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Our SE Asia Tour 2013
Early start for Cheryl and Rosie (flight at 08:40) while Clive and his party left a bit later (flight at 10:15). Transfer worked OK and check in was smooth and we were soon settled in the Thai Airways lounge.
Boarded a bit late and were also delayed on the tarmac so we were 40 minutes late into Delhi.
Met by our tour representative in Delhi with driver and were soon into Delhi's chaotic traffic to the hotel. After our briefing I knocked on Roger's door (friend from England who was also on holiday in India).
We were booked on a the Old Delhi Bazaar Walk & Haveli Visit with Dhruv, a resident of the area, which would take us through the Chandni Chowk area before ending up at his house which was one of Delhi's Haveli's (a private mansion home, with historical and architectural significance).
We were to meet at the Chawri Bazaar metro station at 4:30 pm and the hotel advised us to take a tuk tuk. Being our first ride in a tuk tuk it was a slightly hair-raising experience but great fun. Rosie sat in the middle whilst Roger and I squeezed in with a bottom cheek hanging out at either side - the tuk tuks being built for 2 foreigners comfortably (3 at a pinch), but probably 15 locals hanging out in all directions. We arrived early and stood around attracting much curiosity, of course, and enjoyed watching the passing people and traffic. Roger was approached by a passing ear cleaner who offered to attack his ears whilst we waited - he declined!!
Our guide, Dhruv, finally found us as we were waiting at the wrong entrance to the metro stations. We were also joined by a young Dutch couple and soon plunged into the bazaar area led by Dhruv who was an excellent guide and we proceeded to poke into all the stalls and shops asking questions. On his assurance that none of his clients had ever got sick, we sampled Katchoris, fresh Lassi in clay glasses, gulab jamuns, ras malai and a few other savoury snacks at a well chosen shop. We visited a glass bangle stall (and came away with 2 boxes of bangles each, courtesy of Dhruv) before going up the stairs to their roof to enjoy Delhi's sunset. We were able to observe people and children on the surrounding roofs flying their kites or just enjoying the breeze. All of us had a go at kite flying as well.
Ended up at Dhruv's "haveli" house for a tour of the house followed by a delicious vegetarian dinner. Returned to the hotel again by tuk tuk which was even more "exciting" as it was now dark and the traffic seemed worse.
Not bad for our first day in India. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour which can be booked directly via Dhruv's web site: http://www.masterjikeehaveli.com
Boarded a bit late and were also delayed on the tarmac so we were 40 minutes late into Delhi.
Met by our tour representative in Delhi with driver and were soon into Delhi's chaotic traffic to the hotel. After our briefing I knocked on Roger's door (friend from England who was also on holiday in India).
We were booked on a the Old Delhi Bazaar Walk & Haveli Visit with Dhruv, a resident of the area, which would take us through the Chandni Chowk area before ending up at his house which was one of Delhi's Haveli's (a private mansion home, with historical and architectural significance).
We were to meet at the Chawri Bazaar metro station at 4:30 pm and the hotel advised us to take a tuk tuk. Being our first ride in a tuk tuk it was a slightly hair-raising experience but great fun. Rosie sat in the middle whilst Roger and I squeezed in with a bottom cheek hanging out at either side - the tuk tuks being built for 2 foreigners comfortably (3 at a pinch), but probably 15 locals hanging out in all directions. We arrived early and stood around attracting much curiosity, of course, and enjoyed watching the passing people and traffic. Roger was approached by a passing ear cleaner who offered to attack his ears whilst we waited - he declined!!
Our guide, Dhruv, finally found us as we were waiting at the wrong entrance to the metro stations. We were also joined by a young Dutch couple and soon plunged into the bazaar area led by Dhruv who was an excellent guide and we proceeded to poke into all the stalls and shops asking questions. On his assurance that none of his clients had ever got sick, we sampled Katchoris, fresh Lassi in clay glasses, gulab jamuns, ras malai and a few other savoury snacks at a well chosen shop. We visited a glass bangle stall (and came away with 2 boxes of bangles each, courtesy of Dhruv) before going up the stairs to their roof to enjoy Delhi's sunset. We were able to observe people and children on the surrounding roofs flying their kites or just enjoying the breeze. All of us had a go at kite flying as well.
Ended up at Dhruv's "haveli" house for a tour of the house followed by a delicious vegetarian dinner. Returned to the hotel again by tuk tuk which was even more "exciting" as it was now dark and the traffic seemed worse.
Not bad for our first day in India. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour which can be booked directly via Dhruv's web site: http://www.masterjikeehaveli.com
- comments
Tony Brown SHOCKING is all I can say.
mike You know you are on holidays when an 8.40am flight is an "early start". Good to see you are both having fun. Regards Mike