24 January 2015 - Arrival in New Delhi and exploring our local area in South Delhi

We were so glad that we left our Bangkok accommodation at 1600hrs in preparation for our 2050hrs Jet Airways flight to New Delhi.  We were a funny procession dragging our luggage down the uneven and narrow footpath of Soi Lang Suan and then up the steep flights of stairs at Chit Lom Station, battling the peak hour train queues and finally boarding the Airport link train.  Hard work, especially as Luke is too small to drag his 20 kgs backpack around.  We only waited a short time before our booking queue started moving.

Peak hour trains so packed that Karl and backpacks x 2 had to take the next train.

We're off to India

Bangkok airport is so huge and we seemed to walk forever after passport control to find Gate E.  We bought some ridiculously expensive food and then heard our boarding call - more security and frisking and unpacking backpacks and not long to wait and then onto our plane.  We were very glad we left in plenty of time!

Jet Airways flight 9W63 was seriously THE most uncomfortable flight ever - tiny seats, over heated cabin and inconsiderate passengers.  I had literally a hand span between my chest and the seat in front of me! We thought our long journey was coming to an end when we landed but what we didn't know then was that the whole system here seems to be geared to confusion: our taxi driver (pre-paid Government Black and Yellow taxi) drove to the general area with no trouble but the Lajpat Nagar region has locked gates everywhere so roads can't be accessed, and there were road blocks as well and no visible road signs. It took over 2 1/2 hours to go 15 kms from the airport to our Airbnb accommodation.  It was 0400hrs Bangkok time (0230hrs New Delhi) by the time we lugged our packs up dark and narrow steps to our apartment.

Black and yellow taxi - VERY cramped

Squeezed in here for 2 1/2 hours!!!

Kitchen table at L-6 Lajpat Nagar, Delhi

Lounge room - looks so posh until a shelf fell off, and then a door handle!

Balcony view to lovely park.

Our apartment is spacious, safe and reasonably comfortable with the odd shelf falling down and dodgy drain pipes but generally clean and a bit of a haven from the busy noisy streets and lanes.  There are three huge but hard beds, three bathrooms, big lounge room  and kitchen with hotplate but no gas (!) and quite chilly compared to Bangkok.  It's home for a week now and several days later in our Indian trip. A few of the balconies overlook a lovely park and play ground and although we hear street vendors and music from the local temple, it really is a retreat from the noise, beeping horns, dirt, rickshaws, beggars and general mass of people.

Street scene

View from our bedroom balcony

People on roof top across the street.

Bumper to bumper takes on a whole new meaning!

We were eager to go exploring for some food and generally orientating ourselves and boldly stepped out into the cool bright day.  We are in New Delhi - Exotic and mind blowing and as my work colleague, Sophie La Canna says: "A sensory overload".  All that glitters is not gold and among the bling and sparkles of the marketplace are countless clothes vendors and food stalls and there are beggars and children selling plastic toys.  The streets are filthy and we saw many people tipping muck down into drains.  Dogs are lying everywhere, apparently undisturbed by the noise and the people.  Having said that, the people are well groomed and unhurried but rather pushy in queues.

Would you trust this lawyer?

Tuk tuk heading straight for me!

Rickshaws everywhere - it is WILD!

Checking out the market.

Tim found a two by two Rubic's Cube!

 The Lajpat Nagar Market is close to here, just go through the "Gynaecological" Gate 8 - there are lots of private clinics around this area and despite the external grime, it is supposedly a "good" area.  So many colours, smells, noises, alleys - rather overwhelming.

Exploring.

After we got some food and discovered a convenience store (no supermarkets around here), the kids decided that they were a bit tired for more exploring and decided to watch a movie back at the apartment.  We had a bit of a rest, heard a vegetable vendor calling out his wares and went down stairs to buy some veggies.

When we went to boil some rice, we discovered that the nice looking hot plate was not in fact attached to any gas...mmmm...no rice and no cooked veggies as planned!  That and a door handle falling off, a sink flooding and several other catastrophes have left us giggling!  

Street barber.

Chai - hot, spicy and delicious!

Pakora stall - also delicious

Well, at least he is wearing a helmet!

Rickshaw and passenger

Rickshaws EVERYWHERE and a night they don't have lights!

Karl and I walked to find the Metro station and had to go through full security frisks and bag check before entering the station precinct.  We bought the Smartcard which works like Bangkok's Rabbit Card.  Again, so much better than Myki.  We also sussed out where to get a Black and Yellow taxi for our return to the airport which should take much less time as everyone knows where the airport is!

"Gynaecologial gate back to our precinct!

Clown spruiking outside a shoe shop shortly before he hoiked and spat in the gutter.

Persistent peacock feather seller.

Our local Sikh temple

Fruit vendor and cart.

Our apartment from the street.

Rickshaws outside Lajpat Nagar Station.

Time for a snooze.

These drivers need NO encouragement to blow their horns!

Car wreck quickly becomes a home.

Fried potato stall for dinner.

We ventured out once more for dinner and found hot fried potatoes which were finally purchased in amongst the pushing, calling crowd waving their notes about and yelling at the vendor.  Another visit to the convenience store and we had enough food to fill tummies at least for tonight and tomorrow morning.

And so began our Indian adventure.....