Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
The day started well, as agreed knocked on the door of the old man, to be answered by an edifying sight of Rob in his underwear "I've overslept". Oh well breakfast consumed ½ later and off in a Put Put ride of death to the massive Hyderabad museum, across the city from where we are staying. Lots of interesting stuff and some of the rooms had really good air conditioning. Those were some of our favourite rooms. After sitting down in a cool corridor and either a) finding a time vortex or b) a power knap we set off walking to fin a Trip Adviser rated restaurant.
After much wondering around various interesting back streets where they where hand making Galvanised pots and dismantling cars (one store had several racks 10's of meters high of starter motors !!??) we gave up looking and decided to take a Put Put to the second choice, the put put on second attempt delivered us, however was not the establishment Rob was expecting. Heated words exchanged and I had to trot after Rob storming down the street. After much wondering round and second put put driver delivered us back to the same spot, realised it was actually the restaurant we were looking for, whoops. Oh well. Went in cautiously and using our own utensils and much washing using our hand washing had a very tasty Biryani and roti.
We then set off to the Charminar monument which was in the same area. We chose to walk through a market/shopping area which was really interesting. We were on the women's side of the street so lots of saris and really beautiful dresses - and we weren't hassled too much because we were blokes and weren't shopping for their goods. As usual the trick is to keep moving. Walking close to on coming traffic is also a good method of clearing any persistent followers off your wake. 'Leave me alone on endanger your life' mechanism.
This area is more Muslim than some other parts of India so a lot of women in the black head to toe dresses. But, the Indians (Hindus?) are very pleased to see westerners. We went up the Charminar. As 'foreigners' we were allowed to jump the queue but the entrance price is about ten times the price for foreigners. That still only made it only £2.00 for the Charminar and £5.00 for the museum.
Up on the viewing platform of the Charminar we became quite celebrities. The Indians wanted to be photographed with us - the is how rare westerner tourists seem to be in this area. Of course once you have your photo done with some, lots of others want to do it too. We will be trending on Hyderabad Facebook soon.
Dinner tonight out at the Paradise restaurant in Begumpet (the area of Hyderabad we are in). Hyderabad is the original home of the biryani and the Paradise does the finest biryanis in Hyderabad (so I am told and who am I to dispute that). Beat the tuk tuk drive fare down from £1:00 to £0:80. Rob kept shaking his head but didn't like to interrupt the discussion. As he says it's not about the price it's the principle. Back into the hotel, commented as we sat down in their posh restaurant and endured the usual withering looks from the head waiter we commented on how unusual for a hotel not to have a bar. At which point the manager came over and suggested we would be 'more comfortable' in the bar. Took us down a passageway and hey presto a bar. Jet setters or what. Then we sat in the hotel bar drinking Kingfisher beers and watching the IPL cricket on the tele.
Large parts of todays blog written by Rob with editing and additional parts by me, readers of Robs email may spot the extras.
More tomorrow if the Internet connection allows.
- comments
Mother Your blog is so good...can't wait for the next one. Almost feeI I am there with you. But, just remember, don't haggle too much for the put puts they don't have much fun money as you!
Nick Harris Greetings from ncpms to you guys, I can't believe this isn't a BBC travelogue in the vein of Hairy bikers or May and Clarke. Anyway if this is the standard of your Internet connection then we'll expect you to do your project updates Rob