This morning we could not make tea as the kettle was not boiling properly, so we went downstairs to find the restaurant for breakfast. We were shown to a light area facing the sunshine and served our teas.
The breakfast buffet area was extensive, catering for every possible taste. We started with our usual selection of fresh fruit and yogurt accompanied by water melon juice and sweet lime juice.
Omelettes were prepared to order, tomato, mushroom and a touch of chili, with potatoes and grilled tomato. There was a large selection of white, brown and sourdough bread with preserves. Our teas were topped up by the waiters on request.
We went back quickly to our room so that we could be downstairs in time to meet Gauram from Distant frontiers, who went through our itinerary and gave us our train tickets and a map of India. Rajini, our guide for the day, was already waiting for us.
Mr. Madan, our driver arrived very smartly dressed in his white jacket, driving the white Toyota limousine and took us to the Jama Masjid mosque in Old Delhi, driving past the Red Fort. Rajini advised that a tour of the Red Fort would take over an hour as we would be seeing the identical Red Fort at Agra, and would not be worthwhile as much of the Old Delhi Red Fort was under renovation.
We left our mobile phones and other things in the car as we would be charged a camera fee for them and just took the main camera into the Mosque. The main building was quite small but the paved courtyard could hold 20,000 worshippers on a busy day. We took off our shoes and put on socks and Alison covered up with acceptable clothing.
Rajini then hailed two cycle rickshaws to take us around the Chandni Chowk markets. As it was a Saturday, the crowds were intense, rickshaws, scooters and Tuk-Tuks were fighting over the narrow streets.
We have always found everyone in India so polite, genteel and courteous, but … when they get behind a wheel, everything changes. No one gives way everyone toots horns, shouts overtakes cuts in blocks the road resulting in a near permanent gridlock.
The markets themselves were amazing, the market is divided into different area, each specializing in a different commodity, we would walk through market areas and then meet our rickshaw driver, drive a short distance and then walk some more. No one worries if you just look and don’t buy as there are so many people buying.
After an hour or so in the markets, we tried to head back to meet the car, but got stuck in a complete gridlock with cars, carts, rickshaws, scooters and tuk-tuks all enmeshed. Our rickshaw driver did a U-turn and then took us through a narrow lane, past stalls selling car parts, ending up at the metro station, Rajini having phoned our driver and sent him back to the hotel.
Rajini bought our metro passes and we were soon back outside the hotel, where we arrived a good 15 minutes before Mr. Madan
When our driver arrived, he confirmed that he would be picking us up tomorrow at 8:00 to drive us to Agra. So it will be an early start.
Back in our room, we changed quickly and headed down to the swimming pool for the remainder of the afternoon. The evening was rounded off with a splendid Indian meal at Danielles , featuring silver service and a trio of drums, accordion and sitar.
Alarm set for 6:15 in the morning for our early start.