With a mind full of indelible impressions, I started packing my things for the trip to Siliguri. Raj and I had agreed to leave around 6:00 PM so that we would be in time for our overnight stay. The plans for the next morning had already been made: we would fly back to New Delhi early.
However, our trip did not go as planned. About 45 minutes before our destination we were unpleasantly surprised by a flat tire. Raj, who did everything he could to make my stay in India as pleasant as possible, seemed to find this particularly annoying. Fortunately, a helpful young man stopped to assist us. Removing the wheel proved to be a challenge, and when we finally did it, we discovered that our spare tire was also punctured.
Our plan to drive to a nearby gas station for a quick repair failed. The tire was too damaged to complete the journey. Raj made the decision to walk the last part to the gas station, but upon arrival it turned out to be closed. We were now dependent on Pratique, who came to us from his home in Siliguri.
Finally, after a long and unexpected delay, we arrived at our car at 11:45 PM. We transferred to Pratique's car while an ambulance took our car for repairs. We finally arrived at our hotel around 12:30 am. It was an unforeseen turn of events, but luckily we were safe.
After a quick shower I went to bed, tired but grateful for the day's experiences. Tomorrow we would fly back to New Delhi. I closed my eyes, ready for the final leg of this unforgettable adventure in India.
Back To (New) Delhi
Today we leave Siliguri for New Delhi, the bustling capital of India and home to Parliament. With its 27 million inhabitants, it is a true metropolis, third in the world in terms of population size.
Our day started with a surprise over breakfast at our hotel in Siliguri: our flight, originally scheduled for 11:20 am, had been rescheduled to 12:50 pm. This meant that our time in New Delhi would be shorter than expected. To make the most of the extra time, we took a leisurely drive around the area and enjoyed a cup of coffee before heading to Bagdogra Airport. Once there, we were faced with even more delays; our flight finally left at 1:30 pm.
Once we landed in New Delhi, we immediately felt the oppressive heat of 30 degrees. The air was filled with a constant mist of smog, a sharp contrast to the fresh mountain air in the Himalayas.
After arriving in Delhi we collect our luggage and look for a taxi among the hustle and bustle of commercial providers. Raj arranges controlled transport, where everything is recorded for safety. Back at our usual hotel, 'Classic Diplomat', we quickly jump into an auto-rickshaw (tuk-tuk) for a lively ride through the city. These agile vehicles maneuver nimbly through busy traffic. The ride to the metro is short, but offers a fascinating glimpse of city life. The metro itself is a striking contrast: clean, calm and orderly, a haven in the bustling city.
Within half an hour we reach the heart of New Delhi, the capital since 1931, by metro. To explore further we take the tuk-tuk. Raj deftly negotiates prices, while I, as a tourist, keep my distance. We enjoy an evening tour of the illuminated parliament buildings and other highlights. Our destination is the impressive 'Gate of India', a war memorial in honor of 70,000 fallen soldiers from the First World War. Illuminated in the colors of the Indian flag, this 45-meter-high gate resembles the Arc de Triomphe and is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and fountains.
Old Delhi - The Historical Heart
After successful negotiations with Raj, we explore Old Delhi by tuk-tuk, the historic heart of the city originally called Shajahanabad. Moved from Agra to Delhi in 1648, this walled city is famous for its lively bazaars, street food, shopping areas and Islamic architecture.
Old Delhi is the symbolic heart of the Delhi metropolis and is known for its bazaars, street food, shopping venues and its Islamic architecture. The transition is big. Just when I thought I had already seen all the hustle and bustle in the city, something revealed itself that transcended everything within me. It was just 'everywhere' next to, in front of, behind and I felt even above me! There was movement everywhere and an excessive sound of horns honking in moving vehicles from cars, tuk-tuks, scooters, motorbikes. It all made noise. It was overwhelming and almost impossible to comprehend. All systems in me were overloaded. So many stimuli that I was 'too' busy to take in anything around me.
Using GPS we made our way through the people and rickshaws to 'Karims', famous for its excellent food and voted 'Best food of the Empire' by Time Magazine. Their slogan promises that no matter your mood, you'll leave with a smile. Despite the rave reviews, the restaurant is surprisingly difficult to find, hidden down a small alley. Simple from the outside, Karims does not stand out from other eateries. During the trip I regularly ask Raj if the food is spicy. He chooses me, so I immerse myself completely in Indian cuisine. The food is delicious, which confirms Time Magazine's praise, although my knowledge of Indian cuisine remains limited.
After dinner we took a tuk-tuk to the metro, straight through the hustle and bustle of Delhi. The tranquility of the metro was a welcome change from the hectic streets. The short time in both new and old Delhi allowed us to experience the essence of the city. With many new impressions I prepare for an early night; Tomorrow Agra and the Taj Mahal are on the program. A new day awaits in fascinating India.
Agra - The Taj Mahal
On our last day of the Himalaya Xperience trip we visit Agra, known for the Taj Mahal. The drive from New Delhi takes about 4 hours. Raj arranged a taxi for the day, which proved to be a comfortable and convenient way to travel. We were on the road for a total of 13 hours for about 70 euros. Outside New Delhi the journey becomes more peaceful, and our driver maintains a steady speed of 85 km/h. After a break for milk tea and refreshing coconut water, we continue our journey to Agra.
In addition to the Taj Mahal, Agra, with a population of 1.6 million, is known for its location on the Yamuna River and two other UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. At the Taj Mahal, a long driveway lined with shops, cafes and souvenir shops leads to the entrance. It's best to keep walking and ignore the sellers, although they can be persistent.
Raj's plan was to find a guide that was both good and affordable. After some searching we found someone whose fast-spoken English with an Indian accent was difficult to follow. I tried to understand the sentences I could catch, which may make this narration a little less reliable. The pictures will tell the rest.
This is what I understand about the Taj Mahal: It is an ivory white marble mausoleum on the Yamuna River in Agra, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan is also buried there. The mausoleum is the center of a 17-hectare complex, including a mosque and guest house, surrounded by gardens and a crenellated wall. It has been 22 years in the making and the color changes at sunrise and sunset. We only had an hour to see everything, otherwise we wouldn't have made it back to New Delhi in time.
We spend half an hour at the Agra Fort, where Raj arranges another guide. The guides are persistent, but eventually we find one. Despite the communication challenges, I learn that the fort was built between 1565 and 1571 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and was impressively secured with two moats, one filled with water and the other with Bengal tigers.
Inside the fortress there were high walls from which boiling oil could be poured on enemies. The king, princesses and concubines lived secluded from the outside world, a life that seemed limited despite all the luxury. After half an hour we are outside again, realizing that we have missed much of the real story of the fort.
We start our return journey to New Delhi at 4:00 PM, with a stopover for LPG and a tasting of the South Indian snack 'Samosa' with milk tea. Approaching New Delhi, we end up in the traffic chaos of the city. We arrive at our hotel at 9pm and decide to have dinner there, followed by packing and a late drive to the airport. Even at night the city remains lively.
This trip to India, a country of 1.4 billion people, made a deep impression on me. From the pristine Himalayas to the encounters with various religions and the experiences at the school for the blind, it was an emotional and enriching first acquaintance. This adventure, made possible by Raj and his friends, is a wonderful chapter in my life and a great start for the Himalaya Xperience. Thanks to India and Raj for this unforgettable adventure.
We'll be back...🌈!!!
