Day 110 - Quick Tour of Delhi

I woke up in the morning and was transferred from my shitty hotel to another hotel, with a private bathroom this time, and a more spacious living area. I spoke with the receptionist about information on where to get a sim card, what places to go, and how to book train tickets. Each time, he would mention a specific tour office that he kept insisting of taking me to. I read the reviews of these hotels and they said to avoid going to this tour office because they would charge you more for everything you book. I got in a little heated discussion with him after I said I would figure it out myself, and he accused me of thinking he was trying to cheat me, which he was.

After walking around the crowded, chaotic street, I stumbled on a tour agency and ended up booking a private car for the day around Delhi and a flight out of Delhi into the mountainous region of Kashmir the next day. I wanted out ASAP and the flight was not too expensive and included a one night stay on a houseboat there.

The driver took me around Delhi, where I stopped at a couple of the major attractions – the Red Fort, the India Gate, and Akshardam. I also wanted to stop at the High Court, where there was a bomb blast yesterday, killing around 10 people and injuring almost another 100, but the driver said it probably wasn't possible.

I met an English girl at the Red Fort, who had been traveling in India for about a month and was leaving tomorrow. She gave me some advice on where to go, how much to pay for transportation, and told me to keep positive despite my initial feelings about the city.

I visited Akshardam next, which was recommended by a friend back in California, which is the largest Hindu Temple in India. It was magnificent, grand, ornate, intricate, and everything amazing! I was really in awe when I stepped onto the grounds. It was recently built in the span of five years, and I felt everything was in it's right place. The architect really put much thought into the layout of everything, including the small designs on many of the marble and pink stone used throughout the area. I was bummed I wasn't able to take any photos inside since everything had to be checked into a cloak room and we were checked my metal detectors upon entry. Not even mobile phones were allowed inside. My words and pictures really don't do it any justice, and I think anyone in Delhi should make it a point to stop here!

At the end of the night, I walked around the market and had a quick dinner before retreated to my hotel room. Early wake-up at 3am for an early flight the next day..

Inside the Red Fort

Suspects from Yesterday's High Court Bombing

Outside the Red Fort

Akshardham from a Distance

India Gate

India Gate

Day 109 - BKK to Delhi, India

Spent the day getting everything settled before heading to India. Spent the morning deciding what to bring with me and what to ship home. I ended up shaving 5kg from my backpack but it cost an arm and a leg to ship stuff back! Afterwards, went to a pharmacy to get some more malaria pills for the rest of my travels in the less developed areas.

I would arrive in India at 10:30pm so I booked a hostel and airport pickup beforehand so I wouldn't have to deal with it when I arrived. The flight ended up taking about 4.5 hours, which was more than I expected, but it was due to the 1.5 hour time difference that I didn't account for when I looked at my itinerary. It's interesting how India and Myanmar have times that are 30 minutes off from the rest of the world on the minute-hand.

The flight was probably 50% booked, and I managed to get a whole row to myself. It also kind of smelled like baby poo at the beginning and end of the flight.

Going through immigration at the Delhi airport was quick and painless, and there weren't too many people there at night. People have told me that it would be a culture shock, and I braced myself. The ride from the airport to the hotel was interesting. It just seemed really dangerous and chaotic driving through the city. There didn't seem to be any method to any of the driving, and I saw many instances that could have potentially ended in an accident (i.e. cars parked on the side lanes, that could easily get hit by oncoming traffic) This was at night too, when I suspect the traffic is less congested.

I arrived in the neighborhood where the hostel was and I could see the sheer poverty of the country already, with many, many people sleeping on the floor and in the streets. Dogs and even cows were also scattered around the roads. Garbage was littered everywhere. I don't know why, but it just reminded me somewhat of what my perception of a warzone would look like in a city. Definitely the worst place I've seen so far in my travels, and this was the area where tourists were! I was scared to leave the taxi, since there were scarcely any streetlights, and I had to walk through dark and narrow alleys to get to the hostel.

There was an earthquake when I was in the taxi on my way to the hostel measuring 6.6, but I didn't feel it. People were talking about it at the hostel though, and it was covered on the news, showing footage of all the locals congregating outside. The hostel ended up transferring me due to some sort of “earthquake” issue to another guesthouse. It was basically a room that I suspect used to be the kitchen. Pretty shitty conditions for my first night in India.

I met an Indian couple who was on their honeymoon at the guesthouse and we talked for a little bit. They informed me that there was a bomb that went off in Delhi earlier today killing around 70 people. I'll have to check the news later to see what that was all about...Hopefully India gets better...People have told me to get out of Delhi and into some of the other parts to really have a pleasant experience. I should follow their advice..

Indira Ghandi International Airport (Delhi, India)

Last meal in BKK

First night's accommodations in Delhi...