Our Kathmandu to Delhi trip concluded in the capital of India, Delhi. More on that in a moment.
Before Delhi, we were in Agra and saw the magnificent structure which is the Taj Mahal.
The group only had the afternoon to see it before it closed at Sunset, (and also on Fridays) so we made the most of our time there. Not only is the building a design and architectural dream, but the colourful visitors which it attracts was a sight to watch too, so during our final hour we sat at the centre of the site, near the famous bench where Princess Diana sat and just took in the view - and also saw the actor Gerard Butler or someone who was his twin. (Sources say that he is currently in India so...) People kept asking for photos with Chris and I, so there must be something we don't know.
The whistles of the guards herded us out of the place and to say there were persistent is an understatement. Any last minute photos were blocked by their hands or bodies. They would be the paparazzi's worst nightmare!
Before Delhi, we were in Agra and saw the magnificent structure which is the Taj Mahal.
The group only had the afternoon to see it before it closed at Sunset, (and also on Fridays) so we made the most of our time there. Not only is the building a design and architectural dream, but the colourful visitors which it attracts was a sight to watch too, so during our final hour we sat at the centre of the site, near the famous bench where Princess Diana sat and just took in the view - and also saw the actor Gerard Butler or someone who was his twin. (Sources say that he is currently in India so...) People kept asking for photos with Chris and I, so there must be something we don't know.
The whistles of the guards herded us out of the place and to say there were persistent is an understatement. Any last minute photos were blocked by their hands or bodies. They would be the paparazzi's worst nightmare!
We also visited the Red Fort which is another fantastic sight and certainly worth the visit, even for the additional views of the Taj. This place was built by the same man who built the Taj Mahal (King Shah Jahan), so you can imagine its splendour - even when his son imprisoned him there (for spending all the country's wealth)!
(picture of the prison!)
After our quick stop in Agra - and everyone was pleased it was so short as the hassles you get from the local storekeepers are horrible, we all boarded our train to Delhi.
Delhi is a place which has really surprised me. Not only is it not half as noisy and dusty as other places we've visited, but there’s a fantastic metro system which gives you a lovely air-conditioned journey all around the city.
On our final day, Chris and I joined Cori for a 'Culture Vulture' tour of Delhi - old and new.
We saw 5 religious temples and one impressed all of us immensely... the Sheik temple. This place (which I am sure other religions do too) cooks over 3,000 meals for anyone who comes to the place needing fed. No problems with what religion you are or what colour your skin is. It is open to anyone who needs it and is staffed by a mixture of volunteers and paid staff.
We had a cup of Chai and sat taking in humanity at its best. We also were impressed by the size of the pots and the mechanical chapatti machine! We also visited a Jainist temple and they had a 'bird hospital' attached, which looks after all the injured birds, including pigeons and seeing them with bandages on their wings rather than left to die. In such a large city (population is over 15 million), the caring side of others is visible when you are shown the non-tourist side of the fence
We saw 5 religious temples and one impressed all of us immensely... the Sheik temple. This place (which I am sure other religions do too) cooks over 3,000 meals for anyone who comes to the place needing fed. No problems with what religion you are or what colour your skin is. It is open to anyone who needs it and is staffed by a mixture of volunteers and paid staff.
We had a cup of Chai and sat taking in humanity at its best. We also were impressed by the size of the pots and the mechanical chapatti machine! We also visited a Jainist temple and they had a 'bird hospital' attached, which looks after all the injured birds, including pigeons and seeing them with bandages on their wings rather than left to die. In such a large city (population is over 15 million), the caring side of others is visible when you are shown the non-tourist side of the fence
We had a walk through the spice market, and wearing sunglasses was a must with chilli powder blowing through the air, you certainly came out 'breathing more easily'!!!
Tonight we leave India and head to Thailand. I have mixed feelings about what I have seen in this country, but one thing I will not miss is the intense heat - mid 40's just gets unbearable and it's only starting to become summer!
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