I have to say that Delhi pleasantly surprised me! I was expecting a car-clogged city on the verge of a chaotic breakdown. But it wasn’t. The streets were relatively clean and free of major traffic (it could be that the gods were with us and that this was simply an exceptional two days). The city is laid out in a grandiose fashion, which can be best seen in the neighbourhood surrounding the Secretariat buildings, the Parliament and the India Gate. New Delhi and Delhi is vibrant, full of history, and is a good introduction to India.
Delhi is a city that many visitors forego and use it only as a landing place before they embark on to their next (first) city. I can now say that I think that is a mistake. Take a few days and experience this capital city of the largest democracy in the world. It has lots to offer.
WHAT TO DO
> Riding through small streets of Delhi in a cycle rickshaw: Riding through the various bazaars in the medieval area of Chandini Chowk on a rickshaw is a memorable moment for any traveller. Going down very narrow streets on a rickshaw, often avoiding vendors and passers-by by a millimetre or two, makes for a pleasant drive. Look up and you will see why the telephone lines and internet connections in India are so bad and slow. The wires overhead look like massive birds’ nests and are tangled beyond belief. Look to the side and you will stare right into the many shops that are flanked on each side of the road. Colourful fabrics, smelly foods and trinkets of all shapes and sizes are within hands-reach.
> Jama Masjid Mosque: this is the biggest mosque in India, which can accommodate 25,000 people in its humongous courtyard. It is a must see! Standing within its walls, watching the sun trying to protrude through the hazy air and illuminate the red stone of its dome and covered arches surrounding the courtyard was magical. Walking through the gateway and watching people in various stages of worship, or simply photographing the monument, gave the whole mosque a sense of purpose that was tangible to your heart.
> Elephant ride: We were driving along this quiet street in New Delhi, when suddenly an elephant with two young guys on it appeared in front of us. Of course, we told the driver to stop and quickly jumped out of the car to admire this huge yet gentle animal. The two young entrepreneurs on the elephant did not hesitate to stop and take us for short rides right there on the road. We got our photographs, patted the elephant, tipped the guys … but of course the money we gave them was not enough … at least according to them. Sometimes you feel that it’s never enough in India! Anyhow, they left in a huff, all angry at us. I was all concerned that they’re going to get the elephants to stomp all over us and squish us ☺
> Lunch at Claridges: sitting on the front lawn of this hotel while eating samosas and other delicacies was a wonderful reprise from the hustle and bustle of the city outside the hotel’s walls. Everyone needs little breaks while in India!
> Location of assassination and cremation of Mahatma Gandhi: There cannot be one person on this planet who hasn’t heard of the father of India, Mahatma Gandhi. There is one quote of his that particularly resonates with me: ‘My life is my statement’. His life, however, has made a huge statement for a nation of over one billion. The place where he got assassinated and cremated are two separate places. Gandhi Smriti recreates his last steps before he got assassinated. Literally! From the simple and stark room where he spent his last 144 days you will find his footprints in cement leading down a pathway to a central lawn, where a crazed out Hindu shot him. The point of assassination is now commemorated with a Martyr’s Column. It makes for a very vivid representation of the last steps that this remarkable man made, before he died. After his death and the grand procession that followed, he was finally cremated in a huge park at a point called Raj Ghat. In the place of his cremation you will today find a very solemn and simple memorial with an everlasting flame by its side.
> India Gate: located at the end of the Rajpath, this 42 metre high archway commemorates all the many Indians (90,000 they say), that died in the many wars in which they fought for the Britons. Although not as impressive as the Gateway to India in Mumbai, it’s still worth a see. From there you can also drive down the Rajpath to see the massive Secretariat Buildings that house all the ministries and the circular, colonnaded structure of the Parliament.
RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
The Imperial Hotel: This is a beautiful old colonial hotel, built in the mid 30’s. I have to say that staying here gives you a true feeling of the glorious Raj era of India. The hallways are full of marble, the rooms very deluxe and large and the imperially dressed staff always ready with a smile. Upon entering the hotel, we were given a garland and a red dot (bindhi) on our forehead. Was a great personal touch to make us feel at home. The hotel has a great bar called 1911, which is the year when the British officially proclaimed Delhi as the capital.
Claridges Hotel: our friends stayed in this hotel and it looked and felt great. Not as majestic as the Imperial, nevertheless, quite a wonderful and more intimate hotel. Having lunch on the lawn of this hotel was very memorable.
Trident Gurgaon Hotel: we stayed in this hotel the last night in India, prior to departing for Dubai. The Trident brand is actually owned by the Oberoi hotels, and was till recently managed by the Hilton chain. This hotel is an excellent business hotel, with spacious rooms and everything you would expect from a big chain. The design of the hotel was very surprising: very zen, very contemporary, with very large reflection pools with fire pits in the centre.
Bojan Tercon
hey!
Just wanted to check with about food hygiene in India. Is it safe to consume their water and food there? I heard some stories that even bottled water bought from a decent hotel can still cause diarrhea. Hope it's not true as I would really love to visit India some day. Thanks!!
Posted by: melissa | October 07, 2008 at 20:24