Arrived - New Delhi

 

Day one of our journey and we have arrived in New Delhi. A modern airport with a touch of Dubai about the arrivals area. A very English speaking recorded message broadcasting out over the tannoy. Perhaps New Delhi was going to be a little more modern than we thought. 

As we landed at 1:30 am we could see the lights of New Delhi through what seemed to be a light mist in the air. After collecting our bags, we headed outside to discover the mist was in fact a light but slightly toxic smelling smog [apparently its the post harvest field burning time of year]. New Delhi is a city dependent on road transport, even at 3am our taxi driver weaved through lorries, cars and Tuk Tuks, using his horn to get us to our hotel in the fastest time he could achieve. Chaos theory underpins the road system in New Delhi and everyone is comfortable with it, apart from those in the back of a Taxi who have just arrived,

Flight over

Our view from the room

The Florence Inn

For sure this is a living city and very welcoming, but  to survive they need to be street wise. As two white Europeans we stand out and are a target to be sold too or street curiosities for selfie photos. The streets are full of salesman, who are extremely skilled. A welcoming hello, an offer of help and guidance. At the end of the conversation it turns out they can take you to visit the whole city in their Tuk Tuk, visit the highest quality weaving factories, the best restaurants and shops in Delhi. They can do all this while making you feel that they are only motivated by making you feel welcome in New Delhi. Great people and you have to admire their persistence.

As the day gets later, Delhi bursts into life, the roads evolve into markets full to bursting with people and noise. Sensory overload soon kicks in as you manoeuvre the streets of motor bikes, Tuk Tuks Rickshaws, Dogs, Cows, and thousands of people. Think of Oxford Street at Christmas, add Brick Lane and Petticoat lane, then multiply and it’s unlikely you are close.

The magnificent Jama Masjid Mosque 

Rickshaw ride with our tour guide Arvi

Spice Market

A great day, only dinner to go and then hopefully sleep to clear the jet lag. Tomorrow we head by Train to Agra.

Mixed Emotions

Today was a first, I declared myself unemployed. I publicly announced my leaving and my role is now being advertised to find a replacement. Even more bizarrely I wrote the job spec for the advert. My last working day is the 28th October, two days before we fly. It seems strange that I will be walking away from a job which has been completely consuming for the last 6.5 years, but the idea of waking up on Monday morning without it is very exciting.

The travel itinerary is finalised and we now have Visas for India and Vietnam. A Cambodia Visa is the last one we need. The India Visa process was a brief introduction into what we can expect in India. To be honest I didn’t make it easy for myself by making a minor mistake on the application form, but the result was a two week delay,  many hours queuing and waiting in a chaotic room, plus many emails which seemed be ignored. My passport is now back and I feel I have had the smallest peek at what David our travel advisor refers to as crazy fun in New Delhi and the wider India. 

The final decision is what baggage to take. Rucksack or suitcase? Are we backpacking or just going on a long holiday. Probably the later, but a rucksack would make it feel like backpacking. So the compromise is a hold-all with handle and wheels. For sure this is a first world problem. 

So we are nearly ready to go. I have even bought a new pair of shoes for the journey..Roll on the 30th.