Sorry, another blog entry! It's only been just over a week since departing the cold shores of the UK, though it seems much longer to me! I've managed to fit it quite a bit over this period, though Delhi is a draining place to stay. I think it's a bit like Marmite and that you either love it or hate it. It's taken me a week to decide, and I think I'm on the hating it side of the coin! Is just too much hard work for me. With hindsight I should have gone to Goa first for some R&R before braving the big cities.
Anyway, I'm going to try and keep this short...
Have just been on a tour to The Golden Triangle (Jaipur-Agra-Mathura) and was absolutely amazing! Some of the sites we visited were totally stunning, certainly deserving of there world heritage site status's.
Thanks to Balaji for supplying links to some reputable tour sites, as the local tour operators wanted to charge me triple (minimum) on what I finally paid. Tour was via coach, and as booked through an Indian tour company, was (not surprisingly) full of Indians. There were only around 15 people on the A/C coach, so had plenty of space to relax on the coach. THe majority of the people on the coach were really nice and looked after the poor single white guy!
So after a early start (4.30am) and a long journey we made our way to Jaipur, first stop was the Amber Fort. The scale of this place was unbelievable, the walls seemed to go on forever, winding through the mountains. The photo's really do not do justice to the scale and stunning beauty of this place. Got to see a proper Snake Charmer (is a bit stereotypical of India, but was something I've always wanted to see!)
Following a few more temples and palaces it was time to hit the hay at the hotel in preparation for another early start (wake up call at 3.30am)
So the day kicks off with a trip a few palaces and onto to Agra Fort (2km from the Taj) again, stunning example of India castle/fort, though today is all about the Taj Mahal! From Agra fort you can see the Taj in the distance, and even from here looks so awesome.
As a foreigner you do tend to get a bit ripped off (compared to locals) for the price you have to pay for these attractions. The Indians on the tour paid R30 (£0.40) for combined Agra Fort and Taj Mahal entry, where as a 'rich' foreigner I have the privilege of paying R1000 (£13.63) though, man, it is worth every penny. The Taj Mahal truly is one of the wonders of the world. If you've never been I can't recommend it enough. The scale is out of this world, I never have seen anything like it in my life (and doubt I ever will). The photo's will say more about it than any words I can come up with will, absolutely amazing! Kipling described it as 'the embodiment of all things pure' nuff said!
This was followed up with a trip to Mathura and the Temple there that dates back over 5000 years and the birthplace of the Hindu god Krishna. Was nice, but after the Taj Mahal was nothing special. Also is more a pilgrimage site for Hindu's and as I was the only white boy in the whole site I did feel a bit out of place.
After returning to Delhi and a good, long nights sleep it was time for Shiv's (work-mate from Ericsson) brothers Hindu/Bengali wedding. Was not sure what to expect, though colour and noise were definitely on the cards! The weddings start with a pression behind a band and was a very interesting way to kick off! The whole event was fantastic (though Shiv did get pick-pocketed and had a phone stolen) which was a bit of a dampener to all. Thankfully the lad who stole it was caught, and got some strong 'words' before the cop's took him away.
The amount and quality of food on offer was great, and I was virtually force feed all evening. I think I had my own personal waiter who was following me around offering various snacks! Probably had more food in this evening than in total up to this point!
The overall ceremony takes hours, and they get to have a fire as part of the ritual! (note to my potential future wife - we are having a fire at our wedding!)
Was a another great experience to tick off the list in India.
Current plan is to try and get down to Mumbai a.s.a.p is going to be an equally busy city, but is supposed to be much better and nicer than Delhi. After that it's hitting the Goan beeches before heading to Bangalore to hopefully see the India V England Cricket World Cup Game!
Anywho, time to wrap this up! Apologies for the long winded update but needs to be done!