Today was a really good day... Last night Norwich beat Man U one -nil... and Steven was happy as he got to witness it! It's funny as we didn't have sports channels back home so we came all the way to India to watch them win!! Ha-ha

We woke up early feeling a bit rough as hadn't really slept and went for an early breakfast. It was here we met an older couple from North Carolina who had just finished the trip we were commencing. They loved it and were happy to give us a few tips on haggling etc. They had enjoyed Agra so much that they go married there and said it was very romantic... They were now heading to the Ganges to do a further week of exploring.

We felt brighter after chatting to some fellow travellers and after eating our eggs and toast, said our goodbyes and made our way to reception to summon the courage to tackle a rickshaw driver. In the reception a few backpackers were milling around and after introducing ourselves it turned out that they were from our tour. There was a couple from Canada called Frank and Stella, a Canadian called Angie and an American called Darcy. They were arranging to hire a car to take them around Delhi and asked if we would care to join them... We jumped at the chance. After working out numbers it turned out Frank and Stella were to go ahead with their friends and we were to go with Darcy and Angie.

We headed out in the car with our driver and proceeded with Darcy's info on Delhi to head to India gate. On route through New Delhi, it was quite incredible to see how different various parts of Delhi are... one minute we are passing through Old Delhi with its crowded roads crumbling buildings and dirty sidewalks, the next we are in New Delhi driving down clean roads with very little traffic and incredibly clean buildings and streets... It's quite striking how the two areas differ. New Delhi is beautiful and full of greenery and space, I loved it!

India gate is a huge memorial in central Delhi that is dedicated to the soldiers of war who have perished either home or abroad, Indian and foreign alike. It's a stunning archway and quite spectacular up close. Once we were there our driver parked up and we went to explore a bit closer, there were a few people milling around and the navy where there in their finery. It was quite a surreal experience as the local people seemed more interested in us then the gate. I was asked so many times if I could be in a photo with them and their family... I must have been in a hundred pictures, Angie found this hilarious and after this I was nicknamed Kate... And Steven... Wills. We didn't mind posing for pictures and to be honest it made me feel more comfortable about asking to take somebody's photo, although the people at the tourist areas are more willing than those in the streets of old Delhi anyway.

Around the gate is various areas of park land where hundreds of people get together for numerous games of cricket, it's amazing to see as we are more used to guys kicking a ball around! The Indian guys love cricket and where ever you are in Delhi you see them playing the sport... They have wickets made from various things such as sticks or poles and they all get involved, it's really nice to see.

After the gate we headed to Humyamun's tomb... It's the tomb of a Mughal emperor and it's an early example of Mughal architecture... It's of Persian style and the very tomb the Obamas visited when they came to Delhi, the place is so peaceful and beautiful. Within the grounds are several tombs of the emperors various asides including his favourite barber and is such a relaxing place to spend some time after such a chaotic few days. We wandered around in the mid-morning sun and chilled out sitting on the cool grass by the big tomb. The tomb its self is quite astonishing as it's like a smaller version of the Taj Mahal ...history says that the emperor fell down some stairs and died on the area where his final resting place was later constructed in his honour. The couple of hours we spent here were so appreciated... Outside there were the usual Indian sights such as stray dogs... Auto rickshaws and even a snake charmer, it was quite busy but still had an air of calm and even the rickshaws drivers were chilled and joked with us... They let us sit in their rickshaws and take pictures without the usual demand for money. This was quite nice and quiet refreshing to have a conversation about our homes and India without then being hassled into giving money or going to visit a cousin's shop or such things.

We stopped in a tourist haunt for a spot of lunch then headed over to the lotus temple. This place is out of the center of Delhi towards the south and was well worth the crazy drive.... It reminded me of the Sydney opera house and was so clean and new looking. We were quite tired by this point of the day and the queue was so long to get in that we thought we would admire from a far. The queue had hundreds and hundreds if people in it, it was quite something. We wondered whether this was for any reason in particular or just because it's such a stunning place.

Our final sight was the Qutb minar which is truly spectacular. It's a tall pillar and was one of the earliest signs of afghan architecture and is amazing. It's a mere five meters shorter than the Taj Mahal and is surrounded by vast grounds peppered with various tombs and monuments. The minar itself is a work of art... It's stands proud and is covered with beautifully ornate brickwork from top to bottom. You just can't help but say wow when you see it and every few mins after. You end up with hundreds of pics of this tower because it's so breathtaking. Every angle makes it look different and it was definitely the high light of the day.

Now it was about four pm and we thought we should head back as we had the welcome meeting at six pm with the rest of the group. On arrival back there were several of the group chilling in reception including Vanessa from Germany and a Norwegian couple called Emily and Christian. At the meet we found out there were fifteen of us from all over the world including America, Canada, Australia, Ireland, England, Norway and Germany. Our CEO introduced himself as Abhi and he gave us a brief rundown of the next day or two and what to expect.

After the meet Abhi took us all to a local restaurant for dinner and I have to say... It was the best meal I have had in India so far... My mouth waters thinking about it. We ordered a murg (chicken) bhuna with naan and rice and it was stunning, nothing like the bhuna at home... Yummy! We also had a beer with our new comrades and all shared our India so far stories. It was a lovely evening and it was nice to finally meet everyone... We have quite a diverse group with various ages, personalities and nationalities. We chatted with Emily and Christian for a while about Cambodia and Thailand as that is where they had just arrived from and they told us all about China too. By the time we had eaten our food and sunk our beers it was nearly ten and we were shattered... We slowly wandered home, said our good nights and retreated. I felt so dirty and clammy from today so thought I would brave the shower and it was HOT!!! Amaaaaazing.... My first hot shower since I left the UK and it was very much appreciated! ....today was a good day.