Search This Blog

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Delhi - Day 9

October 2, 2019

We had another full day in Delhi before we leave for Varanasi tomorrow.  Subie met us once again to take us on a mini tour around  Delhi.  Since we went to all the main attractions we decided on visiting a pretty park in a very wealthy part of the city.  Subie mentioned that there are a lot of millionaires that live in Delhi and this is where they come to exercise and enjoy nature.
IMG_-3882

IMG_-3883

IMG_-3886

IMG_-3887

IMG_-3894

This park had a ton of dogs and I wanted to pet every one of them!
IMG_-3900

IMG_-3902

After the park we went to Swaminarayan Akshardham, a beautiful new temple (around 12 years old) In Delhi.  They are extremely strict, no photography, no bags, no food.  You either have to check them in at the gate or leave them in the car.  Good thing we had a driver so all of our stuff were safe with him.  It's too bad though, this place was gorgeous.  How am I gonna remember it without the pictures???

That evening we had booked a food tour with Delhi Food Walks.  We couldn't wait to eat some street food!  But first, we stopped by this CRAZY marketplace called Sarojini Nagar.  This place was jammed packed everywhere you turned.  When we told our food guide that we went he said "what? why on earth would you want to go there??" But I did get my Halloween costume there, all for a litte over ten bucks!  Everything was dirt cheap. I'll show that in another post
IMG_-3909


We met at Chandi Chowk, our tour was from 5-9:30 and I think we paid about $65 pp.  We had 9 stops of yummy goodness to look forward to.  So this is where I suck.  I can't remember the names of half the stuff we ate.  But they were all really good
IMG_-3910

This was a potato thingy in a tamarind sauce.  One of our favorites
IMG_-3911

This cookie thing was about 70 cents
IMG_-3912

It was super flaky and not too sweet.  Good start so far!
IMG_-3913

We ate Paranthas at Gaya Prasad
IMG_-3917

IMG_-3915

Each of us got a plate.  Good thing it was kinda too spicy for me, I didn't want to fill up so early!
IMG_-3919

I believe we got lemon, mixed vegi, and dried fruit.  They came with different chutneys we could try
IMG_-3920

Stop number 4 was samosas and jalebis
IMG_-3922

Did I ever tell you I hate shooting with my flash? ugh.
IMG_-3925

I forget what the filling was
IMG_-3927

A jalebi is kinda like a funnel cake.  It was delicious!
IMG_-3929

We then stopped by a marigold factory where they make all of their garlands.  I was shocked to see all the flowers!
IMG_-3931

IMG_-3932

IMG_-3936

IMG_-3937

We stopped for some Masala Chai, my new favorite tea! I wish I took video of this guy.  It's a whole production!
IMG_-3939

IMG_-3943

These kabobs are supposedly really popular.  Too spicy! ack!
IMG_-3947

I think they were lamb
IMG_-3946

IMG_-3951

We cleansed our palate with some rabri.  This is an Indian sweet made from thickened sweetened milk
IMG_-3958

It was about 56 cents American
IMG_-3959

This butter chicken was by far my favorite stop of the night.  Although the spices they put on the chicken were too spicy for me (big surprise there), the buttery cream sauce was DELICIOUS.  And eating with their "bread" (sorry, I can't remember what this one was called) was insane.
IMG_-3954

IMG_-3952

IMG_-3955

IMG_-3956

Our last stop was for some kulfi.  This is an Indian type ice cream with the texture of sorbet.  It's made with evaporated and regular milk.  They are usually served as popsicles but they cut it up for us
IMG_-3960

The first one (and the best) was pomegranite
IMG_-3964

I didn't like any of the rest.  This is mango
IMG_-3965

Khata meeta falsa (don't ask, I have no idea)
IMG_-3966

and masala
IMG_-3968


If you ever get a chance to come to Delhi, I would highly recommend one of these tours.  There's no way we would've found any of these places!!



Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Bharatpur and Agra - Day 8

October 1, 2019

Today is the last day of the tour.  Wow, that was fast.  Those were long sweaty days but it seemed to just fly by!  We finally get to visit the Taj Mahal today and everyone is excited.  But first...

Visit to Ghana Bird Sanctuary   6:00 am
Return to POW  8:30
Breakfast on Board  8:30
Departure for Agra  9:00
Arrival at Idgah Railway Station  11:00
Departure for Sightseeing and Visit Agra Fort  11:10
Lunch at 5 star hotel  1:30
Visit to Taj Mahal  3:00
Shopping  5:30
Dinner on Board  8:00
Departure for Delhi 8:45

Yup, another bright and early day to visit the bird sanctuary in Bharatpur.  I didn't get many bird pics here, I didn't have the right lenses.  I didn't want to carry around my zoom lens, it's way too heavy and I would have only used it on this day anyways.  So I got plenty of landscape stuff instead.
IMG_-3810
We all got to ride in one of these bike tuktuks.  It was a surprisingly mild morning, almost chilly!  Yah, I said almost.  If I had a sweater I would've wore it for about 10 mins or so.
IMG_-3780
IMG_-3785
IMG_-3786
IMG_-3788
IMG_-3795
I finally got one pic.  Our guide said this little guy was actually drying out his wings!  Cute yah!
IMG_-3797
IMG_-3799
IMG_-3802
IMG_-3808
The two bird enthusiasts in action...
IMG_-3809
Back to the train for some breakfast and then to Agra!
IMG_-3811
Always greeted by Ram
IMG_-3812
Agra Fort
IMG_-3813
IMG_-3815
IMG_-3817
IMG_-3818
IMG_-3820
IMG_-3823
IMG_-3826
IMG_-3827
Trying to cool off...
IMG_-3829
IMG_-3833
We finally made it to the Taj Mahal!  I really really wish we could've come at sunrise, it would've been a lot cooler and waaay less people.  It was still amazing and beautiful despite the heat...
IMG_-3837-3
IMG_-3839
IMG_-3850
IMG_-3861
IMG_-3868
I wasn't the only one who was a sweaty mess!!
IMG_-3866
IMG_-3876
IMG_-3880

I have a lot more pics on our cell phones that I will share with you later.  But for now, our journey with Palace on Wheels has come to an end.  It was a great seven days, but wait!  Our time in India isn't done yet.  Randy and I still have to visit Varanasi.  See you soon!