Stunned at New Delhi

The flight from Srinagar to New Delhi took around 2 hours 30 minutes with one stop at Jammu airport. I only remembered that we slept during the entire flight (except for snack time), as if we were back from a strenuous activity in Kashmir. And by the way, we took the Air India flight. The flight attendants were not like the other airlines flight attendants. They didn't have to put on heavy make-up, didn't have to be slim and slender, but they must know how to take control of the passengers. I heard someone has been saying that Air India flight attendants are strict. Well, I could see that pretty clearly.

Once we arrived New Delhi airport, we were picked up by our tour guide cum driver. While writing this, I cannot recall his name and still struggling to remember his name. Will probably mention his name when my travel buddy responded to my FB message. The only thing that I remember is he worked for Mr. Hari Mangal, who owns a travel agent somewhere in New Delhi. We booked a trip for 10 days, starting from New Delhi, around Rajasthan area, ending at Mathura Junction rail station near Agra.

Initially, we thought of staying at Paharganj because the hotels there are cheap. But our guide seemed to be worried as the place was not a good place, and not safe for female travellers. Later, my buddy's contact in New Delhi, who happened to be the ambassador (military DA), called her up and insisted that we put up a night (2 nights actually) at his house. It was such a great relieve as we didn't have to worry about safety at all. Uncle Zul and his wife were the nicest people I have ever met. Aunty was really a chatty and humble type. At least I didn't feel awkward staying at their house. After a long day, we finally unpacked and did the laundry and reorganizing our stuffs.

We have prepared for another exciting day tomorrow, tour around New Delhi.

At 8.30 pm, our tour guide came and picked us up from uncle Zul's house. Our first attraction was Qutb Minar, which has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entrance fee is Rps 250. Mind that entrance fees are applied to most of the attractions in India. 

     Some description about Qutb Minar, worth reading.

It was really a hot day and the scorching heat was almost ruining my mood. Clearly I have persistent problem with surrounding temperature. To top up with it, I did not apply any sunblock to protect my skin from the violent sun ray. As not to spoil the day, I decided ti bear with it and take all of it. I've been wishing to visit the great heritage sites im India so I should not regret it in whatever means. Oh!! Do not ever wear black shirts,skirts,scarves etc. It only worsen the heaty day. Admission if Rps 250. Note that all of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (covered in our trip) has an entrance fee of Rps 250. So you do the math.

A must have picture for every heritage site visited

The minaret with Islamic calligraphy carvings on it

Close up of the beautiful Arabic calligraphy carvings

Remnants of a building which is full of fine carvings of calligraphy

Fine carvings and I loved it so much.

This place all for these two

After admiring the beautiful Qutb Minar, we moved to other interesting place which impressed us a lot, the Baha'i Lotus Temple. It is an amazing place and I really love to see this building. We didn't get in to the temple because of the time limitation, and we were lazy enough to walk further from the point where we took pictures. Admission in free.

In less than 20 minutes, we return to our car and Mr. Gyan brought to Humaiyuin's Tomb, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in New Delhi. It is a huge building and built for Humaiyun, the Mughal Emperor in India. If Taj Mahal was built by the husband to reminisce his loved wife, then this tomb is vice versa. 

After checking out Humayun's Tomb in a really hot summer sun, it was time to replenish some energy. So we were brought to the Hot Chimney restaurant. We have no idea and have not heard about this so we've just given it a try. We ordered chappati and paneer, 2 different panners, and OMG!!!! The food was amazing. Since then, I keep on ordering panner (paneer is actually cubed cottage cheese cooked in various types gravies) whenever I have meals in India. The prices of the food in this restaurant are considered cheap too. 

The delicious chappati (a bit oily, but i don't care) and the paneer

After lunch, we went to Gandhi Smiriti, a museum that celebrates Mahatma Gandhi's life and a good place to get oneself filled with knowledge in history. Personally, I am admiring Mahatma Gandhi for the sacrifices he made and the modest life he went through while fighting the poor and needy. Reading the articles about Mahatma Gandhi did shed me into tears several times without my buddy knowing about it. Actully there is another place which I wanted so badly to go. It was the 'Salt March', represented by statues of Mohandan Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) with other Indians in the nonviolent protests against the British salt monopoly. The statues were somewhere at Connaught Place. I saw the statues from the car but it was too late to ask Mr. Gyan to stop for awhile.

The face that I will always admire

After an informative and emotional visit to Gandhi Smiriti, we went to another point of interest, Red Fort. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site which is very much impressive. Interestingly, there were many Indians visiting this place, like other point of interests we have visited before, indicating that Indians do appreciate their heritages. Kind and adults, young and old, everyone seems to take the advantage for the 20 more times cheaper entrance fee for locals. And it was during weekday, not weekend. But it was a little disappointing to see the used tickets scattered all over the places. Perhaps, they could use the rubbish bin, or temporarily keep them in the pocket.

Red Fort has several entrances but the main and the only entrance opened is via the Lahore Gate. After passing the gate, we passed through a line of shops selling various souvenir items. Some of them are cheap, some are not. Of course we were eyeing on the fridge magnets but the good quality one seemed to be overpriced. We were not in mood to haggle and both of us grabbed one or two magnets. Other items which were eye-catching like the beaded bags, models of Taj Mahals and other prominent landmarks, bangles and others.

Lahore Gate

Must have in my collection

One of the halls

Diwan-i Khas

Chipmunk. Lots of them

Last but not least, we visited Raj Ghat. This is the place where Mahatma Gandhi was buried and Indians regard this place as a sacred place. My respect for Mahatma Gandhi is the reason why I don't mind to be here. Just hope that no one will try to create any sort of issue when it comes to paying respect to the dead of the other religion. Sighhhhh.....

Raj Ghat

It was really a tiring day in Delhi. Seriously, we need at least 3 days to spend here as there are other places which I wanted to visit such as the Jama' Masjid, the colourful markets in Delhi and several other interesting religious sites. Well, there is always reasons to return to Delhi, only when time and financially permitting.

The next day is going to be the start of the trip to explore Rajasthan. Looking forward into it.