New Delhi sightseeing tour

Cutting the Grass with scissors outside Qutab Minar
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October 12, 2007 / Paris to Delhi:

We had lot’s of wake up calls to ensure we were up in time to get to the airport. Jen called, the hotel called, and my cell phone alarm went off. We took a taxi to the airport arriving about 8am. Checked in, went to the Business Class lounge to wait. Had some breakfast there (yum, chocolate croissants!) and boarded Air France #148 flight at 9:45am. Again, we were in the first two seats in the front of the plane. We had to wait for people from connecting flights, so the plane left a little late at 10:45. It was scheduled to leave at 10:20am. After we reached cruising altitude lunch was served. For an appetizer Chris had salmon and I had Duck Foie gras. Chris had duck for his entrée and I had an Indian dish with vegetables, rice and lentils. For dessert I had a delicious chocolate cake and Chris had raspberry sorbet. Most everyone went to sleep, but as we were landing at 10:15 Delhi time, and we would be at hotel around 11pm, we figured it was best to stay away so we could sleep in Delhi.” There is a 3 ½ hour time change from Paris to Delhi. We both watch License to Wed, and started A Bugs Life, but it was too stupid. We arrived in Delhi as scheduled at 10:15pm. After walking through customs we saw our transfer agent and driver who drove us about30 minutes to our hotel, The Grand, Vasant Kunj : Premium room http://www.thegrandhotels.net/Propertydetail.asp?id=10.

Qutab Minar
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October 13, 2007 / Delhi:

We enjoyed a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and then our driver and guide, Suregh, took us on a sightseeing tour. There are 14 million people living in Delhi. 88% of the population is Hindu. The rest is Muslim. The air in Delhi has a haze to it from pollution and you can smell fires burning as most of the population cook their food over open wood fires. The roads are all very congested with cars, bus’s, motor scooters, bicycles and pedestrians. Traffic does not go too fast but somehow it keeps moving. Cows walk in the center of the street. People are beeping their horns all the time. As we drive often people come up to the car window begging (usually women with children). People are everywhere. We saw poverty unlike anywhere else. I am fascinated by the outdoor barber shops. Attached to a tree is a mirror, and there is a tarp erected by it, with a chair under it. The customer sits in the chair and has his hair cut outdoors. Haircut is 5 rupees, shave is 10 rupees.

Humayun's Tomb
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First we visited the 11th century Qutab Minar. It was started in 1193 immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi, and finished in 1368. It is 234 feet high. The first 3 stories are made of red sandstone and the fourth and fifth stories are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the Qutb Minar stands the first mosque to be built in India, the Might of Islam Mosque. Its construction also started in 1193.

Next we visited Humayun’s Tomb, a World Heritage site. It was built by the 2^nd Mogul Emperor in the mid 16^th century. Then main structure is on top of a platform to show the higher status of the emperor. There are 8 sides but it looks squarish. There is a double dome shaped like an onion which is a symbol of eternal love. In the center of the square is water symbolizing Paradise. There are 4 gardens the wife built for her husband. The tomb is the precursor to the Taj Mahal.

Humayun's Tomb
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We viewed the Red Fort, which is a symbol of Indian Democracy.

We took a “tour “of the Old City in Delhi in a 3 wheeled bicycle rickshaw. We went by shops of all kinds selling food, fabrics, tools, anything you can imagine. The alley ways between the shops are crowded with pedestrians, bikes and rickshaws.

Next we visited the Mahatama Gandhi Memorial.

We visited The Lakshmi Narayan Temple or the Birla Temple as it is popularly known enshrines Lord Vishnu – the preserver of the Hindu Trinity.

Humayun's Tomb
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We saw India Gate where cornerstone of New Delhi was laid in 1921. It took 10 years to build. Names of many Indians who died in WWII are listed there.

We had dinner this night with parent’s of one of Chris’s co-workers, Vic Bhardwaj. ( Anand and Vibha) Vic’s cousin also joined us. First we visited the school where Vic attended and drove by the Bahia temple and then went to a very nice restaurant (Punjab). We had great food and a great time. Hotel: The Grand, Vasant Kunj