Delhi- briefly- and north to Kashmir
>p>Well I missed the paint of Happy Holi by one day, but I did see some dogs that were interesting colours.
Delhi was mental- from the hair raising taxi and rickshaw rides, to everyone trying to sell you stuff. The place I stayed the first night wasn’t too bad, but not really that impressive. Half the people looked like they’d spent too long in the city- looking a bit dazed. My second day I saw some of the sights, India Gate,
Presidents Building, Red Fort
and some markets.
Mostly for free which I’ll come to in a minute.
Everything is really hard work in this city- there are touts everywhere- I spent an hour trying to get to the OFFICIAL toursit office, armed with a map and an address. After getting taken to lots of fake travel agents, I got to the street it should be on but it wasn’t there! It had been replaced by a “Governement Approved” place- still I went in to see about train tickets to Agra and Rajasthan- but as it’s the end of the Holi Festival and the weekend I would have had to wait at least 4 days…. not something I fancied. So instead, after poring over a map with the man he sugegsted I did pretty much what I wanted to do, but the northern part in reverse. So after arranging a very cheap flight, and throwing in a free old city tour with my own guide as the tickets were taking ages to come through, he offered that I could stay at someones house for the night, and eat a proper Indian meal with a family. So I checked out of my hotel, Ajays on Main Bazaar in Pahar Ganj, and went to someones house for the night which was interesting. I even ate with my hands even though they gave me a knife and fork! Remembering to use my right hand as the left is used for “toilet duties”.
This morning I boarded a flight north to Srinigar. If you remember Michael Palins program “Himalaya” you’ll remember the house boats – and how empty they were. Well things are a bit busier now. The deal is I get my own house boat for five nights for 12 pounds a night, with meals included, and am looked after by the family who own the boats. Seven people flew up today on the same deal, but I’m the only one at this place “The New Majestic House Boats”. I think I will stay for a bit longer though- the chap who owns them sat down with me and has suggested some places to take me, some valleys and temples and a three day trek further north (though not very high as it’s still snowing). It’s a little more than I planned on spending, but seems too good an opportunity to miss. But I’m going to look in my guide book this evening, see if there is anything not worth seeing- and they’ll help me buy a train ticket or bus ticket further south wherever I want to go next. The house boat is lovely, all old wood carvings- British Made I am told!
Tags: Travel
Nick