Our year in India: Dad has gone back to Sweden and we are in the Apartment

This week my dad has been here, he is like a child, he needs entertaining the whole time J No but it was lots of fun to see him. Whilst Stephen was at work I took him to all the touristy things we had already had done, but I didn’t mind doing them again. So we went to Humayums tomb, Qutub Minar, Ghandi’s Memorial, Connaught Place and best of all took a rickshaw around Old Delhi.

This was the most amazing thing we have done so far here in Dehli, we went around on these two bikes in the old parts, the streets where so narrow and there where people everywhere. At one point the drivers of the bikes took us for a walk through the spice market, which made us sneeze constantly. We then went up some little steps that lead to the wholesale chili market and then further up onto the roofs. From here we had a great view of the old town from above and saw where they made popadoms. They took us to the part where they sell Saris in all colours you could think of and they also took us to a Jain Temple hidden away down a narrow backstreet, the whole experience was so nice.

We then finished Dad’s week here by going to Agra for the weekend. Agra was interesting; as a city it is very bad, the only thing they have going for them is the Red Fort, Baby Taj and the Taj Mahal. We all went down there with the driver on Saturday morning very early, Stephen and I slept in the back and dad was at the front chatting to the driver and hoping not to be in a crash. He said he won’t miss the traffic and the beeping, but we know he will!

So we got to the hotel about 13:00, had some lunch and met up with the guide who took us to the Red Fort. It was very impressive and way better than the Red Fort in Dehli. After that we went to the Baby Taj, it is really pretty and there were no tourists. I really liked this one. On the Sunday we met our guide at 5.50 am to go for the sunrise tour of Taj Mahal. Not too impressed I have to say, well not me, Stephen and Dad were! Everyone was telling us how it is the most beautiful building in the world and that you have to see it when the sun comes up. Yes it was beautiful, but the sun comes up from the wrong side for good pictures, the whole place was nice, but I have seen better! Only thing that was good when doing it so early was that there are fewer tourists. Obviously there are still a lot, but not as many as there would be midday. We were back at our hotel at 8, had breakfast and then lay by the pool for a few hours. We went home around midday and got back to Dehli for 5.

By home I mean our apartment! J yes we are in!!! It is not done yet, some of the furniture’s we have at the moment looks like they have come from the car boot sale, but that is the Indian way! So we are having others put in, but it will take a while. We are so happy about being in though, so nice to have your own space, fridge and food! Not to have to call down to reception every time you want some water! Also every time we go out in the evening, the guard goes up and put the lights and fans on for us, so we wont have to come home to a dark apartment, we don’t understand each other but we smile and nod a lot! Will put pictures up from our when it is done more to our taste.

So last night was dads last night in Delhi, so what better place to eat then The Spice Route in the Imperial Hotel. We had a lovely time, great meal and even laughed at some Norwegians! There was a Norwegian family seated next to us who were trying to pretend they were really posh. The mother ordered some wine; the waiter comes over and poured her a taster. She said: could I have a full glass please? Ha-ha

Anyhow, I took dad to the airport this morning with a little lump in my throat, it is always hard to see family leave, but I went home to my man who was “working from home” that day J

We don’t have any Internet at the moment so might be a while until I can update again.