Sometimes my computer (a cranky old netbook long overdue for the scrap/recycling heap) decides for itself when I have blogged too much. Such a decision was just made, as I was on the point of describing the imperial splendour of the Viceroy's Palace. First, it is immense, but the style, combining Graeco/Roman revival with large doses of both Moghal and Byzantine overlay - huge central dome, minarets etc - is a wonder to behold. No surprise that ordinary Indians were impressed by the Raj. The Palace is now occupied by the improbable figure of Sonia Ghandi - the Italian temptress now President of India.
As for Old Delhi it is dominated by the Delhi Red Fort - not to be confused by the far more impressive Red Fort at Agra. We were not allowed inside it, as it houses both the Delhi police and segments of the Indian military. On the other hand it flanks the ancient Indian markets of the Chandi Chowk - an impossible warren of slums and small trading outlets which fascinated us. How the Indian laws of Real Property cope with this (if indeed they do), defeats me. We were overwhelmed by the likes of the Chicken Market and the Fish Market as we bumped and ground our way through it all on the obligatory bicycle rickshaw.
In the evening we were invited to witness a full-on, no expense spared Indian wedding, held at a delightful boutique hotel called "The Manor". It houses a fabulous IndoEuropean restaurant called "Indian Accent" and we had a superb meal while witnessing the intricate and colourful proceedings on the lawn outside.
Enough for now. An account of the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort at Agra on the next occasion.
As for Old Delhi it is dominated by the Delhi Red Fort - not to be confused by the far more impressive Red Fort at Agra. We were not allowed inside it, as it houses both the Delhi police and segments of the Indian military. On the other hand it flanks the ancient Indian markets of the Chandi Chowk - an impossible warren of slums and small trading outlets which fascinated us. How the Indian laws of Real Property cope with this (if indeed they do), defeats me. We were overwhelmed by the likes of the Chicken Market and the Fish Market as we bumped and ground our way through it all on the obligatory bicycle rickshaw.
In the evening we were invited to witness a full-on, no expense spared Indian wedding, held at a delightful boutique hotel called "The Manor". It houses a fabulous IndoEuropean restaurant called "Indian Accent" and we had a superb meal while witnessing the intricate and colourful proceedings on the lawn outside.
Enough for now. An account of the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort at Agra on the next occasion.
Hi, I'm Tomoko. Today, we had a huge earthquake in the wide area of Japan.(M8.8, they say in TV)
ReplyDeleteThe other earthquakes are coming every few minutes, but we (Noriko, Hiroyuki in Urayasu, Chiba and my family in Kodaira, Tokyo) are all right.
I warry about Toshihiro at his office far from our house, but anyway he's also ok now.
Phone line won't work now.
But please don't be warry about us. Thanks anyway.
With love, Tomoko.