from one of the lesser tombs outside the main tomb of the man himself. Then there is Sarah outside the main tomb, which is made of white marble and red sandstone. On this day we also visited a big Hindu temple, which I found quite a lively place compared to most religious buildings still in use. It was also just after a bit of a downpour so it was fun to walk on the wet stone. It was built in very tasteful red and yellow stone with some carved animals. No photos allowed though!

On out second day in Delhi we first headed North to the old town. Here was the central mosque. We had to take a cycle rickshaw and then walk due to the narrow streets. The area we walked through pretty unpleasant really, but we found our way in and climbed the minaret tower for great views over a foggy and chaotic Delhi (see the photo which was taken towards the Red Fort). Women were not allowed up the tower on there own, so I gallantly accompanied Sarah up. Then we would have gone to the fort itself, but apparently it was closed for miliary reasons. We approached the front to take a photo or two, and it didn't really look as impressive as the forts we saw later in Rajistan. We were the taken by our driver for an obligatory trip to the government tourist shop. Some nice craftwork, but not particularly cheap and not what we're here to see! Next up was another Gandhi museum, again in a building where he'd lived. We then went to the lotus temple, built by the Bahai faith, a fairly wishy-washy religion which seeks to unify all religions and invites anyone to worship there. I found it a bit dull and uninspiring inside, but Sarah liked it!

Finally that afternoon we were dropped at the National Museum. Which had a lot of good stuff, and pretty informative audiotour. Some of the early harappan statues were the best bit for me. In the evening we went for a wander into the centre of Connaught place. This is a Raj era area in which we were staying, with seven streets radiating out from a central plaza with various rings along the way. This is a pretty posh prt of town, with expensive sports shops in the centre where the customers must have their bags searched by security on the way in or out so they don't steal the latest Nikes. Then back to Ringo prepare for heading off to Rajistan early the next day.