Namaste!

What a jam packed day we had today. We started with a wonderful buffet breakfast. Loaded up on the bus and headed out for a full day of touring.

We started by driving through the streets of Delhi. I was just amazed at no traffic lights and the normal 3 lane avenues were actually driven as lane avenues. People driving so close to each other with motorbikes and pedestrians squeezing in and out of the traffic.

We drove past the Red Fort built in red sandstone on the banks of the River Yamuna by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

The Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperor of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political centre of Mughal government and the setting for events critically impacting the region.

The Red Fort was built as the fortified palace of Shahjahanabad, capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in 1648. Named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone, it is adjacent to the older Salimgarh Fort, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions, connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Behisht). The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity under Shah Jahan. Although the palace was planned according to Islamic prototypes, each pavilion contains architectural elements typical of Mughal buildings, reflecting a fusion of Timurid, Persian and Hindu traditions. The Red Fort's innovative architectural style, including its garden design, influenced later buildings and gardens in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir, Braj, Rohilkhand and elsewhere. With the Salimgarh Fort, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Red Fort Complex.

On to the Jama Masjid. It is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the best-known mosque in India. Construction began in 1650 and was completed in 1656. It lies at the beginning of the Chawri Bazar Road, a very busy central street of Old Delhi. The later name, Jama Masjid, refers to the weekly Friday noon congregation prayers of Muslims, Jummah, which are usually done in a mosque, the "congregational mosque" or "jāma masjid". The courtyard of the mosque can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers. The mosque also houses several relics in a closet in the north gate, including an antique copy of the Qur'an written on deer skin.

We were a bit disappointed when we were told we could not take pictures. We received our gowns and removed our shoes, entered only to see that peopl were snapping pictures all over the place. Singh (our guide) gave us the history and the pride people feel coming to this place.

We returned to our bus and headed on to Bu-Halima Gateway. This grand gateway led to the tomb-garden of Bu Halima, of whom not much is known. The façade of the gateway is chamfered, and remnants of tilework can still be seen. Ornate domed canopies surmount the two northern bastions of the garden wall. The western wall of the garden was breached in the 19th century to allow access for visitors.

The 98 degree temperatures and the hot, hot sun, were a real monster. We all weren't really hungry, so we opted-out for lunch.

We then headed on to Old Delhi to visit the Qutab Minar. It is the 2nd tallest minar (73 metres) in India after Fateh Burj in Chappar Chiri at Mohali which stands 100 meters tall. Qutub Minar originally an early Islamic Monument inscribed with Arabic inscriptions is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Delhi, the Qutb Minar is made of red sandstone and marble. The stair of the tower has 379 steps, is 72.5 metres (237.8 ft) high, and has a base diameter of 14.3 metres, which narrows to 2.7 metres at the top. Construction was started in 1192 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and was carried on by his successor, Iltutmish. In 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlaq constructed the fifth and the last storey. It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as the Qutb complex.

We took a lot of photos here. We also were asked to take pictures with some of the Indian visitors there. Many asking where were we from.

After the entire afternoon and 4804 steps we headed back to our hotel. I really just wanted to head to bed, but I'm glad I did have some dinner. The creme brulee was fantastic. Dinner was also, but that was the highlight. They also have these shooters that I've become addicted to. They're made of fruit juice, but they have some type of pepper in them, maybe cayenne.

This was a wonderful day!