OK, I haven't done this in a long time so bear with me.
We spoke to several locals about our plans to head north, but each was followed up by a disconcerting shaking of the head, advising us against it because the monsoon had come late and the Himalayas at this time would be very wet and not much fun. So we decided to make a last minute change to our itinerary, Spending a good 2 tedious hours of the morning in a tourism office, sipping chai tea, we decided to forgo the north and booked everything we needed to head straight off to Rajasthan. It was impossible to book any trains we wanted at the last minute because they were all full, so the only option left was to get a chauffeur to drive us around the desert in a car. At first this seemed a pretty unusual option (and not very "backpacker") but it seems it's a quite popular way of seeing the area and turned out to be pretty good value too. plus we will be able to see much more this way and be far more flexible. We've also managed to get our 2 day camel safari in Jaisalmer sorted along with an elephant safari at Jodhpur. So a lot to look forward too! We leave at 7.30 am for Bikaner tomorrow morning.
Finally, the rain stopped and so we spent the afternoon viewing the sights of the city including Huyaman's Tomb, The Ghandi Museum, The Parliament Buildings, and the big Arch.
We also had our first taste of dahl for lunch. Spicy!
We didn't get your e-mails in time to investigate further, it would have been nice to try Moheed, a little annoyed that we didn't, but we're booked. We took a break and discussed it and asked all the questions we possible could we were in there quite a while! We took Jo's advice about asking lots of people, not just one, and they all said the same thing this morning, North not much point, very wet, and mud slides! And also that we'd be lucky to meet our itinerary and get out of Bangalore. It was easy to believe when we showed up and the place was misty stormy and muddy, wet, but the day turned quite hot and dry later on. So hard to tell whether we're being duped or helped! But we feel pretty confident it's a good plan, our driver showed us the sights around Delhi today, and was very friendly and helpful.
Its now coming to the end of our first day in India. The plane journey wasn't bad and getting from the airport to our Guest House turned out to be unexpectedly hassle free.
OK, so we arrived at half six in the morning. The great thing about Delhi is that it has truly fulfilled all the expectations I had of it. It's intense, hot, steamy and smelly, especially in the slum that is Paharanj where were staying. The roads are a mishmash of dirt and concrete, muddy pot-holed and very busy. Crowding the streets are a range of interesting looking characters, backpackers (though few in number compared to the locals) sellers, rickshaw drivers, cows (that seem to roam the city on their own accord, strutting their stuff on the city roads with the mass of traffic), dogs, beggars and touts. It's funny how it all brings back memories of Bangkok... but Delhi seems poorer and dirtier but also less polluted and smaller with few buildings over 3 stories. Everything seems to taker place on the streets and life moves at an alarmingly fast pace but strangely nothing seems to get done... One thing is for certain, were definitely not in England anymore.
We spoke to several locals about our plans to head north, but each was followed up by a disconcerting shaking of the head, advising us against it because the monsoon had come late and the Himalayas at this time would be very wet and not much fun. So we decided to make a last minute change to our itinerary, Spending a good 2 tedious hours of the morning in a tourism office, sipping chai tea, we decided to forgo the north and booked everything we needed to head straight off to Rajasthan. It was impossible to book any trains we wanted at the last minute because they were all full, so the only option left was to get a chauffeur to drive us around the desert in a car. At first this seemed a pretty unusual option (and not very "backpacker") but it seems it's a quite popular way of seeing the area and turned out to be pretty good value too. plus we will be able to see much more this way and be far more flexible. We've also managed to get our 2 day camel safari in Jaisalmer sorted along with an elephant safari at Jodhpur. So a lot to look forward too! We leave at 7.30 am for Bikaner tomorrow morning.Finally, the rain stopped and so we spent the afternoon viewing the sights of the city including Huyaman's Tomb, The Ghandi Museum, The Parliament Buildings, and the big Arch.
We also had our first taste of dahl for lunch. Spicy!
The hotel is far from smiley, more like a prison cell with a noisy ceiling fan. But it has two beds, so I'm satisfied.
Nick:
Nick:
Hey guys, finally back at our Hostel, absolutely shattered.
We didn't get your e-mails in time to investigate further, it would have been nice to try Moheed, a little annoyed that we didn't, but we're booked. We took a break and discussed it and asked all the questions we possible could we were in there quite a while! We took Jo's advice about asking lots of people, not just one, and they all said the same thing this morning, North not much point, very wet, and mud slides! And also that we'd be lucky to meet our itinerary and get out of Bangalore. It was easy to believe when we showed up and the place was misty stormy and muddy, wet, but the day turned quite hot and dry later on. So hard to tell whether we're being duped or helped! But we feel pretty confident it's a good plan, our driver showed us the sights around Delhi today, and was very friendly and helpful.We arrived off the airplane to rain, and saw egrets on the runway. and also geckos outside! We pulled in to our hotel after swerving Cows, and whatnot, our street is very busy, muddy and though full of backpackers, not the cleanest area of Delhi... This place is fairly tough so far! A beggar girl climbed on to our auto rickshaw as it was pulling away and clung on until she had to let go. It's pretty heart breaking to take it all in!
After discussing plans at the travel agency, we took a cab round to Hamayut's Tomb, which was very beautiful, and being circled by possibly vultures, but looked more like black kites/buzzards? Will have to look up. We also got dropped at the Gandhi museum which was interesting, but we were waaaaay to hot and tired for. Chipmunk like things everywhere...(turned out to be Indian palm squirrels.)
After discussing plans at the travel agency, we took a cab round to Hamayut's Tomb, which was very beautiful, and being circled by possibly vultures, but looked more like black kites/buzzards? Will have to look up. We also got dropped at the Gandhi museum which was interesting, but we were waaaaay to hot and tired for. Chipmunk like things everywhere...(turned out to be Indian palm squirrels.)
No comments:
Post a Comment