Beat the noise today by waking up at 5AM and getting picked up by my driver (who only speaks broken English) at 6AM to avoid the Delhi morning traffic. Just before Agra we stopped to check out the giant Mausoleum area of Sikandra built "by" and for the Mogul Akbar. In the afternoon I went to see the Taj Mahal. And even though people were stepping on top of each other for the picture-postcard photo it was surprisingly enjoyable and a very impressive building. Alth...

The usual 5:30AM fireworks call. But I found out what they celebrate. It's the birthday of a 14th Century Guru. But why they need to make noise at 5:30AM is beyond me.Went to the Red Fort today. But except for the gigantic walls and gates there isn't much to see inside. Other than decaying buildings. The back wall is even missing entirely. But the Fort once must have been vast by Western standards. Then I strolled to the Jama Majid Mosque. Also a gigantic...

There's one thing about "Incredible India" you'll understand incredibly fast. The second you leave the airplane you're a permanent target. Seen as nothing but a walking cash machine. Absolutely no genuine interest about you or where you come from. Despite the questions.From the 36 countries I visited in my life i would consider India as the one with the most unwelcoming atmosphere towards foreigners. As soon as someone is talking to you all they are r...

At 5:30AM I abruptly woke up to fireworks going off followed by chanting and a song performed by what sounded like a big crowd down in the narrow alleyway. Shortly after, the cleaning hotel staff made sure there was no turning back to sleep. Since the hot shower didn't work again I informed the hotel manager. Who by the way is so rude that I already considered moving to another hotel. Watching the staff trying to fix the problem (which obviously is caused by ...

Took the Metro to central Delhi with its impressive government buildings and the India Gate. By the way, a ride in the Metro is an experience in itself. The "people shuffle" is incredible! And the subway no place for claustrophobics. Then I walked towards the shopping district Connaught Place, a gigantic circular square if you will ;) On the way I came by a big mosque where Muslims celebrated a holiday and hundreds of street vendors selling mostly unidentifiable ...