OK - Madam has a big pow wow in Delhi and because of the ignominy of leaving the TS A.I.D. recently, at the first opportunity she said come to Delhi.
What started off as a straight forward plan got changed very quickly by the powers that be. I had to make my own way there and sort myself out, with the hope that Madam is available in the evening. Of course this was to take place - on my birthday - yep readers - pseudo AID (Delhi).
So first impressions. Well the traffic stops at traffic lights and the police actually enforce the regulations. This was realised 20 mins after being collected with my driver straying into a pedestrian crossing area. He got a severe talking to with a potential ticket cum slap across the wrist.
No rickshaws are allowed on main roads; the tuk-tuks are minus the cage with characterful drivers; the traffic actually moves; there is space which meant it took forever to get anywhere and they are so scared at losing tourism, there is a policeman with a gun at every turn, or that's how it seems. Add to that a metro/tube/underground which is practically brand new and requires everyone to go through airport style security to just get into the station. The one big problem, the stops/stations are nowhere you want them to be resulting in between 2km - 5km walks to get to any sights in a 35-40C heat - great! So far I averaged 3 litres of water just during the day.
Day 1 was to visit India Gate, an amazing memorial to the fallen - closed. I found out after chatting to 3 Indians from Mumbai it was closed because of a demo (bit like Dhaka) due to a recent horrific issue involving a 5 year old. Next stop - the National Museum. In style of course, half the galleries were closed and no mention whatsoever of colonial rule. Add to that, the cafe, 'a fantastic haven for a refreshment' (so the guidebook says), hadn't seen the light of day for who knows how long. I assume it was open when the Commonwealth Games were on in 2010.
Then the highlight - the secretariat area Rajpath which was designed by Edward Lutyens and Herbet Baker when tasked to create New Delhi (done more triumphantly than the new town in Edinburgh. Dig dig - well I am a Glaswegian) - awesome. At least this has been left untouched with amazing use of space and avenues leading to central points. The day ended with a visit to Humayun's Tomb - something which the Indian Government is now starting to do up and look after. This was quite special. Of course no-where near any public transport, but worth the walk and the opportunity to sit in the gardens, rehydrate and see the splendour. Oh by the way - there are no eateries, coffee shops etc anywhere near any tourist attraction - be prepared!
Day 2 was troublesome. No ATM's worked, stroppy ticket person at the metro, a 3km hike to the Red Fort. Special and sad is the phrase. A place which in its hey dey must have been quite something. The British destroyed some of it and built the Victorian barracks in a colonial style (quite something) in there own way. The prob is, its been left to crumble and decay slowly. So much of the fort is overgrown, the fountains haven't seen water in a long time and this air of sadness hung over the place. In tourist terms, this is a jewel, but a travesty in the way it is being treated.
The next stop - look at Old Delhi - after some time, my sense of humour wained - this was a more spread out Old Dhaka. The next challenge was to find the Gandhi Museum - not straight forward. No where near any public transport. After a metro and tuk-tuk I was presented with a tired large house with even tireder (is that a word) curators never mind exhibits of Gandhi's life. For someone who is the true father of the nation, I wonder whether he is still revered as he was. Across from the museum was this marble edifice to where Gandhi was cremated at Rajghat. The only place I know where you have to remove your shoes to walk about it, and then have to pay to get your shoes back.
The next day was slower due to Madam having to work when she should have been chilling, not realising that nothings is where you want it, fighting your way through a queue to get a metro ticket, only then to fight your way on and off a train. However it did end with me getting my birthday tea at the Orient Express in the Taj Hotel - highly recommend it! An Orient Express dining carriage in the middle of the bar at the hotel. Weird and wonderful.
The highlight of the trip was visiting the Taj Mahal. It was agreed that a guided tour was essential for this bit. I am glad we did. For starters it was at least three and half hours a way driving on a new express way which no-one uses as sit is a toll road. Quite strange driving along with little other traffic on a four lane motorway passing by new cities and I do mean new cities being constructed. The TM itself was wonderful - a true wonder of the world and thankfully something the Indian government looks after. No we did not have the obligatory photo on the seat made famous by Princess Diana - there was a large queue and it was now over 40C. A quick tour round the Agra Fort to tick it off and then it was four hours back.
At least I can say I have seen Delhi - not sure if I would rush back unless it was for shopping and only for a quick trip. I do hope the Indian Government get their act together regarding their national treasures and tourism per se.
Hey ho - arriving back in Dhaka we were met by our driver accompanied with a police escort and close protection. Life was not straight forward and if nothing else brought us both back to reality.
What started off as a straight forward plan got changed very quickly by the powers that be. I had to make my own way there and sort myself out, with the hope that Madam is available in the evening. Of course this was to take place - on my birthday - yep readers - pseudo AID (Delhi).
So first impressions. Well the traffic stops at traffic lights and the police actually enforce the regulations. This was realised 20 mins after being collected with my driver straying into a pedestrian crossing area. He got a severe talking to with a potential ticket cum slap across the wrist.
No rickshaws are allowed on main roads; the tuk-tuks are minus the cage with characterful drivers; the traffic actually moves; there is space which meant it took forever to get anywhere and they are so scared at losing tourism, there is a policeman with a gun at every turn, or that's how it seems. Add to that a metro/tube/underground which is practically brand new and requires everyone to go through airport style security to just get into the station. The one big problem, the stops/stations are nowhere you want them to be resulting in between 2km - 5km walks to get to any sights in a 35-40C heat - great! So far I averaged 3 litres of water just during the day.
Day 1 was to visit India Gate, an amazing memorial to the fallen - closed. I found out after chatting to 3 Indians from Mumbai it was closed because of a demo (bit like Dhaka) due to a recent horrific issue involving a 5 year old. Next stop - the National Museum. In style of course, half the galleries were closed and no mention whatsoever of colonial rule. Add to that, the cafe, 'a fantastic haven for a refreshment' (so the guidebook says), hadn't seen the light of day for who knows how long. I assume it was open when the Commonwealth Games were on in 2010.
Then the highlight - the secretariat area Rajpath which was designed by Edward Lutyens and Herbet Baker when tasked to create New Delhi (done more triumphantly than the new town in Edinburgh. Dig dig - well I am a Glaswegian) - awesome. At least this has been left untouched with amazing use of space and avenues leading to central points. The day ended with a visit to Humayun's Tomb - something which the Indian Government is now starting to do up and look after. This was quite special. Of course no-where near any public transport, but worth the walk and the opportunity to sit in the gardens, rehydrate and see the splendour. Oh by the way - there are no eateries, coffee shops etc anywhere near any tourist attraction - be prepared!
The next stop - look at Old Delhi - after some time, my sense of humour wained - this was a more spread out Old Dhaka. The next challenge was to find the Gandhi Museum - not straight forward. No where near any public transport. After a metro and tuk-tuk I was presented with a tired large house with even tireder (is that a word) curators never mind exhibits of Gandhi's life. For someone who is the true father of the nation, I wonder whether he is still revered as he was. Across from the museum was this marble edifice to where Gandhi was cremated at Rajghat. The only place I know where you have to remove your shoes to walk about it, and then have to pay to get your shoes back.The next day was slower due to Madam having to work when she should have been chilling, not realising that nothings is where you want it, fighting your way through a queue to get a metro ticket, only then to fight your way on and off a train. However it did end with me getting my birthday tea at the Orient Express in the Taj Hotel - highly recommend it! An Orient Express dining carriage in the middle of the bar at the hotel. Weird and wonderful.
The highlight of the trip was visiting the Taj Mahal. It was agreed that a guided tour was essential for this bit. I am glad we did. For starters it was at least three and half hours a way driving on a new express way which no-one uses as sit is a toll road. Quite strange driving along with little other traffic on a four lane motorway passing by new cities and I do mean new cities being constructed. The TM itself was wonderful - a true wonder of the world and thankfully something the Indian government looks after. No we did not have the obligatory photo on the seat made famous by Princess Diana - there was a large queue and it was now over 40C. A quick tour round the Agra Fort to tick it off and then it was four hours back.At least I can say I have seen Delhi - not sure if I would rush back unless it was for shopping and only for a quick trip. I do hope the Indian Government get their act together regarding their national treasures and tourism per se.
Hey ho - arriving back in Dhaka we were met by our driver accompanied with a police escort and close protection. Life was not straight forward and if nothing else brought us both back to reality.