A turbulent ride over our blue planet, and another stamp has been added to my passport. I have arrived in the land of spice and checked into my hotel, aptly named "Hotel Perfect," in New Delhi. Surprisingly, I stumbled upon another festival happening here. It is the 78th year of the Durga Puja Celebration, and the streets are crowded even at this late hour. However, there is an inexplicable sense of tranquility in the air, suggesting that tonight is unusually calm.
View from the roof top of my hotel “Hotel Perfect”
One thing they don't tell you about festivals in India is that everything is closed during the day. I embarked on a quest for food at 8 am, although I wasn't searching very diligently. Somehow, I found myself more than 20 kilometers away from my hotel, visiting Rasina Hill and the India Gate along the way. I made my way back through Connaught Place, encountering a couple of rickshaws on my self-made adventure. However, I've now decided to alleviate the stress of traveling by booking a tour.
Here's a BIG tip for anyone planning a trip to India: Money. Yes, it's an important aspect. Don't purchase all your currency back home. Australian banks cannot provide Indian rupees, and the travel exchange offers only large denominations with a terrible exchange rate. Instead, wait until you reach an ATM here. I received double the exchange rate for one-third of the amount compared to AUD.
Another additional tip: Believe it or not, internet access is scarce. So, if you're someone who relies heavily on the internet, be prepared to experience disconnection.
Now, there are two things that people mostly talk about when it comes to India: food and its people. Therefore, I'm considering creating a slideshow featuring the meals I enjoy along the way. Let the feasting begin!
Now, today is a new day, and we are ready to explore India with my five fellow travelers. We are going to have a ball! Our group consists of four Aussies and one American, and we're excited to let the good times roll under the guidance of our fearless leader, Akhilesh from Intrepid. Our first stop is the vibrant combination of New and Old Delhi.
From left to right, our itinerary includes Rashina Hill, India Gate, the Rajpath Canopy, Old Delhi, and the Jama Masjid Mosque.
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From New Delhi to Varanasi, we embarked on a 13-hour journey aboard a sleeper train spanning 820 kilometers. What an experience it was! Not only did it save us travel time, but it also allowed us to go to sleep and wake up in a brand new city. This time, we were ready to explore the holy city, with its burning grounds, interconnected markets, bustling sidewalks that double as roads, and vibrant shopping hubs. As we ventured through the streets, we encountered the occasional cow, goat, and pig leisurely strolling around.
Varanasi truly has it all, and now it is home to six more awesome people who are eagerly exploring its wonders. Today, we had the opportunity to reach the famous Ganga River—a place filled with profound cultural significance. Observing how people honor their loved ones and witnessing the vibrant life on the river banks was both fascinating and deeply moving.
Last night, we all hopped into two of India's famous tuk-tuks and had a thrilling race from our hotel to the Ganga River for a special night event. My tuk-tuk might have emerged victorious, but only because the other one ran out of petrol and transformed into a push cart. Nonetheless, it was an unforgettable evening. We gathered by the riverbank, witnessing the moon gracefully ascending above the boats sailing up and down the river. People were searching for the perfect spot to witness tonight's Ganga Aarti, a prayer ceremony. While some opted for a more daring approach, sitting naked in front of everyone (definitely not me), I was content enjoying our pizza and apple pies.
The atmosphere was mesmerizing as candles were lit and set afloat on the river's surface. Others danced while holding cobra-shaped candle holders, each adorned with a hundred flickering heads.
We were fortunate enough to sleep in, as our originally planned early morning sunrise boat tour along the Ganga River was disrupted due to the flooding caused by the river being 20 meters above its normal level. The surrounding area was covered in mud, obscuring the large steps that would usually be visible. Our tour guide improvised and took us on a journey to Shaakya, the land of Buddhist temples. It was a fascinating experience, filled with rich history and lush green grass.
But the day didn't end there. One of us overheard the word "pool," and that was all it took to spark our interest. We made our way to the palace of Jung Bahadur Rana, a magnificent structure built back in 1816. There, we spent our time relaxing by the pool, sipping on refreshing Kingfisher beers. As the day progressed, we indulged in classic screwdrivers and martinis while feasting on a banquet fit for royalty, because, in our own way, we felt like royalty.
Let's forget about the sleep-in and instead focus on the early morning adventure. Despite the grogginess, we set our alarms for 4 am and mustered the energy to get out of the hotel. Hopping into a couple of tuk-tuks, we zipped down the surprisingly empty roads of Varanasi, heading towards a breathtaking sunrise.
And what a perfect sunrise it was! The sky painted in vibrant hues, casting a mesmerizing glow over the city. It was a moment of tranquility and awe as we witnessed the sun's golden rays emerging on the horizon.
It was time once again to board another sleeper train, this time for a 17-hour journey from Varanasi to Agra, the home of the magnificent Taj Mahal—one of the seven wonders of the world. The train ride proved to be longer than anticipated, with constant rocking and swaying throughout the journey. Surprisingly, one of our Fitbits recorded 8,489 steps, not bad for a night's rest on a moving train.
Due to the delay, our tour guide informed us that we only had a few hours until sunset and that there is a three-hour limit for visiting the Taj Mahal. Considering our limited time, we would have approximately two and a half hours to explore the magnificent monument. However, all I heard was "sunset at the Taj Mahal," and my excitement soared. For me, it was perfect timing.
"Our guide recommended staying at a palace for a day," and we eagerly followed his advice. Boarding a private bus, we embarked on a long drive from Agra to Tordi, a charming countryside town nestled in the heart of India. As we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms and treated like royalty, as they had arranged for us to stay in a magnificent palace. The grandeur and opulence were truly overwhelming.
In the meantime, while our meals were being prepared, they took us on an adventure through the town in jeeps, showing us the local sights and attractions. It was a thrilling experience, immersing ourselves in the beauty and culture of the region.
To top it all off, they treated us to a serene experience by the edge of a lake, where we savored delicious cups of chai while watching the sun gracefully set. It was a moment of pure relaxation and tranquility, leaving us in awe of the breathtaking surroundings.
What a remarkable and rejuvenating day it was!
We proceeded to Jaipur, eager to explore the enchanting Pink City from a different perspective—by air, in a hot air balloon. Rising early, we found the sun already high in the sky, contradicting the darkness that enveloped us. Confused but hopeful, we watched as they inflated the balloon, their faces reflecting a sense of anticipation. However, our hopes were soon dashed as news reached us that a hole had been discovered—an unfillable hole that rendered the balloon unfit for flight.
Disheartened, we retreated to our cars and returned to the hotel with our heads hanging low. Fatigue settled in, and many of us dozed off, unable to shake off the disappointment that marked the beginning of our day. Yet, we were determined not to let this setback dampen our spirits. We pressed on with our adventure, exploring the city's captivating landmarks, such as the Hawa Mahal and the magnificent Amber Fort.
Well, it's quite unbelievable, but in India, a taxi ride spanning 5 hours and 271 kilometers only costs $127 AUD (6000 rupees). When we learned of this, we exchanged surprised glances and posed a serious question to one another: Should we embark on a 6-hour train ride back to Delhi and conclude our tour, or should we give hot air ballooning another shot and arrange for a taxi to take us back to Delhi later in the day? What would you do?
In the end, we decided to seize the opportunity and have the time of our lives by taking to the skies in a hot air balloon, soaring high above the Jaipur countryside. Experiencing the breathtaking bird's-eye view was an unforgettable way to conclude our tour. The sheer joy and exhilaration of the balloon ride made it a perfect ending to our incredible journey.
