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Two idiots abroad!
Our adventure begins in New Delhi, India:
After an 8 hour plane journey, no sleep, curry at 12.30 am and one crazy breakfast we arrived. Airport was surprisingly nice, considering the tales about Delhi. Managed to get a taxi, after being hassled from all corners. Driver informed us that there is currently a swine flu outbreak in Delhi and advised we go to the nearest place to purchase a mask and some medication. The drive was crazy, never seen so many tuk tuk's, cars, cows and buses, on one road, with no order at all! The drivers words were, 'in Delhi, you need three things, good horn, good breaks and good luck!' We survived.
Further into the journey he informed us that the street in which our hotel is located was blocked off due to the area being most affected by the outbreak. Panic set in! Unbeknown to us, this was the beginning of a very cunning plan. We arrived at a 'tourist agency!' Very friendly and helpful, and due to being very tired and having no idea what we were meant to do, when informed that our hotel was closed, agreed to a ten day trip around India, paying over the odds. But we had a plan, which was very comforting! If only we had read, lonely planet, scam section, we would have not had this issue. Only positive is 3 nights in Delhi, now one.
We arrived at our first hotel. Not what we expected for the money, dirty and full of young men in the reception... Little intimidating. Within the first hour, james nearly electrocuted himself, flooded the bathroom, killed our first mosquito and ordered room service which was not good! Decided to take a stroll around outside. One word, chaos! We lasted only 20 minutes, during this 20 minutes we saw dead dogs, possibly a dead man on road not moving, mounds of rubbish, more rubbish, and no other tourists! First impressions... Get me out of here!!!
Agra here we come; goodbye Delhi, phew:
Taxi ride took just over 3 hours, most of which consisted of motorways and lots of tolls. Driver informed us that not many Indians drive the roads, due to the cost. A short while into the journey and on the motorway, two men sat on the top of two elephants, decide to cross the congested road, with no bother at all. One of the craziest sights I've ever seen! Driver pointed, ' look elephants' and that was it, just a normal day in India. The journey was also a chance to see the countryside, many farms and huts where the locals live, making bricks for a living. We stopped in the services, called 'highway masala' ha, to stock up on snacks, Pringles and coke...very Indian.
Soon we arrived back into chaos, stopping off for a curry... James loved it, me on the other hand, still hadn't got my appetite back from the flight, and did not enjoy! On approaching Agra we passed our first slum area, very sad. Children walking round with very little clothing, no shoes, mounds of rubbish, and the smell will never leave us. You haven't seen poverty until you have seen this. The closer to our hotel the better it got, a little nicer than Delhi, however still chaotic, dirty, lots of cows in the road, which again was totally normal.
The plan for they day, a visit to the Taj Mahal, suggested by our driver. Before admiring one of the 7 wonders of the world, james decides to have a hair cut. Two choices: £6.50 in a shop or 80p in the street. No question as to which he chose, photos to follow. For 80p he got a Great cut, army style as they called it, which also included a massage. Knocks spots off Thomas Lloyd barbering... Only joking Lloyd (aka Rhod). Ok, so the Taj Mahal, very cool, beautiful place, even stayed to watch the sunset. Almost sure we were the only westerners to visit, after being stopped by Indian people constantly for photos with us. James loved it!
First Indian train...what an experience:
Ok so we get to the station at 7am for a 7.30am train. It arrived at 10.30am. Normal for delays, we were told. Sat and watched monkeys swing around the station, pinching food, and got followed by stray dogs. Got on train, having no idea where we were to sit, landed up in the lowest class, although we had paid for much higher. After an hour or so, I spotted mice running across the floor and cockroaches climb the wall. We were surprisingly calm and decided to remain there for the entire journey, being stared at by the locals all the way. The sights along the way were unreal, village after village, where children and adults were using the railway edge as a toilet, not a pretty sight, however parts were beautiful.
And then.....thinking we were approaching the station in which we were suppose to leave , james consulted his I phone map, telling me we are not there yet. To realise 20 minutes later that we missed our stop, the next one being 2 hours away!! Epic fail. We could have cried. Luckily we were heading to Jaipur in two days time, being the next stop. Therefore missed two days in national park! Fortunately we went straight to the hotel we had planned to stay at in 2 days time and managed to change the booking. And breathe.. Hotel was lovely too!
Little less disappointed that we fell for a scam in Delhi when overheard a couple from England telling another tourist about also being had (by the same company who informed them that there were protests in Delhi, no mention of swine flu!) Turns out it's pretty common, glad we are not the only naive, first time backpacking idiots. Just fortunate we paid a lot less too. They gave us good advice having been here for a week, we swopped facebook details and agreed to meet in Mumbai, if we ever get there!
Jaipur time!!: aka the pink city:
With 4 days to spare, we planned to see as much as possible. This started with meeting a young lad who took us to the local market, which ended up with us being at his house for 'chai (Indian tea) meeting his mother, father, sister and other family members. Probably not a good idea, but we survived to tell the tale and learnt lots about their culture. They were fasting for 9 days and talked us through the different meaning for each day of fast and how he would sit awake through the night between 9 & 5am praying whilst counting the beads on his necklace. We bought a painting, part of the deal I suppose and got invited to a family wedding the day after...which we didn't attend, as a little untrusting!
We visited bazar upon bazar, being hassled shop after shop, seen more elephants walking the roads, and met with 'mr handsome' tuk tuk driver, which is what he called himself. Was very funny. He gave us a tour of he city, seeing a temple, where hundreds were praying and worshiping their god, interesting to see and also visited a textile and gem stone factory, not so interesting! Tried street food, this being a banana and a strange pasty type snack, very spicy. The tour ended up in KFC, don't think 'mr handsome' was happy, but I was...a long but good day!
Hope you enjoy reading, I'm sure there is many more stories to come as only on day 4!
1st wedding anniversary tomorrow (writing this on the 27th). Anyway we are fine, for those of you that may be worrying!
Over and out, much love Roanna & James xxx
- comments
Mother dear Sounds amazing Hun can't wait for the next blog xxxxxx luv the photos too xxxxxxxxx
Karen Omg sounds a mad couple of days but fab to read about. Can't wait for the next chapter Keep safe auntie Karen xx
Favourite Aunty Linda I shall definitely drink a Large Glass of Wine before my next read
Favourite Aunty Linda Only half my message appeared are we limited on amount words ??? Take Care Both Yikes xxx You could get a job as a reporter great effort on the Blog
The Yoxen's Can't believe what you both experienced in the first four days!! Can't wait for the next instalment :) Lots of love Leanne, Gareth & Jacob xxx
Sharon & Tony ( AKA martin) Very entertaining story! . As I told you both on Saturday the swine flu epidemic is actually true, so you did the right thing in getting out ASAP. keep enjoying! keep safe. Hope to chat again soon xxxxx
Number 1 sister Loving it! I think the craziness suits you guys! Very impressed you have clean new clothes on every day - have you worn everything already?! Keep the stories coming. Love us xx
Lindsay Witcomb Sounds like you having a hair raising experience
Dean Beef Hahaha it hasnt changed a bit by the sounds!!! You will be travel hardened pretty quickly by the sounds. Have a blast guys.....oh and if you are in Mumbai check out a little place called Not Just Jazz By The Bay (or something similar).....nice little place Grant got us chucked out of
Spencer Brill guys
Woodsy Amazing guys, look forward to reading more!! Hayley & Jacky xxxx
Gem& Craig Sounds brilliant both. Look forward to hearing more love Gem, Craig & Eva xxx
Hayley We giggled all the way through! What an adventure all ready!! Can't wait to read the next part!! Fab photos too!! Stay safe, lots of love, Hayley, mike and Lois xx
Pat& Neil Mixture of craziness and fun , keep safe and keep enjoying , it's something you will never forge xxxx
Dafydd Excellent stories!
Andrew lee Vely interesting that yoo happy vondering velsh peoples go to India normally Indians come to vales to visit us and live in doctors surgery so also in the shop on the corner of the street vhy too do things backwards very strange but also good luck maybe you look in corner shop in Mumbai, maybe yanto,or dai,or blodwyn is living in that one like an exchange,only fair,check them out mansab, get vely good deal have very good shopping,xxx Yours very cincerly, Imran
Towkoke My dear friends, I can see you have began your journey on a wonderful and exciting note - I have prepared you for this well and truly, haven't I ?? I youf ever get tired of it, let me know - I will take your place any day (he,he,he). Those photos brought me back such fond memory of India. Enjoy every moment of now and what it yet to come !!! Thinking of you both X Toko, Roel and Kids
Steph Hahaha!!! Sounds amazing! Get down to my bro he's being treated like a king lol, Keep safe can't wait for the next instalment!
Em Wow Ro ! This all sounds a bit mental. I feel like I am there with you reading it :) XX