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A spectacular experience. Not for everybody. But for some, it's the ultimate.
From my India Blog | April - May 2013
Part One. Delhi | I arrived in Delhi in the wee hours this Sunday morning and have had 2 days of good exploration. Including layover time it was 26 hours from San Francisco – nonstop to Shanghai and onto Delhi. China Eastern was respectable and both aircraft were new Airbus 330s. Did not like their terminal in Shanghai (I’ve seen a lot better at almost any American airport) – a transfer anywhere else would likely have been better.
The interior of Delhi’s 2 year old airport, from what I saw, is an artistic stunner including an entire wall sculpture most definitely Indian.
I’m on an organized tour for luxury travel advisors sponsored by Peirce & Leslie and the six of us have 12 days to visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Varanasi. I just learned yesterday that a city ending with “pur” designates a Hindu city versus ‘bad” i.e. Hyderabad, as Muslim.
Our hotel in Delhi is The Lodhi, until earlier this year part of Aman. To continue reading click here.
Part Two. Agra and Taj Mahal | It was about a 3 hour drive to Agra on a major highway, first passing by the construction of a major city. I’ve never seen an entire city under construction. The topography was dry and rural with scattered villages, mud huts and concrete settlements. The arrival in Agra was more “organized chaos” as often describes India. I’d say it was an awful place except for maybe the top hotels, Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal – but hate to sound too negative.
Despite being an awful city, the Taj as locals call it, is probably the most awe inspiring building I’ve ever seen. Hate to admit it probably trumps my beloved Duomo in Florence or the Golden Gate Bridge. Take a look at my pictures which I hope present a different view of it than you might be used to seeing. But photos won’t it justice so you’ll have to go there. I won’t even attempt to describe my reaction either to the play of light on the building at various times. Remember, Delhi is a nonstop flight away from New York or Chicago. Oh, we did see scavenging cows and playful monkeys on the street as we approached for our morning visit. To continue reading click here.
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