Despite not looking forward to Delhi it came as a pleasant surprise and relief. We stayed in the Tibetan area of Delhi where Tibetans have fled from their homes because of Chinese rule: the people in the area were quiet, polite and helpful and it could have been Tibet: prayer flags everywhere and lovely Tibetan food (Momos are my new favourite thing - steamed dumplings). It was very telling that the only people that bothered us and asked for money every time we stepped out the door were the Indians! It is understandable because they are obviously so poor but it is still draining when you have to put up with it all day. The Tibetans were also poor but didn't bother us! It did make me slightly concerned about going to China after seeing the posters up in our Hotel saying things about the Olympics and that people should shun the medals as all the metals used have been plundered illegally from Tibet..stirring stuff.

After using their pristine metro system ( what a difference to the world above! No horns, pollution, clean and efficient!) we went to India Gate and another red fort (!). The national museum was excellent and the Bollywood film was brilliant: all in Hindi but we still got the gist of the humour and the story. The security was incredible though (apart from the bag storage which was a bloke sitting in the boot of a car?!). It seems the cinema was the best place to be during the riots: much safer and not a lot was open. It was such a nice few days and it was unfortunate that the hotel made a mistake with the room price but tried to charge us over double - it slightly soured what had been a lovely stay having a blazing row in the middle of the street. And the girl had the cheek to say we were shameless! It really upset me that they made us out to be the cheats. Still, we didn't pay any more than we owed, so Dave was happy! And who stood round in a big crowd saying they'd never rip us off? You guessed it, the Indians! Then we stayed near the airport as we had an early flight: we got a room with no hot water, no bin and half a towel (the guy told me we had to share a towel!). Never mind. I won't miss Indian hospitality! Next stop: Hong Kong.