We started off our time in Old Delhi with a 630am Delhi By Bicycle tour.
This was the best thing I did in my
three days in Delhi. In fact this was the ONLY fun thing I did in Delhi,
because, lets face it, Old Delhi is a hellhole of honking horns,
pollution, excrement, and misery. BUT, this bike tour starts early in
the morning when the streets are (relatively) empty and you can cycle
freely without risking your life. It was so much fun to pedal through
tight back alleys and see the city waking up. People showering in the
street, an open slaughterhouse, temple goers, lots to see.
Our great guide
Bedi. I would have done a different tour every day, if they weren't
already sold out! Book early.
I'm on a bike!
Turn right at the white cow.
Dark alleys abound
This gentleman has no idea what his shirt says, but he was happy to pose for a picture.
After the bike tour we hit the Red Fort.
It is red.
And huge. You could spend all day here.
A pleasant hassle free place to walk around. And that is saying something in India!
Of course, eventually Aaron ended up in the jail.
I bet the moat was pretty cool back in the day.
This is the view from the tower of the Jama Masjid. It opened in 1656. The folks that manage this mosque are unapologetic assholes. You have to pay to get in. If you are not properly dressed some guy will grab you, start yelling at you, and make you put on a dirty sheet, which of course you will have to pay for. When you get to the tower, you'll have to take your shoes off. Fine, but you can't carry them into the tower, you have to leave them with a guy. Who will then charge you to get your shoes back. Meanwhile, you'll be hassled but a half dozen men wanting to be your tour guide who won't take no for an answer. I recommend skipping this place.
Jama Masjid
On Day 2 in Delhi we visited Humayun's Tomb.
These kids asked us for a photo. I see a couple smiles in there!
After this picture she shouted, "Mommy, I got a picture with the big hairy man!"
Aaron felt the need to be sacrilegious and eat a burger.
Then on to Qtub Minar, A really old minaret.
And finally The Lotus Temple
We ended the night in Hauz Khas, which was billed as "the" nightlife area in New Delhi. Up til now, we have found Indian nightlife to be completely nonexistent. Like ZERO. If you can find a bar, it will have only young Indian males inside, and when you walk in, the music scratches to a halt and everyone stares at you like you have two heads.
Hmmm no towing? They just pop your tires. Nice.
We had very low expectations, but were pleasantly surprised. Hauz Khas has actual bars! With normal people! Drinking! With music! Apparently this is where the upper crust of Delhi society goes. If I ever come back to Delhi, I'm getting a hotel right here. We had a decent time, hopping between bars, restaurants and even a dance club.
