Back to Delhi to shop


We went back to Delhi upon completion of Jaipur leg of the tour, because well Delhi is our exit point.

The drive from Jaipur to Delhi was long and unlike the drive from Delhi to Agra, it wasn't as scenic. To prove a point, I don't have any drive by shots to share with the exception of this one.

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It was past 1 pm when we arrived at the hotel. Goodbyes were said, Ashok was our companion for a week and he won't be the one to drive us to the airport the next day.

Our plan was to explore the area where our hotel was located, which was Karol Bagh, but I developed a nasty headache that didn't dissipate despite the 2 aspirins I took after a late room service lunch. And so the rest of the day was spent inside the room watching some Olympic events on tv while the hubs took to napping.

10:45 pm was our flight the following day, so we have the entire day to do as we please. Our friend back home arranged for her cousin to show us around town, but all we wanted to see was Dilli Haat.

According to wiki:

Dilli Haat is an open-air food plaza and craft bazaar located in Delhi, run by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC). At present Delhi has two such bazaars, one near the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Sri Aurobindo Marg, opposite INA Market on Sri Aurobindo Marg established in 1994. The second, Dilli Haat is situated in Pitampura, in North Delhi, at Netaji Subash Place was established in April 2008. Dilli Haat has permanent food stalls representing each state of India, giving a complete variety of tastes available all over India, while the crafts stall change every 15 days.

We went to the first branch and shopped small items as we didn't have anymore room in our luggage. I bought earrings from here, but I misplaced them. They were for co-workers.

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Just outside the entry to Dilli (Hindi for Delhi) Haat (Hindi for flea market), one can get a mehndi and/or hair braids.

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Our gracious host was unrelenting in her effort to show us the "mall". While back home we weren't really mall people, there was no reason why we shouldn't visit one here in India.

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Jolly our host took us to a place where there were three malls side by side by side. We entered through here I believe.

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A mall is a mall anywhere you go, so generic. We walked around, up and down, went to a pet accessories store, got some cds in a music store and visited the food court for a little bite.

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The McDonald's menu is obviously missing the beef burger.

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Here is where we got our kabab rolls. Note there is brain curry in the menu, did not do an Andrew Zimmern here.

This travel was made through a local travel agency, EXOTIC INDIA JOURNEY, which I found by googling "travel packages India". The website did not indicate the price as it varies on the type of accommodations one requires. From the first moment that my email inquiry got a response, I've gotten good customer service. The 7-day package (hotels with breakfast, private car and driver with tour guides in every attraction and shuttle to and from airport) that we signed up for was considered the BUDGET PACKAGE and we paid $310 pp. The hotels we were billeted were: KINGSTON PARK in New Delhi, TAJ RESORTS in Agra and GLITZ HOTEL in Jaipur.

Other expenses we incurred were entry fees to World Heritage Site attractions (the local tour guides are part of the package) which wasn't too much and have the tour guide buy the tickets to get discount. Breakfast from hotels was heavy we didn't have to eat a single lunch meal the entire week. Dinner was from hotel's room service. Every single hotel has wonderful top notch room service. We spent at most $10 a meal for both of us and we were satisfied.

Our driver Ashok was the best. He was very accommodating, engaging and very curious as to what lies outside of the Indian subcontinent. I hope that someday our paths would cross again.

Needless to say, I got lucky that I chose Exotic India Journey (because I inquired with 2 other local agencies) to show me India's architectural jewels. I highly recommend them. They are very professional and accommodating. Case in point, I love drive by shooting. Ashok would stop in the middle of the national road just so I can get the shot, even though I insisted I could shoot from a moving vehicle.

Thank you India for a lifetime of wonderful memories.

Comments

  1. You have great day after all of this. Amazing shots you have here.

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  2. I very much enjoyed catching up on your travels in India. You had a fabulous trip, and your photos are marvelous.

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  3. OMG your ring is too good. Great Shots! that is why i say a tourist should be photographer as well to make he get the best picture which worth sharing.

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  4. It's quite irresistible not to buy any gifts to take home from India, isn't it? Not only are they cheap, they're really something unique. Bought plenty of bags myself which I gave to friends :)

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  5. i agree with you in believing that going to local markets is always far better than going to a mall (except if you're watching a movie or buying particular things of course). one can easily know pertinent things about a place by setting foot on its market.

    i like those wind chimes!

    i hope i can swing back to this blog series again in the future and will make it a reference definitely when i get a blessing to experience india too.

    thanks for generously sharing your adventures, maria! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. i agree with you in believing that going to local markets is always far better than going to a mall (except if you're watching a movie or buying particular things of course). one can easily know pertinent things about a place by setting foot on its market.

    i like those wind chimes!

    i hope i can swing back to this blog series again in the future and will make it a reference definitely when i get a blessing to experience india too.

    thanks for generously sharing your adventures, maria! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I get surprised about contrasts everywhere in India. I am a coward for tatoos, but I would do one of those, for a few days :) Hugs.

    Val

    Barcelona Daily Photo

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  8. Amazing shot on top! Love it.

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  9. I thought your photos are gif. They are moving when I looked at them the first time. India breathes life and so are your photos.

    Love your stories too about your stay here. India is on my list. Wish I'll vist this soon. :)

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  10. I love getting your recommendation, Maria, because word of mouth is always the best! You'll never forget this trip...and neither will I. The architecture in particular was better than I ever would have imagined. Nor have I seen it before elsewhere. So THANK YOU for a great rendition. You make a wonderful tourist guide yourself! :)

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