My third entry on my India trip, a bit overdue! If you've read my last two posts, I said I would divide my posts into places I've visited because I have lots of photos. Going to India is cheaper via other countries than straight to Delhi. PAL is the only direct flight from here that's why it's so expensive, almost the same price as going to the US. So from the Philippines, my route was Singapore, India, Malaysia, then back home. From Singapore I arrived in Delhi, then went to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi, and lastly, Kolkata, all by trains. Never miss riding the train because it's a hell lot of an experience, challenging in many ways.
I took the visa-on-arrival. It can be convenient if you want to avoid the line at the Indian embassy, but it can also be worrisome because your luggage will surely be left out on the conveyor because of the processing time of your visa. You can check
http://embindia.org.ph/ for updated visa requirements.
FROM THE AIRPORT: The moment I stepped out of the airport, my this-is-it moment began. I took the advice from my friend and blogs I've read to get the
prepaid taxi. You tell at the booth where you're going and they'll tell you your fare, and you pay them right away. In this way, you lessen your chances of being scammed by taxi drivers.
Each place I went has its own beauty, and on each of them, I also had memorable experiences. In Delhi, my most memorable was I couch surfed for the first time at an Indian family's house, meaning I stayed at the house of someone I've never even met. It sounds crazy, but They were just so sweet, helpful, and very accommodating. On my first morning, I drank chai tea with the mother of my host at their terrace. It was the best! I could still feel the cool breeze, the not-so-sweet taste of chai, sipping it while looking outside the quiet street and trying to converse with nani (which means mother; because her name was so long, she said I could just call her nani) in broken English and sign language. Nani gave me fruits for snacks everytime I leave their house. Although I've met my hosts for the first time, they made me feel at home for two days. Oh and my host gave me a cute gift for my birthday. So sweet! She was like my mom :) God bless them more!
TRANSPORTATION: I walked, took the rickshaw, rode the metro to go around Delhi. Most of the streets don't have names, so I always had to ask people for directions.
WHAT I LOVE: Markets! I think you could find anything that you're looking for there. They don't have a lot of convenient stores there (I only saw one), but their markets are sporadic and crazy busy! The Qutb Minar and the Red Fort is also nice.
So, here are the places I've visited in Delhi. I wish I could have went to some more, but I didn't want to rush things. There's always a next time :)
Qutb Minar
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the tallest stone tower in India, made of sandstone and marble. The first storey was birthed by Qutbud-Din Aibak in 1192 as a sign of victory, while the second to fourth was continued by his successors. Later it was strucked by lightning, so restorations had to be made, and a fifth storey was attached. It is the tallest tower, but its height is 5 ft. less than Taj Mahal.
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Indian visitors with the tower at the background. It was nice to see that these Indians explore their
own country and I could see they're really interested to understand their history. |
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| Islamic writings embellish the first storey of the tower. |
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Inside of the mosque attached to the tower. Horseshoe arches and lotus bud fringes are the
distinguishing characteristics of this structure. |
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| Crazy details! The walls of the mosque is adorned with very intricate leaves pattern, typical in Islamic art. |
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| The fifth storey |
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sandstone carvings
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| the tower from a distance |
Jama Masjid
A Muslim Mosque. Slippers are not allowed, and you have to cover up yourself--wear long sleeves and pants.
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Because walking on barefoot on a hot weather hurts, they have these improvised pathway
which connects you to the four mosques. |
My third entry on my India trip, a bit overdue! If you've read my last two posts, I said I would divide my posts into places I've visited because I have lots of photos. Going to India is cheaper via other countries than straight to Delhi. PAL is the only direct flight from here that's why it's so expensive, almost the same price as going to the US. So from the Philippines, my route was Singapore, India, Malaysia, then back home. From Singapore I arrived in Delhi, then went to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi, and lastly, Kolkata, all by trains. Never miss riding the train because it's a hell lot of an experience, challenging in many ways.
