Day 2 - Sightseeing in Delhi

We both woke early, still trying to adjust to the time difference and excited by the day ahead. Our trusty driver Vankar arrived with our guide for the day at 9.30am. We headed for the Jama Misjad, one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656 at a cost of 1 million rupees. The mosque was completed in 1656 AD with three great gates, four towers and two 40 meter high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble.The courtyard can accommodate more than 25,000 persons. 

Two young, but well dressed Indian men followed us around, eventually asking if I would pose for a photograph with them, this was to be the first of many throughout the day.

After leaving the mosque we had a unique glance of local life, exploring the bustling life of Chandi Chowk by rickshaw, this was quite an experience, racing along busy roads and very narrow but crowded alley ways. It was a little like a roller coaster ride.

During the wild ride, we stopped outside interesting shops for very brief photo opportunities. The sari shops were impressive and dazzling.

Another brief stop was at a tiny Hindu Temple.

The day was starting to really heat up and arriving at Humayun's tomb. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect chosen by Bega Begum. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and it was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993,

It was a very popular place to visit and their were many students on excursion. I particularly enjoyed talking with some second year university students who were studying architecture and drawing this amazing building.

Inside the tomb was equally beautiful. 

Day 1 - Arriving in Delhi....

After roughly 20 hours of travel we arrived at Indira Ghandi International Airport.

It was not as crazy As I was expecting but all the same it was great to met by a representative from the tour company we are using. An air conditioned vehicle was waiting to drive us for roughly 45 minutes to our hotel. 6am it was already a warm 32 degrees!

After an enlightening drive we arrived at beautiful Maidens Hotel. This heritage hotel originally opened in 1903 and is heritage listed and is a showcase of 19th century colonial charm and architecture. 

After a superb breakfast and a rest we spent some time exploring the hotel and enjoyed looking at the many photographs that illustrate the history of the hotel and Delhi. We were finding the heat a challenge and after a walk around the magnificent grounds had a swim - but we weren't to keen to put our head under the water - just being careful!

We were then collected by our driver, Vanka to visit the jewellery store I have been admiring for many months on the Internet - Amrapali. This jewellery house founded in the year 1978 and designs, produces and distributes tribal, fine and uncut gemstone jewelry. The front door was beautiful.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take any photographs inside. It was a dream and very difficult to choose, but I'm glad Garry was in a really good mood and after an hour and a half of choosing the lady serving me was wise and discreet enough not to say the total price of my purchases out loud. Not everything is for me, Mum I really spoilt you and Kerrie Powell I looked after you.

An ice cold beer in the hotel bar, followed by dinner and we were asleep before eight o'clock. Can't wait for tomorrow......