Part V – Agra & Delhi
This final post of my Incredible India series is long overdue. I have procrastinated on writing it, simply because it reminds us of our worst experiences in India. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur are often dubbed ‘the golden triangle’ by all sorts of guidebooks and websites, but they turned out to be a big fat ugly triangle of disappointment (to us). I would not bother you with all the details, but we had the worst train delay during the worst cold spell India had witnessed in 44 years, encountered the worst hotel booking system (even though they eventually ¬did everything they could to make things right), and busted the worst taxi scam ever. Last but definitely not least, we experienced the most bittersweet moments of visiting Agra’s Taj Mahal and Delhi’s Red Fort, India’s most famous attractions, which look fabulous in photos but so uninteresting in reality.
Having said that, we did have a great time visiting Akshardham Temple Complex and shopping in Connaught Circus. And who could have guessed that a random customs officer at Delhi International Airport was married to a Vietnamese woman? The world is small indeed.
The South Gate
Details of the South Gate
Korean tourists wrapped in colorful sari
Locals walking barefoot to Taj Mahal
It was so foggy in the morning that we had to come back in the afternoon to get this view
Locals praying in the mosque next to Taj Mahal
As foreigners have to pay an exorbitant entry price, they don’t have to pay for toilets. But locals do.
Agra train station at midnight
The great mosque – Delhi
Lamb brain curry – yummy
I want to hear about the details of the disappointment, scams and the like! Any Indian experience wouldn’t be complete without them (I suppose). Please write more!
Give South India a try next time…it is very friendly and quieter
@Lakshmi Loves to Shop: definitely, we heard so many great things about South India.