As the summer approaches here in the middle east so as the temperature. But it's different in India. I dunno but just the moment we got out of the airport, my make-up was being erased by my sweat right away. I swear, it's like we were inside an oven and we're set to be cooked.
The hotel is fabulous. Totally a 5-star. Hotels in India are way way better compared to Europe. Perhaps its cheaper in India that's why they give the best for us. Lol!
When I lay here in my bed
I whisper to myself, "This is life!" Lol!
Le Meridien, India
Such a pretty and huge hotel.
I'm flying with a Filipina again, so lucky me! :) We decided to eat dinner outside and to go to the infamous night market of Janpath. It is near to the hotel so we just walked until we reached the place. It's like Divisoria in our country where they sell clothes, souvenirs, accessories and many beautiful and colorful items. It's India's trademark, the prints and colors. Shopping in India is actually cheap but the vendors are smart. Once they see you're a foreigner they double or triple the price. Well you gotta outsmart them by using your bargaining skills and charm of course! The second picture below was a very pretty dress priced for 700rupees, but to my stinginess, I got it for... 300 rupees. Ha!
Too much bling bling :)
The print is prettier in person!
After the tiring shopping Roda and I went to a nearby Pizza hut and ordered pasta and pizza. We tried the spicy dishes because we believed we were in India and spices are their specialty. To our disappointment, the spiciness of the food did not go well with our taste buds. I like spicy foods but when the spicy flavor overpowers the original flavor of the food and you barely can't taste it, it's no good at all.
Soo spicy! I was full from drinking too much water!
The next day, Roda, Mish (our steward) and I got off early from the hotel to see one of the world's wonders. :)
Goodness, I think I did 4 legs prior to Taj Mahal. We didn't expect that it was too far from the hotel! It was 5 hours away because it is located in Agra and it was like 200 kilometers away from Delhi! I kept on sleeping and waking up from my slumber during the travel. At some point, I can feel the heat outside going inside the car. Geez.
Some random pictures from the looong travel. :)
We still look sleepy don't we?
The nth accident that day. Too much road accidents in India!
Yes! Most tuktuk do this! Lol! Siksikan!
The gang on the way to Taj mahal
They ask too much from foreigners. Around 800 rupees
but for the locals only 300!
The entrance we had to endure under the hot hot sun.
I can't even understand at times what the tour guide is saying. Lol!
The gate to the palace of love
Namaste, Taj Mahal!
Mid shot
And a close-up shot
The tour was refreshing. It's like a trip down memory lane back in my history class. Before I would just gaze lovingly at the Taj mahal pictures in my books but now I'm actually in front of it. It's standing big right before me. It's amazing. Beautiful.
Touching the marbles and the stones intricately constructed by 22,000 laborers, speculating the monument of love which King Shah Jahan waited for 22 years to complete for his love Mumtaz Mahal, and climbing the 22 stairs up the chosen palace, all the heat is definitely worth the wait. It's worth it.
Goodbye the Chosen one.
I didn't buy any replicas of the Taj Mahal. They say the palace has become a tomb for the lovers and if you buy a replica of it, it's as if you bought a tomb for yourself too. They say it'll bring bad luck so I never thought of buying one anyway.
After the tour at the Taj Mahal we went to an Indian restaurant to eat. Sorry not too much pictures as I feel so messy and sticky from the heat. At least we had a decent food to eat and not overly spiced! What I liked most of what we ate was the sweet potato balls, an Indian dessert! Yum yum!
Tastes like embutido, nothing special.
After that we went to some interesting shops...
Beautiful marbles with precious stones
Impeccably done by the descendants of the Taj Mahal laborers
Beautiful finished products
This is a royal carpet once used before in the palace.
It is embroidered with precious real stones, and, is NOT FOR SALE!
These are pretty. Sigh.
All in all I enj0yed the tour. Though I have to experience again the grueling 5 hours travel back to the hotel. It's an experience that doesn't happen everyday anyway!
I gotta love Delhi! :)
