Exploring Delhi.
What a day Kim and I had! Considering our tight time schedule we only had two days in Delhi so we had a plan, and we executed it well. What a fantastically productive day! Smiles all round. After breakfast on our gorgeous roof top we hailed a tuc tuc to place of interest no. 1 Hamayun’s Tomb. Suitably more encapsulated by Isa Khan’s Tomb which sat ruined in its gorgeous surroundings, proud in the morning sunshine, we wandered. The walled gardened tomb sat amongst tall poker straight palms and well kept lawns. Next to Hamayun’s Tomb. Reminiscent of the Taj Mahal but 20 years it predecessor named Dormitory of the Moguls with over 100 tombs. Fantastic lattice work, black and white marble and red stone.
Next stop, by auto rick shaw to the Lotus shaped Bahi i’s place of worship, further into South Delhi. A religion I had never heard of before. A faith that wishes to unite all religions, one God for all. The well labelled and designed information center explained how this faith has spread all over the world and now has millions of devoted followers, India being home to over 2 million. The beautiful Lotus shaped house of worship ( as it is known) was again set in fantastically well maintained gardens. Standing intriguingly pure and exotic. A lotus, often found in stagnant water, symbolises how everyone is born pure. So Baha ism (!? can I say that!?) encourages full acceptance of everyone, irrespective of caste, sex, class, religion. It has wonderful ideas and is a calm place where anybody can go, worship, think, meditate.
After a few problems, a snappy argument with our rick shaw driver who had decided to take us somewhere different (and out of our way!!), change of rick shaw and some haphazard driving we zipped across town to the South Extension. This doughnut shaped shopping mall, according to the guide book is where the more affluent Delhi ites hang out. It was a bizarre mix of Marks and Spencers, Next, Reebok and a handful of other slightly unpopular western stores. Reminded me of being in Mauritius ( as did much of New Delhi) We took advantage of the subway and sat in the sun and enjoyed a tuna and cheese sandwich, electric orange fanta and after a Mc Donalds ice cream, which I have to admit was absolutely delicious. Whipped ice cream, a waffle cone and hot chocolate sauce..mmmmm delicious!! Then we strolled to another shopping area, everyone slightly more westernized, jeans, straightened hair, sharp suits. This is where trendy Indian’s shop, but much of the same. Seen one shop evidently seen them all, so we dived into a Barista for a recharge and chill out a/c style. The menu in this place was mouthwatering and this was only the drinks. Frappes made with ice cream, milk, caramel, chocolate brownies, hazelnut fudge sauce….how we resisted I simply do not know, but resist we did, ordering two black coffees, one hot one cold. Once fired up with caffeine we caught another rick shaw to the National Museum of Modern Art. I was excited to see some contemporary Indian art and more so when we only had to pay Rs10 instead of the noted Rs250 (due to there being renovation in progress). Where else in the world would you visit a capital city, a National art gallery and find yourself wandering around dodging paint cans and avoiding rooms that are being re painted? Indescribably India. From a curatorial perspective, the exhibitions were poorly labelled, organized and hung. Ill fitting frames, too big, too small too wonky. But it felt nice being among art. The collection seemed to range from 18th century right through to the 21st with no clear borders. I saw some gorgeous late 19th century oil paintings, some of my favourite miniature paintings (which I must buy some prints of), some almost Brit art 1930’s stuff and then some contemporary pieces. Bizarre considering there were only about 100 pieces in the entire gallery. Not disappointed per se, just left feeling a little under stimulated.
Walking to our next port of call no 5 on the itinerary, a shopping area popular with ex pats. We passed a really posh hotel and momentarily considered splashing out on a glass of wine. Luckily for our budget this feeling did not last long and we moved on….This next area housed lots of gorgeous interior design shops, a pet shop, and lots of ’supermarkets’ selling everything the home sick ex pat would want; from bachelors cuppa soup to Branston pickle to those chinese style rice crackers (which I wish I had bought). The shop fronts were swarming with men trying to catch a glimpse of the cricket showing in opticians and any shop with a t.v ha! funny. Still in need of a drink (remember Rishikesh you cannot buy alcohol, and we were there a week) we headed back to Connaught Place, New Delhi. We wandered across the central gardens, where families, lovey dovey couples and groups of friends grazed. It felt like a English summer evening, giving me flash backs to evenings in Brighton, no worries, just chilling and enjoying the warm weather. Found a funky little dimly lit bar and downed, sorry I mean sipped two Gin and Tonics….mmmm deeeeliiiccciousssss….
As the evening slowly descended upon us we thought best to head back to Pahraganj. this time opting for a cycle rick shaw. Hungry and a little tipsy we made a way to a restaurant that advertised Thai red curry, which kim ordered and mushroom curry and butter chipatis for me. Cheap, filling and scrummy! Perfect to make sure we made it through the night on our next over night train. We grabbed our bags from our hotel picked up a few scarfs from the market and walked to Delhi train station. Sad to leave Delhi but excited about Varanasi, we took sleeper class, which is cheaper, more crowded but comfortable. We could have stayed a lot longer, and would recommend it to anyone. Kim and I really enjoyed our brief visit and would definitely come again.
Now in Varanasi, currently indescribable (as I have been sat at this computer far too long)……..moving onto Nepal tonight! Time for breakfast I think so I better go and wake Kim!
