I slept for a good 6 hours but was awake at 4:00 and just could not drift off again. It’s going to take a couple of days to adjust so I will just have to put up with it for now. Breakfast was open from 7:00 and because of the fairly tight schedule this morning, we went as soon as we were able because of our welcome meeting was at 8:00. The first big surprise is there are only 18 of us on this trip. Despite being sold out, there are quite a few that haven’t made it for what ever reason. We are going to have plenty of space when we get to the boat. At 9:00 we set off on our first tour which for the most part was drive around but we did stop at the memorial area was also called Raj Ghat which is a memorial that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation.
After another quick drive after which we went for a rickshaw ride around Old Delhi which was great fun. Smells, sounds and sights a plenty, with people, rickshaws and tuk-tuks coming at you from all angles, how they never crash or make contact is beyond me. I have lots of blurred photos but also some reasonable ones which are posted below.
Our next stop just before the lunch break was Humayun’s tomb which is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. It was commissioned by Humayun’s first wife, the Empress Bega Begum in 1558. Our guide explained its history after which we were given some free time to explore the site.
After lunch we opted along with everyone else to take the optional tour to Qutab Minar which is the highest masonry tower in India. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, such as Alai-Darwaza Gate, (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu’l-Islam, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples. There really are some curious shaped walls where this recycling has occurred.
After arriving back at the hotel at 5:30 we headed to the room for a quick shower so that we could be out in time for the complimentary drinks that are served for Uniworld guests in the Residents Lounge between 6:30 & 8:30. Cut short tonight by the welcome dinner which started at 7:30. We had a fabulous evening on our table of 6 getting to know 4 of our travel companions while at the same time enjoying some tasty Indian food. Tomorrow we leave Delhi and head for Agra
Indian food? Now you are talking. That I like. Loved the tall masonry tower. You got some nice shots there. Can’t believe you only had 18 people there.
Great reading about your experiences in Delhi. We couldn’t believe our eyes on the rickshaw ride. Did you see the monkeys hanging from the electric wires overhead? Wonder what happened to the passengers who didn’t arrive. The whole trip sounds fab. Will be giving a look at doing it now evisas for UK citizens have been reinstated.
No, not seen a monkey yet but there is still plenty of time. As far as I am aware, the full tourist visa is the only option for UK visitors. Every other country can use the evisa
Wow you packed in lots on your first full day, I’m sure the rickshaw ride was fun and gave you a feel for local life.
It was a great day thanks. Worth missing #CruiseHour on Twitter