India at last

Delhi: Arrived Delhi on 26th after a slight delay on the flight out due to a medical emergency ( a lady passenger had collapsed ) but we still arrived in good time. Caught a shared taxi with an Argentinian lady Mariana to the exclusive backpacker area of Delhi Pahar Ganj. Did a bit of local exploring to get the feel of the place, not as hectic or demanding as we expected. The main bazaar area was typically noisy, chaotic and colourful.n the evening we found a superb bar and had a few ice cold beers to cap off a really good day.

Main Bazaar Pahar Ganj Delhi

Next day we tackled the tourist sights of Delhi with relish and renewed enthusiasm. First up was the Qutb Minar a building some 2500 years old, next Humayans Tomb, an impressive structure comprising of a courtyard of buildings and tombs. From there we went to Raj Ghat to see Mahatma Ghandis cremation site and memorial. With the temperature now in the 30's we headed off to the Red Fort in Old Delhi, a massive red sandstone fort which filled the horizon. In the evening we headed back to the bar for a well deserved meal and a few more beers. Met up with a Belgian guy called Bernhard who had ridden his Russian made motorbike through Iran ( just as the national election results were released ) and from there to India via Pakistan, the guys a nutter !.
Qutb Minar Delhi


Humayans Tomb, looks a bit like the Taj !


Red Fort Delhi

Next day after a slow start ( possibly something to do with the amount of beer we drank with Bernhard the previous evening) . Caught the Delhi Metro to Chandri Chowk and walked to the hugely impressive Jama Masjid mosque. It was here we had to don suitable gowns and remove our footwear, doesn't sound to bad but the sandstone flooring was so hot we both burnt our feet !

Jama Masjid Mosque Delhi

Mal gets into cross dressing??


Mathura: Caught the early morning train to Mathura. Hired a rickshaw to see the famous Vishram Ghat along the sacred Yamuna River, quite an experience. Then proceeded on to the reputed birth place of Krishna and the Sri Krishna Janmbhoomie Temple complex. We were not allowed to take a camera into the temple complex, which is a shame as it was really impressive.


Vishram Ghat Mathura


The sacred Cow, these creatures really are revered