Indian Odyssey Part 1: Delightful Delhi

A March 2006 trip to Delhi by Funky Monkey

Quote: Part 1 of my school trip to India took me to New Delhi, the Nation's proud capital. Sights, sounds, and smells struck me with the force of a steam train as I tried to absorb the exhilarating experience.

Indian Odyssey Part 1: Delightful Delhi

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Overview

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The highlight of my trip to Delhi was probably the visit to the Gandhi Memorial. I'd seen pictures of it on TV, but I didn't realise how peaceful and serene it was in real life. Gandhi is quite rightly a national hero in India, and it's amazing to think that one man liberated a whole country. I also enjoyed the meals. Unlike many of my class mates (some of whom described the food as "minging" and only ate naan bread and rice), I relished the opportunity to try some real Indian curry. I'd never realised just how many "curries" had actually been invented back in England. Needless to say, the counterfeit Korma that you can buy from your local Balti House just can't compare with the vibrant colours ...Read More

I also enjoyed the meals. Unlike many of my class mates (some of whom described the food as "minging" and only ate naan bread and rice), I relished the opportunity to try some real Indian curry. I'd never realised just how many "curries" had actually been invented back in England. Needless to say, the counterfeit Korma that you can buy from your local Balti House just can't compare with the vibrant colours and tastes of the real thing. My personal favourite was Lamb Rogan Josh.

Quick Tips:

Don't be fooled by that last paragraph into thinking all Indian food is superb. Never eat from street vendors, or anything that looks remotely suspicious, as the hygiene standards just aren't the same as they are in the Western world. Also, allow your stomach to adjust to the radically different menu to avoid getting "Delhi Belly". If one thing is going to ruin your visit to India then it's most likely to be something that you ate. Eating a spicy, rich, meaty curry is a surefire way to holiday hell.

Tips. There's a word that brings back memories. Use my tale of misfortune to help you to avoid similar fiscal fiascoes: I lost a £20 note to a porter outside Delhi Airport, because I didn't have smaller change, and he had very quick fingers. From then I learnt to keep my wallet safely tucked away, and to be discreet when getting out any money. I also divide up my money into smaller denominations. Usually about 50 rupees is more than enough of a tip, as a little money goes a very long way. As a charitable afterthought, my £20 probably paid for that porter's meals for a month.

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving in India is an experience that I will never forget. Road safety rules are extremely loose, and I wouldn't recommend hiring a car to drive yourself. Indian drivers seem to be very good at driving very badly, weaving in and out of the traffic as if they were filming a Bollywood version of Speed. Huge buses take on the characteristics of bicycles, and seem to be able to turn on a sixpence, whilst mopeds and scooters desperately try to avoid trucks that all seem to feature the sign "Please Use Horn" on the backs. As you arrive in India for the first time, you may be forgiven for thinking that the on road ruckus is a full scale riot, but using the car horn in India just means "I'm over here, please don't crash into me". Trust me, after seeing an Indian traffic jam, your journey to work each morning will seem like a Sunday afternoon drive.

Taxis come in the form of 3 wheeled green and yellow buggies, which hurtle around the busy streets at incredible speeds. We used our coach to get everywhere in Delhi, and used the train to get to Agra and Pathankot.

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Ashok Country Resort

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Hotel

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The Ashok Country Resort was the first place that I stayed on my visit to India, and I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the rooms were despite the stifling heat. All of the rooms are air-conditioned, and all have a TV. As this was our first time in India the dozens of Bollywood channels had us amused and entertained, although the novelty had worn off by the end of the week. The hotel caters for all types of visitor, from families, to couples to business travellers (the hotel also has a conference room), and even our teenage school group had to admire the beautiful grounds that the hotel is situated in. The pool, where most of us spent our first "relaxation day" is surrounded on one si...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 15, 2006

Ashok Country Resort
30, Rajokri Road

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