Hi all!
Rory is currently writing an epic novel of the first two days in Delhi, so there's not much left to tell! I don't remember much from the last time I came here except that we stayed in a cockroach infested hotel above a McDonalds. This time, there's no cockroaches to be seen-yet. The hotel is in Para Ganj, a busy, bustling market selling everything from tourist crap to electronics (kahn like place for those who know Egypt), frequented by many whiteys- mostly of the backpacker variety with baggy trousers and unkempt beards.
Today we did New Delhi starting at Connaught place, a missive three-tiered roundabout in the Centre of Delhi filled with plenty of shops, restaurants and 'helpful' people (see Rory's entry). We did the main mosque, church and sikh temple in Delhi which were all beautiful, especially the Hindu temple which is so different to the ones I'm used to from South India. Then Pizza-hut for dinner- very un-Indian I know.
Hope all is good in your end of the worlds! Cheerio xx
Monday, 30 July 2007
Delhi
Well, we made it!
The flight was great, loads of legroom and TVs in the back of the seats where you choose what you want to watch, and when, etc. Of course, neither of us could sleep, but there was plenty to keep us occupied.
And we arrived in Delhi. After finally getting our bags, we were met at the airport by someone from the hotel, who drove us in. It's so different here - even after a day and a half I'm starting to get used to the place, but it's still fascinating. First off, the driving is just as incredible as you've probably heard. Cars, auto-rickshaws, motorbikes and scooters (and buses) zoom around within inches of each other - there must be a method to the madness because we haven't seen any accidents, but the cars are very battered about (and often where there isn't)...our first few auto-rickshaw rides saw me holding on very tight!
The hostel/hotel is fine - the area that it's in has loads of backpackers and whiteys. It's down a narrow street crammed with shops and stalls and people and rickshaws, you have to watch where you're stepping all the time to avoid dogs and kids and holes and ruts and things - it's not paved - at least, not very. Inside the hostel, the room is fine - it does have a round bed for some reason. Apart from that, it has a very loud air conditioning unit and the shower has two taps that both spurt nearly-cold water, but it's sufficient for our needs. It also has a small restaurant that seems to open whenever customers are around, and the first meal we had - a very unspicy curry - was very nice!
One of the most difficult things to get used to is how you frequently get called at. Mostly people want you to buy things, and although rarely impolite, they are insistent and will stand in your way or hold their wares out at you. People will stop in the street or walk up to you and talk
at you, "Where do you want to go?" and rickshaws do suicidal U-turns to persuade you to get in. I'm sure that some people are just being civil - it's a chance to practice their English, after all (which is usually very good) - and one guy walked with us to show us the way to the tourist office and the bank, and he constantly assured us that he didn't want anything for his troubles (which he didn't) but lots of people seem to have their own agenda, directing you again and again towards tourist offices or to their shops, so it's easier to ignore people, and to be guarded all the time. One rickshaw took us to completely the wrong place, putting us down next to a tourist office probably a mile from where we wanted to be. I'll learn from that one - I'm not getting out until I can see the building that I requested to go to, in future! It can be wearing, but I guess I'll get used to it.
There's also quite a few beggars, and they are just as forthright. It is a shock to see people lying on the street or in subways, there are quite a few people around missing bits of themselves, and to see people scavenging from the piles of detritus that are dotted around on the streets is particularly heart-breaking.
It's not all bad, though! Everywhere is so colourful and bright, and seeing dilapidated huts with "Delhi Transport Police" on them all over the place is great! You have to embrace the spirit of the place - walk round the cows that wander on the pavements, and carefully step over the foot-high wall that's inexplicably sticking out of the pavement. If you manage to cross the road, even at a pedestrian crossing, you may well find that it ends with a railing between you and the pavement...
We've been to some mosques, temples, churches etc and some other monuments (and a pizza hut) but our time's run out at the internet cafe so they'll have to wait till another post.
Cheerio till next time, hope everything's good in England!
The flight was great, loads of legroom and TVs in the back of the seats where you choose what you want to watch, and when, etc. Of course, neither of us could sleep, but there was plenty to keep us occupied.
And we arrived in Delhi. After finally getting our bags, we were met at the airport by someone from the hotel, who drove us in. It's so different here - even after a day and a half I'm starting to get used to the place, but it's still fascinating. First off, the driving is just as incredible as you've probably heard. Cars, auto-rickshaws, motorbikes and scooters (and buses) zoom around within inches of each other - there must be a method to the madness because we haven't seen any accidents, but the cars are very battered about (and often where there isn't)...our first few auto-rickshaw rides saw me holding on very tight!
The hostel/hotel is fine - the area that it's in has loads of backpackers and whiteys. It's down a narrow street crammed with shops and stalls and people and rickshaws, you have to watch where you're stepping all the time to avoid dogs and kids and holes and ruts and things - it's not paved - at least, not very. Inside the hostel, the room is fine - it does have a round bed for some reason. Apart from that, it has a very loud air conditioning unit and the shower has two taps that both spurt nearly-cold water, but it's sufficient for our needs. It also has a small restaurant that seems to open whenever customers are around, and the first meal we had - a very unspicy curry - was very nice!
One of the most difficult things to get used to is how you frequently get called at. Mostly people want you to buy things, and although rarely impolite, they are insistent and will stand in your way or hold their wares out at you. People will stop in the street or walk up to you and talk
at you, "Where do you want to go?" and rickshaws do suicidal U-turns to persuade you to get in. I'm sure that some people are just being civil - it's a chance to practice their English, after all (which is usually very good) - and one guy walked with us to show us the way to the tourist office and the bank, and he constantly assured us that he didn't want anything for his troubles (which he didn't) but lots of people seem to have their own agenda, directing you again and again towards tourist offices or to their shops, so it's easier to ignore people, and to be guarded all the time. One rickshaw took us to completely the wrong place, putting us down next to a tourist office probably a mile from where we wanted to be. I'll learn from that one - I'm not getting out until I can see the building that I requested to go to, in future! It can be wearing, but I guess I'll get used to it.
There's also quite a few beggars, and they are just as forthright. It is a shock to see people lying on the street or in subways, there are quite a few people around missing bits of themselves, and to see people scavenging from the piles of detritus that are dotted around on the streets is particularly heart-breaking.
It's not all bad, though! Everywhere is so colourful and bright, and seeing dilapidated huts with "Delhi Transport Police" on them all over the place is great! You have to embrace the spirit of the place - walk round the cows that wander on the pavements, and carefully step over the foot-high wall that's inexplicably sticking out of the pavement. If you manage to cross the road, even at a pedestrian crossing, you may well find that it ends with a railing between you and the pavement...
We've been to some mosques, temples, churches etc and some other monuments (and a pizza hut) but our time's run out at the internet cafe so they'll have to wait till another post.
Cheerio till next time, hope everything's good in England!
Saturday, 28 July 2007
And they're off...
Today's the day...in a couple of hours we'll be heading for London on the train (getting a slightly different train from the one on our ticket, so fingers crossed) and then the plane leaves at 8:45 this evening, for Delhi...the flight lasts about 11 hours. With any luck, it won't be too full, and it will have TVs in the seat backs with films and computer games and stuff.
In Delhi it's raining heavily, and will be tomorrow ( Indonesia and Bangkok look nice though). It looks like we did catch the monsoon after all.
In Delhi it's raining heavily, and will be tomorrow ( Indonesia and Bangkok look nice though). It looks like we did catch the monsoon after all.
Monday, 23 July 2007
Less than a week!
Less than a week to go! I had been trying to get to Devon on Friday, but eventually gave up because of the flooding that brought the UK to a standstill over the weekend. I got here on Sunday evening, and I brought Alex with me because the trains may still be disrupted on Wednesday.
So, anyway, here we are, and we’ve got a few last-minute bits and pieces to get before we leave, but for the most part, we’ve got everything, and all that’s left is to pack.
Then it’s off to London, and then on to sunnier (and probably smellier) places!
So, anyway, here we are, and we’ve got a few last-minute bits and pieces to get before we leave, but for the most part, we’ve got everything, and all that’s left is to pack.
Then it’s off to London, and then on to sunnier (and probably smellier) places!
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Preliminary Itinerary
Hi All!
OK, this is what we've all been waiting for... After both my credit cards got frozen for suspicion of 'fraudulent use', one maxed out credit card, weeks of heavy planning, and a new intimate knowledge of most of Asia's train lines, I give you the preliminary itinerary (say that ten times fast).
All the travel is booked, except for three flights (two of which is being booked internally in India and one awaiting confirmation). It was hard work.
Basically it goes as following:
India, Malaysia, Singapore, Other bits of Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and a long journey back home.
In more detail::
Delhi, Agra, Bangalore, Mysore, Jungles of India, Chennai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, Perhentian Island, Jungles/Highlands of Malaysia, Jakarta, Bali (maybe Lombok also), Hanoi (and the surrounding area), Bangkok (and the surrounding area), home.
Dates for your diary:
28Jul - Delhi (plane from Heathrow)
01Aug- Agra (train from Delhi)
03Aug-05Aug - Banglaore (train from Agra via Delhi - lovely 28 hour train journey in first class through India)
05Aug - Mysore (train from Bangalore)
05Aug - Mudumalai national park (drive from Mysore to stay in the Jungle!)
08Aug - Coimbatore (drive from Mudumalai national park)
09Aug - Chennai/Madras (plane from Coimbatore -TBC)
12Aug - Kuala Lumpur (plane from Chennai)
17Aug - Singapore (overnight train from Kuala Lumpur)
21Aug - Penang (plane from Singapore- TBC)
25Aug-31Aug - Taman Nagara, Cameron Highlands, Perhentian Island (renting a car for a week to go where the wind takes us, end in Kuala Lumpur)
31Aug - Jakarta (plane from Kuala Lumpur)
03Sep - Bali (plane from Jakarta)
09Sep - Hanoi (plane from Bali via Kuala Lumpur unfortunately). Travel round Vietnam
18Sep - Bangkok (plane from Hanoi). Travel round Thailand
27Sep- Chennai (Plane from Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur)
28Sep- Back home 630pm (Plane from Chennai via Delhi- Chennai to Delhi TBC)
Hope that's clear... As you can see we will probably be sick of Kuala Lumpur airport, but that's ok as its my favourite airport!
I have written up a full itinerary of which Rory's parents and my dad will have a copy, along with copies of all documents... just in case!
Keep watch on this site, as we will update it with all the information you need to know, and feel free to write comments!
OK, this is what we've all been waiting for... After both my credit cards got frozen for suspicion of 'fraudulent use', one maxed out credit card, weeks of heavy planning, and a new intimate knowledge of most of Asia's train lines, I give you the preliminary itinerary (say that ten times fast).
All the travel is booked, except for three flights (two of which is being booked internally in India and one awaiting confirmation). It was hard work.
Basically it goes as following:
India, Malaysia, Singapore, Other bits of Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and a long journey back home.
In more detail::
Delhi, Agra, Bangalore, Mysore, Jungles of India, Chennai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, Perhentian Island, Jungles/Highlands of Malaysia, Jakarta, Bali (maybe Lombok also), Hanoi (and the surrounding area), Bangkok (and the surrounding area), home.
Dates for your diary:
28Jul - Delhi (plane from Heathrow)
01Aug- Agra (train from Delhi)
03Aug-05Aug - Banglaore (train from Agra via Delhi - lovely 28 hour train journey in first class through India)
05Aug - Mysore (train from Bangalore)
05Aug - Mudumalai national park (drive from Mysore to stay in the Jungle!)
08Aug - Coimbatore (drive from Mudumalai national park)
09Aug - Chennai/Madras (plane from Coimbatore -TBC)
12Aug - Kuala Lumpur (plane from Chennai)
17Aug - Singapore (overnight train from Kuala Lumpur)
21Aug - Penang (plane from Singapore- TBC)
25Aug-31Aug - Taman Nagara, Cameron Highlands, Perhentian Island (renting a car for a week to go where the wind takes us, end in Kuala Lumpur)
31Aug - Jakarta (plane from Kuala Lumpur)
03Sep - Bali (plane from Jakarta)
09Sep - Hanoi (plane from Bali via Kuala Lumpur unfortunately). Travel round Vietnam
18Sep - Bangkok (plane from Hanoi). Travel round Thailand
27Sep- Chennai (Plane from Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur)
28Sep- Back home 630pm (Plane from Chennai via Delhi- Chennai to Delhi TBC)
Hope that's clear... As you can see we will probably be sick of Kuala Lumpur airport, but that's ok as its my favourite airport!
I have written up a full itinerary of which Rory's parents and my dad will have a copy, along with copies of all documents... just in case!
Keep watch on this site, as we will update it with all the information you need to know, and feel free to write comments!
Monday, 11 June 2007
Crete!
Yes, this isn't anything to do with going to India and all those places, but I find myself in an internet cafe with time to spare...we're in Crete! We arrived on saturday at some hideous hour of the morning...we hired a car and drove from one side of Crete to the other, with the rising sun behind us. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Alex's Mum's house will eventually include four bed & breakfast rooms, but they're not quite finished yet. When they are, they'll be fantastic. Since arriving we've done as little as possible save playing with kittens and sunbathing and reading. We've just come into Kissamos to buy some supplies and check our email...we're going to the beach later on.
We're here!
later!
We're here!
later!
Sunday, 27 May 2007
The Flights Fantastic
So, we're now starting to book flights. We have already booked the flights to and from India, and the train connections to the airport, but we are struggling to book the flights from India. Most of our flights are with Jet Airways, a leading Indian airline. Although the website appears to be very un-Indian (it looks good, it appears to work) once you get down to the nitty-gritty of actually booking a flight or ten, you realise that it doesn't accept any credit cards known to the western world. Anyone got an Indian credit card we can borrow...?
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