Here’s even more colourful market traders in Old Delhi
We stumble across these beautiful ornate doors in one of the small back allies.
Carrying on our second day in Dehli we headed to India Gate, the memorial which commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives while fighting for the British Raj in World War 1.
Clustered around the monument were people selling all sorts of things from flutes to ice creams, hot nuts to fluffy pom poms!
I loved the battered old tuc tucs they used as ice cream vans and below is the result of a day walking in Delhi in flip flips..
We were now meant to continue our journey across Rajasthan via an over night train to Udiapur taking 12 hours.
Alas this was not to be due to ongoing protests. People had ripped up train lines and were sleeping on the railway tracks. So became the epic 26 hour car journey cross country. . .
While I am on the topic of travel, I was fortunate enough to do some travelling in India earlier this year.
For my first ever experience of this country I decided to set us a punishing itinerary covering a huge swathe of Rajasthan then dipping into Kerela.
Flying into Delhi in December, we were head first into one of the wettest, coldest months they’d had for a few years – typical!
Here’s a wet exploration of Humayun’s tomb complex
Some of the hundreds of school kids who mobbed me to shake my hand and say hello. Felt like a minor celeb being papped albeit only for the novelty of my lily white flesh.
We were shown the frenetic sights of Delhi courtesy of a tour arranged by Delhi Magic – a fantastic company who I can’t recommend enough.
From the serene yet damp surroundings of Humayans Tomb to the packed streets of Old Delhi, we were literally head first into a maze of colours, smells and sensations that were completely bewildering, frustrating at times but always incredible.
Rickety transport and a rather dubious looking medical facility . . .
Tasty food at Pindis where we learnt our first lesson – while samosas and bhajis might be small side dishes at home, when you order them in Delhi you literally get a platter full of each . . . no wonder they looked at us a little askance!
On our second day our assured little guide took us on the metro, whizzed us round temples and mosques.
We encountered lots of interesting characters including this gentleman taking it easy and the pensive young woman framed by an ornate window.
Then we ordered our first ever proper Indian Thali at Haldiram’s in Delhi. Very tasty!! (Apart from the dessert which was so perfumed it was like eating toilet cleaner!! – Not to my taste)
We visit a communal kitchen at a Sikh temple in the heart of the city where they feed 100s of people every day. This woman looks suitable frazzled by the task at hand!
Next up were the amazing markets, full of hustle and bustle, food and socialising, take a look at some of the street food – fab!
So having very nearly successfully completed on the sale of my lil house I am looking forward to a culture packed break in one of my favourite countries – Italy.
Flying into Pisa to do the obligatory tourist shot of the tower then heading off for the delights of the Cinque Terre for fours days before checking out Florence.
Here’s Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre where we’ll be staying for a few days and having some days hiking!!!!
I love Italy, already seen Rome and Venice, both of which are stunningly beautiful in their own different ways.
Rome is just jam packed full of art, architecture and pizza while Venice gradually and glamorously decays away in regal splendour.
Can’t wait to see how this holiday stacks up in comparison. 🙂
