New Delhi

It is Sunday. We have been to New Delhi on Monday and tomorrow is Monday again. We need to decide what are we going to see in New Delhi, because many places are closed tomorrow. Zuzka decided we are going to Lotus Temple again, because she needs to see it from inside.

Lotus Temple

We took pre-paid taxi and driver tried to get us there. Wherever Lotus Temple is... He asked other taxi driver as we waiting on lights, then he pulled to gas station and called somebody from there. Eventually we got there, but smog was so thick we could not see the building. I just recognized surroundings from previous visit.

It was full of people this time. Security slightly checked our backpacks, I was not satisfied with security, but at least we did not need to unpack, remove alcohol and pocket knives :-)

We put our shoes into backpacks as we were instructed by staff (quicker than complicate our life with lockers). and queued to get into temple. Unfortunately photography was prohibited, it was very nice inside.

As we went out it was already dark, so we applied DEET, which attracted attention of security too, but he decided we are probably not going to flame ourselves so he lost his interest.

Red Fort

Travel book Zuzka had stated that Red Fort is opened till 9pm or so (it was strange, what historic place is open so long?) so our next destination is going to be Red Fort.

Finding rickshaw was a bit more tricky this time, because of many people were leaving. It took us about five minutes to stop one and not being overtaken by someone else. We wanted to pay 100 Rs, but we happily agreed with 150Rs (13km). It was our fastest ride in rickshaw and still it took rather long time to get there.

From distance people tried to tell us it is closed, but we went to gate where guards (police?) told us it is closed but Light and Sounds show starts in about 1 hour. And we need to leave our baggage in lockers. I was not sure about that, but we were there so why not? We have bought tickets, left our baggage in empty left luggage (police was there) and went in.

While we were waiting for beginning I called to our hostel we will arrive late. I did not want to risk staying on street in Pahar Ganj area.

Show was interesting, but a bit weak. I hoped for more light effects :-)

My sole sharp photo from light show. Not the best, but at least I can show something. 1.3s hand held.

To the hostel

We found rickshaw to New Delhi Railways Station easily. It is close to our hostel and by asking to go to station I could be more confident he will not take us to some fake hostel.

To our surprise station did not look like it was last time. I pulled out compass and learned we are on other side and we need to find a way to Main Bazaar. We asked individual who approached us how to get to Conaught Place. I did not plan to tell him where we want to go! His response was not very helpful, because we did not want him to send us to information centre or to hotel of his preference... So we decided to go around and asked later other people how to get to Main Bazaar (Zuzka's idea and it worked). They told us where to go.

As we got to Main Bazaar we had some troubles to find the 4th street between houses to get to hostel, fortunately we had name of street and people told us we went too far. So we returned and found it finally. Receptionist was quite nice, but I did not plan to believe him a lot. Room was very small and basic, but it was our cheapest place we stayed at.