Nostalgia - Part 1
Assalamualaikum and good morning all. Since I was 13 years old I have fallen in love with a long train ride. Having attended a fully boarded secondary School in Seremban and only to return home in Ampang three times every year by train, making me so close to journey by train.
This trip is the sequence of my trip with my daughter to Bangkok in 2016. It was also my solo 'warmup trip' before I stepped further. I dreamed of a solo long distance train trip tracking the "silk route" to Rome. The trader's route across the continent with spices, silk and even gun powder. That's my ultimate aim. When? Depends on my health and finance.
This morning I board the ets at 8 am from KL Sentral to the last destination in Padang Besar and then take the connecting train from there to Hatyai.
The train came and departed just in time. In this train ets, my memories came back to 1982 when getting a concession KTM to return home on arrival on school holidays. A week before the holidays arrived, my mind was saturated with various plans. Lessons during class are ignored. The Science teacher, Yap Kar Hong is often looking at me as if it were in his own world that occasionally smiled without valid reason.
The fight for seats in the train is like scrambling to buy football tickets at the independent stadium when Selangor against Mohan Bagan (the strongest football team in India) at that time!
I saw the seniors flung theirs luggage through the windows even before the train stopped and their acrobatic actions jumped through the window "adventurous" once. My first time was 'culture shock' and continued shaking my head. The second time they shook their heads because I was faster to break through the windows! Hahaha ...
The journey will last for a maximum of 5 hours and I buy ETS Platinum tickets that have less stops. Ticket worth RM120. Unfortunately I'm still not eligible for a senior ticket though I'll be there shortly thereafter!
What am I looking for in my travel this time? I want to find myself. This one alone gives me a lot of space for my self-esteem. This opportunity gives me the opportunity to plan my career and my life. This travel also gave me the opportunity to explain my family's journey. I enjoy this my way. Throughout this journey I will meet some of my old friends. All this will tell me later.
The sound of a railway is very calm. Therapautic! The rails are back bringing me to the premiere of the youth .... To all my beloved batchmates from class of 86', you guys are always in my thoughts ....
Wednesday, 11 October 2017
Thursday, 17 August 2017
Wednesday, 16 August 2017
Yiwu Pt 1 - Departure & Arrival
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Yiwu City of Wholesale Market
Yiwu Pt 1 - Departure & Arrival
Introduction
Yiwu is best known for its wholesale markets. People who have not been there would never know what opportunities lie within these markets. The way to find out is to go there, see and experience it yourselves. Make some contacts. Meet the sellers, meet the manufacturers. Buy commodity at low price then make profit when you do business in your own country. You never know, If you are lucky, you can bring back some fortunes.
This is how our journey started.
Departure from KL International Airport KLIA2
From Kuala Lumpur KLIA2, we took D7332 AirAsia X Flight to Shanghai Pudong Airport, it was nearly 5 half hours flight journey. Flight Fare with return ticket, paid an amount of MYR 1030 per pax.
Shanghai Pudong Airport
The plane reached Shanghai Pudong Airport at 4:45 am. Didn’t take long to disembark from the plane. It took a while to queue up to undergo immigration and custom procedures like everyone else that entered a foreign country.
We got on Shanghai Metro line 2 from Pudong Metro Station. We got off at East Nanjing Road Metro Station at around 6 something in the morning, to change to another metro line. We get on board Metro line 10 and finally arrived at Hongqiao Railway Station, very convenient.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
We hurriedly bought the train tickets and managed to get on board 08:20 a.m. G1323 Highspeed Train from Shanghai Hongqiao Station. A second-class seat ticket 二等火车票 to go to Yiwu the train fare about 125 yuan per pax.
Yiwu Railway Station
The train journey takes 1h 40min. Alḥamdulillah الحمد لله , Praise be to God. Finally arrived in Yiwu At 10:00 a.m.
Yiwu Bus 802 Route
Yiwu train station → International Trade City bus stop
Operation time: Early morning 06:20 to evening 21:30
Bus frequency 5-15 minutes
Fare information: 1.5 yuan per pax
Yiwu Railway Station. We started walking following the signs heading for the bus station. Signboards are conveniently written in both English and the local language. The bus station is short distance walk from the train station. Bus 802 was waiting for us to bring us to Yiwu wholesale market. The bus service frequency every 5 to 15 minutes and very convenient, bus fare 1.5 yuan each. Put in the money box beside the driver similar to RAPIDKL , about an hour and a half to arrive at the Trade City.
We got on Bus 802 at a bus stop at Yiwu Train Station. The bus journey took about 1 and a half hour.
Yiwu International Trade City
We got off at International Trade City bus stop located near The International Trade City. This bus stop is located on Shangcheng Avenue. This is Guójì shāngmào chéng yī qū xī dàmén bus stop. 国际商贸城一区西大门.
Checked in at Hotel
At 12 noon we checked in at Jinda Hotel. Distance the bus stop to hotel isn’t far, takes about 5 minutes on foot.
There are many halal restaurants around this hotel. One of it, Madinah Restaurant.
To be continued in Pt 2 i.e., the next entry. Please click Pt 2 - International Trade City.
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Yiwu City of Wholesale Market
Yiwu Pt 1 - Departure & Arrival
Introduction
Yiwu is best known for its wholesale markets. People who have not been there would never know what opportunities lie within these markets. The way to find out is to go there, see and experience it yourselves. Make some contacts. Meet the sellers, meet the manufacturers. Buy commodity at low price then make profit when you do business in your own country. You never know, If you are lucky, you can bring back some fortunes.
This is how our journey started.
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| Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA2 |
Departure from KL International Airport KLIA2
From Kuala Lumpur KLIA2, we took D7332 AirAsia X Flight to Shanghai Pudong Airport, it was nearly 5 half hours flight journey. Flight Fare with return ticket, paid an amount of MYR 1030 per pax.
Shanghai Pudong Airport
The plane reached Shanghai Pudong Airport at 4:45 am. Didn’t take long to disembark from the plane. It took a while to queue up to undergo immigration and custom procedures like everyone else that entered a foreign country.
We got on Shanghai Metro line 2 from Pudong Metro Station. We got off at East Nanjing Road Metro Station at around 6 something in the morning, to change to another metro line. We get on board Metro line 10 and finally arrived at Hongqiao Railway Station, very convenient.
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
We hurriedly bought the train tickets and managed to get on board 08:20 a.m. G1323 Highspeed Train from Shanghai Hongqiao Station. A second-class seat ticket 二等火车票 to go to Yiwu the train fare about 125 yuan per pax.
Yiwu Railway Station
The train journey takes 1h 40min. Alḥamdulillah الحمد لله , Praise be to God. Finally arrived in Yiwu At 10:00 a.m.
Yiwu Bus 802 Route
Yiwu train station → International Trade City bus stop
Operation time: Early morning 06:20 to evening 21:30
Bus frequency 5-15 minutes
Fare information: 1.5 yuan per pax
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| Yiwu Train Station The Oval Shape Roof |
Yiwu Railway Station. We started walking following the signs heading for the bus station. Signboards are conveniently written in both English and the local language. The bus station is short distance walk from the train station. Bus 802 was waiting for us to bring us to Yiwu wholesale market. The bus service frequency every 5 to 15 minutes and very convenient, bus fare 1.5 yuan each. Put in the money box beside the driver similar to RAPIDKL , about an hour and a half to arrive at the Trade City.
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| Bus 802 at Yiwu Railway Station |
We got on Bus 802 at a bus stop at Yiwu Train Station. The bus journey took about 1 and a half hour.
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| Bus Journey approaching Bus Stop where we got off |
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| Bus stop at Shangcheng Ave |
Yiwu International Trade City
We got off at International Trade City bus stop located near The International Trade City. This bus stop is located on Shangcheng Avenue. This is Guójì shāngmào chéng yī qū xī dàmén bus stop. 国际商贸城一区西大门.
Checked in at Hotel
At 12 noon we checked in at Jinda Hotel. Distance the bus stop to hotel isn’t far, takes about 5 minutes on foot.
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| Bus Stop at Intersection of Shangcheng Avenue and Chouzhou Bei Road |
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| Jinda Hotel view from across the street |
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| Jinda Hotel |
There are many halal restaurants around this hotel. One of it, Madinah Restaurant.
To be continued in Pt 2 i.e., the next entry. Please click Pt 2 - International Trade City.
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Friday, 24 March 2017
London Visit
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KEMBARA LONDON
PERJALANAN KAMI
A few months back, I have made a visit to London. This is a travelogue of my journey in London.
London has attractive locations for visiting. Follow us on our journey exploring London. Find out which places did we go.
FIVE DAYS TRIP LONDON BACKPACKING
When I was a kid, I used to play London Property Monopoly board game, Old Kent Road spot being the cheapest and the most expensive Mayfair. So I was exposed to the areas in London; always thinking when will I get the opportunity to explore London.
I was fascinated with the British Empire that was once the largest empire in history, and the world's most powerful for more than a century. By 1922, more than 458 million people lived in the British Empire, which was more than one fifth of the world's population at that time. Take a little look-see around London City and its development; the former western colonial superpower plundering the resources and how the west had built London thriving on the wealth of the territories they plundered. One person's loss is another person's gain.
The adjective British is commonly used to refer to matters relating to the United Kingdom and London being the capital of England, and later the United Kingdom.
A bit of history on the first king who ruled England: The ancient kingdoms ruler of the Anglo-Saxons to be deemed the first King of England. Æthelstan became the first king to rule the whole of England when he conquered Northumbria (Northumbria was the medieval Anglian kingdom in what is now the northern England and south-east Scotland) in 927, and he is regarded by some modern Historians as the first king of England.
There were even older palaces than The Buckingham but many of them do not exist anymore since they have collapsed due to having age over time and not able to withstand the force of nature. Palaces were not maintained since the owners had deserted the place.
The British monarch became nominal head of the vast British Empire, of which covered a quarter of the world's surface at its greatest extent in 1921. At the peak of its power, the phrase "the empire on the which the sun never sets" was often used to describe the British Empire, because its great expanse around the globe meant that the sun was always shining on at least one of its territories.
PLANNING AND PREPARING THE ITINERARY
Many tourist attraction venues in Central London are located near Westminster Houses of Parliament.
Also there are venues that I want to visit located east from here; such as The Tower Bridge that is expected to take about half an hour drive to go there.
In the northwest located Madame Tussaud Wax Museum and will take about 40 minutes drive to go there.
In the west located Bayswater souvenir market will take about 50 minutes drive from the Parliament Building.
My plan is as the following:
• First day to go to Madame Tussauds Museum and nearby venues.
• Second day plan to visit tourist venues, the area near Westminster Parliament Building.
• Third day visiting London Tower Bridge and vicinity.
• Fourth day to make a day trip to Salisbury, a town located south-west of London.
• Take the flight back to KLIA on the fifth day.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN LONDON
A lot of Transportation to Get Around London.
Download London tube map or print as a guide for travel, and in case you travel on weekends, there are few stations will be closed, so it might take some time for the interchange to the destination.
Public transport services such as the London Underground Mass Transit System and bus lines - Getting from one place to another within the metropolitan areas of London.
London Transport
https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey
London Tube and Bus Fare Fare
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/fares/single-fare-finder?intcmp=1660
Train
https://www.thetrainline.com/train-times/
WORKING OUT THE BUDGET
Work out how much money we're spending it on.
Flight: RM 2500
Accomodation: £ 60 x 5 days = £ 300
Food & Shopping: £ 300
Transport within London for 5 days = £ 35
Train Fare Euston -> Watford with return = £ 20
Venues attraction Admission = £ 90
ADULT 3 DAY LONDON PASS £ 90
Day Trip To Stonehenge
Transport To Salisbury: Train ride with return Tickets = £ 43.20
Bus Fare Salisbury -> Stonehenge = £ 15 adult return
Stonehenge Admission = £ 15
Total in RM Expenses Excl. Flight Ticket = RM 4700
Flight Ticket = RM 2500
Total = RM 7200
TAKING THE FLIGHT TO LONDON
Turkish Airline
Turkish Airlines TK1979
Arrive LHR 9:50 am
London Heathrow Terminal 2
Flights with Turkish Airline takes almost 17.5 hours to London with a stopover in Istanbul. Sitting in the economy class cabin really tiring, plus the time zone difference of Kuala Lumpur being ahead of London by 8 hours. The aircraft used is an Airbus A330-200 Airbus, with seats per row 2-4-2 arrangement. Leg room standard distance, so if possible you can ask to sit in Row Emergency wider.
Inflight entertainment is only shared TV. The movies playing during our flight were not interesting, so I just slept and read books.
Heathrow
Yes, we finally arrived at London Heathrow Airport at 9.50 am at Terminal 2. Terminal 2 is quite small, especially the immigration area much like an airport in Denpasar. Overview Heathrow as one of the busiest airports in the world, this airport was busy but not modern. Queuing up at the immigration officers too long though friendly. It took about 15 minutes to queue up for immigration checking.
You will not be needing a visa to come to the UK for Tourism, including visiting friends or family. However, you should bring the same documents you'd need to apply for a visa, to show to UK immigration officers.
For Immigration purposes, provide printed copies of the flight itinerary and hotel booking confirmation all in one folder perceived that they would inquire of standard questions about our trip i.e. trip destination, accommodation, how many days of stay etc. Make sure everything in order because they are a bit sceptical if not having hotel booking and if the stay at home friends / relatives, please provide full address.
Going through the Immigration is not difficult. Get your documents in order; return tickets, hotel reservation, booking Europe tour. UK immigration wants to know your intention for entering the country. Show these to the Immigration. Definitely will be 2-3 regular questions that they will ask. What is the purpose of your trip? How long will you be staying? Answer them calmly, it's not that you've done anything wrong.
LONDON PASS
After immigration and safety checks, we move on to buy a London Pass at Heathrow Terminal 3. It is on sale at the British Hotel Reservation Centre (BHRC), and also at the Heathrow Express desk at the station. London Pass is a credit card sized card, a kind of ticket that can be used for admission to many sights and museums without having to pay again.
There are some options of the London Pass depending on how many days you want to use. The price I bought this pass per person is £ 90 for 3 days.
There is also an option to package together travel (means Tube, buses, trains also free) but you should select London pass without travel. You can buy this pass earlier via the Internet, but the pass card must be collected in their office. Therefore take the London Tube to Charing Cross Station, then walk to the road side. Their office is not far from the tube station. Show print-out proof of purchase, and then the officer will give you the pass card.
OYSTER CARD
To get to down town, we take the London Tube (Metro Train). Tube Station is located below the terminal building. Follow the yellow neon sign in the arrival hall certainly do not get lost. At the entrance of the station we bought Oyster Card costs £ 15 (with the content of £ 10). Transport Top-Up Card (similar MYRAPID card for LRT Malaysia).
Before boarding a train at the station Tube Heathrow, we buy the Oyster Card that can be purchased at the machine or cashier window counter in Tube Station securities (Adult - Deposit £ 5 + values that we want to top-up) and Child <11 yrs travel for free) before boarding the train to Hammersmith station to the Hotel for 4 nights.
At the entrance to the station is also provided a map of the London Tube diagram, take one to be stored and later studied in the train. Then we go down to the platform.
TAKING LONDON TUBE
Our train ride from the airport to the Hammersmith station to check in at the hotel.
We arrive at Hammersmith at around 10.30 am and continues to Abercorn House Hostel, Hammersmith where we will stay for 5 days. For early check-in, we need to pay another £10. For breakfast cum lunch, we eat in Halal restaurant adjacent to the hotel. Here, we recommend you try out their succulent lamb shish, very delicious!
There are a lot of hotels located in the London suburb within commuting distance to the city. Otherwise we can stay in a hotel room within the city centre the which the cheapest is £ 85 per day (we save about RM160 per day by not having to stay in city centre), Abercorn House Hostel is that I can see being close to the tube station, so I thought it would be easy for me to reach London city centre in about 20 minutes by taking the underground (tube) to Westminster station. The Subway Train Fare about £5 to reach London City Centre.
Hammersmith is reachable to Central London by London Underground District "Green" line and get off at Westminster Station. The journey by London Underground to the city centre will take about 20 minutes.
Which destinations did we go in the City of London and find out our experience getting on board the Underground Tube? Follow us on our journey.
Day 1
11:30 check in hotel
Lunch at Capital Restaurant
13:30 Get on London Tube Piccadilly Line and then get on the Bakerloo Line at Piccadilly Circus and get off at Baker Street.
14:00 Madame Tussaud
The day started in the afternoon, it's time to Madame Tussaud the place where all the movie stars and world leaders made in the form of wax. Get off at Baker Street Tube Station, the location of this building right next to the station.
Madame closed at 6, so a lot of time to take pictures, at least you can still take pictures with celebrities, ranging from Leonardo Di Caprio, Nick Cage, Samuel L Jackson, to a character like Hitler and Tiger Woods.
Once we are done visiting Madame Tussaud, it's time to onward to next destination.
16:00 Wait at Bus stop located in font Marylebone Inn and take Bus 274 to the London Central Mosque
One finished performing the prayer, we rushed back to the station to continue to next destination which is the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
As a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle we drop in on Sherlock Holmes, took photos and after we've had enough, we move on continuing the journey.
Baker Street Station. Sherlock Holmes Museum in the form of the house there in 221B Baker Street. This museum has existed since 1990. The locations are in accordance with the address shown in the novel.
17:00 Get on London Tube Circle Line at Baker Street and change to the Circle Line at Edgware Road. Get off at Bayswater
17:20 Looking for souvenirs in Bayswater
Better buy souvenirs Bayswater area since here is cheaper, if you look hard enough you will find 1 fridge magnet for 99p in shops in Bayswater area.
Arriving in Bayswater, we head to the location of Malaysia Hall located 1 km from the station. Along the way on either side of Queensway Road and Inverness Road there are dozens of souvenir shops that offer the most affordable price in the city of London. After viewing in some places, the average selling fridge magnet at £2 per piece, is directly in Bayswater which offers 12 pieces at a price of £10.
Souvenir shop in the Bayswater area of London, the price is more reasonable. So shop for souvenirs in Bayswater, anyway my intention of coming here just to enjoy the historical sites, and to look for London / England souvenirs.
We then take the Tube to London Paddington and having dinner at Tukdin Restaurant.
Day 2
Explore the city of London with the Big Bus London Sightseeing Tour is already our book in their website much earlier. The fare for the tour is £ 60.00 / Family and we may get on and off at as many stops as we like around London.
Operators that offer the service of Hop On Hop Off.
a) Original London Tour
b) Big Bus
c) Golden Tours
We have made plans much earlier to visit tourist attraction venues such as Bakers Street / Sherlock Holmes Museum, Trafalgar Square / National Gallery, Haymarket road, Hard Rock Café London, Marble Arch, Wellington Arch, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben / Parliament, Admiralty Arch , St. Paul Cathedral / Monument, Tower of London and Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge and South Bank / London Eye.
We took the bus at 8.30am hours on a bus stand adjacent to St James Park Green Park Tube station.
8:00 Get on London Tube Piccadilly Line at Hammersmith and get off at Green Park.
St. James Park
We find our way around the city using London Free Map we took yesterday at the airport, we pass through St. James Park. The park is huge and beautiful.
Arriving at Green Park Station, we had to walk down the garden again, that has the same name as the station.
St. James Park is open to the public. We rushed to get there. I want to see the spectacular view of the park. However, when spirited want to trace the pathway in St. James Park, sudden drizzle fell. Our decision to return the two umbrellas which we used to take everywhere in the UK, turned out to be wrong.
If it did not rain, we can enjoy the beautiful scenery of this garden. Benches provided along the garden path, should be used to relax looking at the ducks swimming in the pond. Even the variety of species of birds and squirrels everywhere around the park.
Not far from the park, there is a very famous location in London which is the Buckingham Palace.
Not complete if visiting London without stopping at The Buckingham Palace. Therefore, this morning itinerary is Buckingham Palace.
Just like us, tourists from many countries make this palace as one of the favourite tourist sites. That is why the palace area has never been a time when it's empty. Unfortunately, Buckingham Palace is not open to the public every day. Already there is a special schedule imposed by the court, which in the summer months (July - September). Our arrival in the winter, then we must be satisfied to enjoy and admire the beauty of the palace from outside only.
This palace is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II and the office of the British royal Administration. The original building was established in 1850 and redesigned in 1913. Historically, Buckingham Palace was presented by the Duke of Buckingham to his wife. King George IV inaugurated this palace in 1826. Hence the name of Buckingham Palace was taken. When Queen Victoria's reign, the palace used as an official British royal administrative office (1837).
Morning in London is very beautiful, especially this day is a Sunday. Buckingham Palace Road, past the Victoria Station, wanting to feel the atmosphere of the city and the pedestrian lane is wide and deserted. And indeed although walking on a cold March, pedestrian city of London is very convenient, just wear comfortable shoes only. It turned out that the 10 minutes are over at Buckingham Palace, the palace of Queen Elizabeth. It was still early morning 9 o'clock so the palace is still quiet and can take photos until we've had enough.
A few hours later there was an event "Changing Guard", an event once every 2 days that much awaited by the tourists.
Wait at Victoria Bus Station and Get on Bus 38 to Piccadilly Circus. Take the bus no. 38 takes about 20 minutes, arriving at Piccadilly Circus.
Get on London Tube at Piccadilly Circus Bakerloo Line and get off at Charing Cross. Then wait at Charing Cross and get on Bus 15 and get off at Tower Of London.
Tower of London
It was sunny when we first arrived at the Tower of London. However, the temperature getting colder by the minute. Approaching the historical building, we spend time taking pictures with the building as the background.
There is a long queue near the entrance to this building.
We then get into the Tower of London. The building is almost 900 years old, interesting to find out its history. We made search on the official website of the Tower of London.
From the history and records that I found, many ghost story about an old building. One of the most famous is the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn. Queen Anne Boylen (Queen of England, 1507-1536) have died beheaded. She was the second wife of King Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn was executed at the Salt Tower (now known as the Bloody Tower or tower bleed) for allegedly having an affair. It is said that the ghost of Anne Boylen she still haunts the castle.
London Tower Bridge
A few minutes walk, we arrived at the location of Tower Bridge. Before we get confused over the location of Tower Bridge and London Bridge. London Bridge not far from the Tower Bridge and both crossing the River Thames.
Tower Bridge is one of the bridges are quite famous in the world. The bridge is to be lifted when there is a big ship going to pass through. It was said the construction of this bridge spent about 8 years (1886-1894).
We got here it is still working time, the area around the bridge is popular in London that looks deserted. We were busy taking photos.
After Zuhr prayers we continue to Oxford Street to grab a bite and all the whatnots to alleviate the rumbling my stomach that has been making loud noise since today's noon.
From the nearby station at around Tower Bridge, we decide to take the Tube to Oxford Street.
14:00 Walk to Tower Hill Underground Station
14:05 Tower Hill Underground Station to get on Circle line tube to Embankment Underground Station
Travel up the London Circle Line Tube from Tower Hill Underground Station to Embankment. Change to Northern Line to go to Tottenham Court Station. Exit and walk along the road side. The things on display should you have no intention in buying, you're not allowed to just simply hold the goods. Awesome shops on Oxford Street. The trip take around 20 minutes.
We get off at a Tube Station right at the famous street. I am not wrong if I say that in Malaysia, The Bintang Walk in front of The Pavilion was trying to emulate this stretch of street. Here we can window shop. All shops from small to large retailers such as Marks & Spencer and John Lewis. People hang-out location, crowded but very comfortable.
All the souvenirs of key chains, postcards, up shirt London sold in many shops along the way. Get into the Marks & Spencer, the price is quite expensive for our wallets. But for the toiletries, the price of perfume, soap, shampoo are quite cheap!
16:00 Oxford Street
Golden Union Fish & Chips Restaurant on Oxford Street.
WHERE TO SHOP IN LONDON
Who can restrain spending money while traveling abroad? As much to just look for souvenirs otherwise spend on groceries and other goods.
Do not be confused, Oxford Street doesn’t have anything to do with Oxford University. Oxford Street is located in central London (central London), on both sides there is a wide variety of shopping, dining, supermarkets, drugstores and other, essentially is complete. This place is a paradise for female shoppers. Here we can find more than 300 renowned outlets
To purchase souvenirs can be found along the road shops shirts, sweaters, key chains, fridge magnets, miniature tourist attractions, post cards, bags, hats and various other kinds. The price is expensive when compared with Asian countries, suggest you never to convert the figures to Malaysian Ringgit (That will prevent you getting annoyed and deter your interest in buying)
17:00 Primark
Continue exploring Oxford Street. We plan to drop by at Primark Shopping. The store was located in the main shopping road in the fashionable Oxford Street.
All items are sold at relatively cheap Primark. There are shops selling things with price starts from as low as £ 1. Anyway, we go into stores that already have a brand, such as Debenhams, John Lewis, Cath Kidston, Harrods and Marks and Spencer. We only choose things we most need and some for souvenirs as well.
Day 3
Get on London Tube Piccadilly Line at Hammersmith and change to Waterloo line at Piccadilly Circus Underground Station tube. Get off at Charing Cross Underground Station.
We arrived at Trafalgar Square from Charing Cross.
Trafalgar Square is one of the landmarks are located in the south-east of central London. This place is a favourite location for the gathering of the British people and the tourists. Trafalgar Square is a place that has historical value. The beauty of the monuments and statues become the object for the camera.
On location Trafalgar Square there are fountains and a statue of Sir Charles James Napier, Sir Henry Havelock, and King George IV. In addition there is also a monument high in the middle of the courtyard. The monument was named Nelson's Column is surrounded by four lions. This monument was erected to honour Admiral Horaito Nelson, British heroes who died in battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Location Trafalgar Square is strategically be often used as a place to hold a variety of arts and cultural festival. This London landmark is always crowded with tourists.
Moreover, in this area there is also The London National Gallery. No need to pay to enter. Here display thousands of paintings by famous artists of Europe, ranging from Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh to Rembrandt. Unfortunately, here can't take photo.
Bus no, 11 to Parliament Square Westminster Station.
Walk to Embankment Station District tube line or Circle line to Westminster Underground Station
Westminster Station
8:30 Parliament House & Big Ben
We walk for about fifteen minutes and arrive at the side of the House of Parliament building (Big Ben). We were amazed by the look of the grandeur of the building. It is not complete visiting London if did not stop at the Westminster Palace better known as the House of Parliament.
Big Ben has never been empty of tourists and has always been the favourite and never been shy away from tourists camera lenses.
Big Ben made the headquarters building of the British parliament is famous throughout the world. Although there are two towers and others in this building such as Victoria Tower and Central Tower, but the Clock Tower which is more popularly known as Big Ben is the most fascinating.
We heading on to Parliament House where the famous Big Ben clock it. Keep on walking for about 15 minutes arrived at the building's brown. The parliament building is located alongside the Thames River which divides the city of London. There is also a Westminster Bridge and Westminster Tube Station. London Eye is also clearly visible because it's not far from here.
Charing Cross Station Bakerloo tube line or Northern line to Waterloo Underground Station
We have our lunch in a Tandoori Restaurant located on Waterloo Road.
London Eye
London Eye River Cruise
Waterloo Underground Station on board the Northern line tube to Charing Cross Station
14:20 King's Cross
Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Train Station. This is a train station that Harry Potter and friends take to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If in the past there were only sign showing 9 ¾ platform, but now been placed a trolley going into the wall.
You will given robe and muffler to become like Harry Potter.. but the robe is provided for children so that they may use the trolley that go into the wall to Platform 9 3/4 and take photo. The time to get to the trolley if you can wait your turn, the line is quite long, never mind since most importantly it's free.
In addition to Harry Potter Souvenir Shop that became travellers attraction, The centre of crowd is the the building King Cross Station itself, which is an old building with very unique architectural design.
Harry Potter Location in Central London
There are many Harry Potter filming locations in London. Some of the more popular / memorable. You need to go to the locations in the Harry Potter films as they are featured.
Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾ At Kings Cross Station
Kings Cross Station is of course the point of departure for students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, of the which its most famous student, Harry Potter. The Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 ¾.
There is a mosque adjacent to this station. Thank God we can perform a quiet prayer before proceed with the next in the itinerary.
King Cross Mosque is pretty neat even being run by public donations. Located on level one apartment in Sandfield Crome Street.
Day 4
08:15 London Waterloo (Platorm 7)
9:46 Salisbury (Platform 4)
A day trip to Stonehenge; total journey take around 2 ½ hours from London Waterloo to reach Stonehenge.
Taking a train from London Waterloo to Salisbury and then get on Stonehenge Tour Bus to The Stonehenge.
From the rail station, the Stonehenge Tour Bus will transport you on the 30 minute trip from Salisbury to Stonehenge.
The Stonehenge
We ride shuttle taking passengers to and from Stonehenge located approximately 2-3 km from the entrance. This structure is listed as among the 7 wonders of the world.
Trip to Stonehenge from London using public transport, Salisbury, the nearest railway station to Stonehenge, then continue with shuttle buses directly to Stonehenge from Salisbury train station.
Spend time at least two hours, but the length of the visit very much depends on how busy the site is, the time needed to queue for the shuttle bus, the time taken to get to the Stonehenge, the time spend taking photographs etc.,
13:27 Salisbury (Platform 3)
14:59 London Waterloo (Platform 8)
15:05 Take the Northern Underground line from Waterloo Station to go to Tottenham Court Road Station
15:20 British Museum
British Museum Admission and opening times
Free, open daily 10:00 to 17:30
Tottenham Court Road Station to Knightsbridge, change at Leicester Square
Knightsbridge Harrods
From here we ride towards Harrods tube (tube station: Knightsbridge), the store that Al-Fayed is said to sell everything.
The store is very large, selling all goods ranging from clothes, perfume, chocolate, bakery, to electronics. Prices of goods such as dolls or Harrods brand bag turned out extraordinarily expensive, so we are only able to look around and take pictures in front of the altar table in memory of the late Lady Diana and Dodi Al-Fayed.
Day 5
Early in the morning at the hotel, we pack up our things into bags and Check out from the Hotel .
To get from Hammersmith to Euston on the Tube, take the Piccadilly Line tube at Hammersmith and change to Victoria line at Green Park. Get off at Euston Station.
At Euston Station get on the London Midland Train to Watford Junction Rail Station The train to Watford train station takes 20 minutes.
Arriving at the station, we take Watford Shuttle Bus no. 311, bus fare £ 2 /pax to go to Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio. Leaving the bus station, take a left turn and walk to the bus stand no. 3 where there is the shuttle bus with the image of Harry Potter films. Get on the bus with other visitors are given information about the making of Harry Potter films. It's interesting and not dull, all ages of visitors come all the way. For info, Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio opening hours 9.00am - 6.30pm. We have made online tickets booking on the website, £ 89 Family Ticket Entry. During our ticket in counter talking with his staff that was fascinated with Malaysia and talk about his family experiences during their visit to Kuala Lumpur.
TAKING THE FLIGHT BACK TO KLIA
5:45 PM Turkish Airlines Flight 1972
LHR - IST
London Heathrow · Scheduled departure from Terminal 2
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Friday, 9 December 2016
New Delhi Visit
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Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra
When we travel abroad, the country that we are going to enter considers us as a foreigner. Some countries require us to prepare a visa, and some do not. It depends on the country you are going to. Before you go to a different country, first check that country's travel visa requirement.
A visa is a sticker commonly endorsed in the applicant's passport. Travel visa is a conditional authorization granted by a country to a foreigner to enter and temporarily remain within, or to leave that country. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, territory within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, or the number of permitted visits. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a country and thus are, in some countries, distinct from actual formal permission for a foreigner to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to permission entry by an immigration official at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time.
All Malaysian citizens that wish to travel to India are required to prepare travel visa. Tourist Visa is granted to a Malaysian / Foreigner who does not have a residence or Occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. The Tourist Visa is non - extendable and non-convertible.
India Visa Centres In Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur.
IVS VMS Sdn. Bhd.
G-01, Ground Floor, Straits Trading Building,
No. 2, Lebuh Pasar Besar,
50050 Kuala Lumpur
Visa fee is by cash only and no online payment.
THE REQUIREMENTS:
APPLICATION WITH FALSE & INCORRECT INFORMATION WILL BE REJECTED
1) Application form is to be completed electronically ONLY in all respects. Applications with incomplete details are liable to be rejected.
2) Form to be signed at two places; below the photograph and last page by the applicant only
3) 2 recent colored photographs (2 inches X 2 inches) with white background ONLY
4) Passport valid for 6 months with minimum two blank pages
5) Address of referees in Malaysia and India to be furnished in detail
6) Confirmed flight tickets to and from India.
7) All visa applications must be supported with the passport photocopy
8) Journalists applying for Tourist Visa requires letter from employer. Visa to be applied as Journalist Tourism Visa
9) Application fee of RM189.56 including RM1.56 service fee (either single, double or multiple entry: validity from 1 month to a maximum of 6 months)
10) Takes 3 working days for submission at India Visa Centre, Kuala Lumpur
11) Each visit on Tourist Visa shall not exceed 45 days stay as indicated in the visa
12) Additional form (NON-RESIDENTIAL FORM) to be filled in for applicants born in China & Pakistan or descendant of Pakistan.
13) The applicant must be in person during submission for biometric registration. Children below 12 years old and adult above 70 years are exempted from biometric enrollment and their applications may be submitted by a representative.
For some people, India isn’t on their list for tourist destination, perhaps the last destination to visit. Everyone has the right to choose their travel destinations; after all it’s their money. Its part and parcel of tourist feels worth spending their time for vacation. If that is the case then, for those who aren’t interested about India, no benefit for you to keep on reading this blog, only a waste of your time. But for those who are interested, please continue reading, hopefully, what I wrote here can be of a guide to tourists who intend to go there for the first time.
Some people are interested to go to India since they feel the experience will be their life's adventure, but not everyone feels this way - it is a matter of personal preference. Even this blog is written differently as compared to the one written by a westerner. What I portrayed here, the good or the bad, was simply by having watched them, in my own perspective.
The best time to visit India is from November to March (20-30 Celsius) when the weather is quite cool, comfortable to walk, avoid the very hot months of May to August. I went the first time in June and the temperature reached over 47 degrees Celsius. July to September less suitable as the monsoon season begins, will be difficult to move anywhere when it floods.
If you are interested to travel by road to North India, around the Himalayas, for example to Leh in Ladakh or around Himachal Pradesh, Zanskar, Sikkim and Darjeeling, summer is very convenient, come to India in June to October and continued the trip up North, since these locations are situated in high altitude, at the outskirts of the Himalayas where the weather is a lot cooler as compared to New Delhi. The road from Manali to Leh is open around June onwards when the weather is warm and the snow melts, come earlier, heavy snow, can not pass through by land, better travel by air.
For readers’ info, India is the first destination outside the country that I spent with my own personal expenses, I seek adventure, many countries I have visited before were on business purpose and I do not have to worry about hotel, transportation, Visa. All my travels before were because of work and everything has already been prepared by the officials in charge. Since the Trip to India was on my own expense, therefore I have to do a lot of preparations.
The first thing I did was to get as much information related to travelling in India, either through blogs or even buying books related to India. I decided to buy Lonely Planet book titled Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra since this will be our destination in India that we intend to visit. If you have an ambition to travel all around India, I tell you that your travel will take lifelong journey, since India is vast.
I have to look for information about the travel, the hotels which are good to stay, where the railway station or the bus station nearest to the hotel, where to eat and the distance from the Hotel to the places I wanted to visit.
Before I go any further, the first thing we need to know, how to prepare Tourist Visa to visit India. VISA for those who are staying in Kuala Lumpur can go to INDIA VISA CENTRE located in Jalan Lebuh Pasar Besar, in front of Agrobank. The Visa fee is RM190 for Visa including service tax, visa processing usually complete within two days. Make the application today, God willing, tomorrow afternoon you can retrieve your passport back and has visa sticker in it, simple.
There is also the question, what is the need of VISA for you already have a Passport? A visa is a travel document issued by certain countries to which give the permission to enter their countries for a specific purpose and for a specified period. That is, before you go to a country which requires VISA, you have to make application and it is up to the discretion of that country officials on whether to allow you to enter their country or not, and should also know that is not necessarily the application will be approved. The requirements for obtaining a VISA to India is to include a copy of travel tickets, together with VISA form already completely filled-in by yourself.
There are also some countries that require "Invitation Letter" from the country you intend to enter, either a letter of invitation from relatives, a letter of invitation to attend certain meetings, or any agenda, so when you plan your travel, do some search. There are also countries that want to see your budget, if not having enough money or financial resources for the expenses while you're there, then VISA will not be given. For going to India, you don’t need "Invitation Letter", can take the form filled it in with your particulars and proceed to India Visa Centre, very simple procedure.
It is important to search for information, especially for backpackers or groups without the help of Travel Agency. Just enjoy the services provided by the travel agency, pay their services and they manage everything, solves your headache. But for me this is not exciting.
The flight to New Delhi, India takes approximately five hours by MAS airlines, non-stop flight.
Since this is the first trip to India, avoid wasting your time looking for a taxi or shuttle to the hotel, so before I go I have to deal with the management staff of Vivek Hotel to pick us up from Airport. We will arrive at night time at about 10 PM.
DELHI METRO RAIL
The Delhi Metro is a rapid transit rail network that serves the urban and suburban districts of Delhi municipality. This subway system is the fastest transportation going through downtown and a good way to avoid frequent traffic jams.
Metro services run from about 06:00 hrs till 23:00 hrs.
IGI Airport Metro Station to Ramakrishana Asharm Marg Metro Station
Airport Express (Orange Line) get off at New Delhi for interchange to the Yellow Line. Get off Rajiv Chowk for interchange to the Blue Line. Get off at Ramakrishana Asharm Marg Metro Station.
http://www.delhimetrorail.com
For first timer coming to India, I suggest to inform hotel management for "PickUp" service to fetch you. Don’t waste time at the Airport, can also use Taxi service, pre-paid taxi for Rs. 250 or Rs. 350 to Pahar Ganj, the area our hotel is located. Some taxi will offer you to stay at the hotel and they will earn a commission if succeed to bring you to their hotels. Use the taxi service but tell them that you have already chosen a hotel and to take you directly to the hotel you have selected. Be careful on the taxi scam when take a taxi in India, even you showed the driver where you want to go, he will try to talk you into going to a different hotel. It’s a common trick,”Awtar keling” as we say it, and they get a kickback for every customer they bring to their hotel.
The cost of "PickUp" service is more expensive than the cost of taking a taxi at the airport because you had to pay the cost of transportation to and from their hotel to take you but it’s convenient. Once you leave the airport arrival hall, you will see your name appear written on white paper hold by a representative of the hotel.
The journey from the airport to Pahar Ganj takes about 45 minutes and depending on traffic conditions there. New Delhi is indeed crowded, do not be surprised. Don’t bother much about the traffic congestion, just hope your journey is smooth and safe. Do not be surprised to hear the surrounding sound of cars honking, this is normal and your ears will get use to hearing the hustle & bustle of traffic noise.
Pahar Ganj is the area we chose to stay; it was because it’s located near New Delhi Railway Station, from our hotel to the train station only takes about five minutes or slighly more to get there. Do not need to take public transport or Auto Rickshaw to get there. There are many budget hotels and travelers from all parts of the world choose to stay around this area. It’s common to see backpackers. Hotels charge round Rs. 800 and below. Backpacker hotels are abundant here. It’s quite safe at night, but I do not encourage you to go out its quite dark out there, it’s very different to the city center of Kuala Lumpur that we have streetlights right almost everywhere.
Actually this idea of travelling to India came rather spontaneously; just recently this idea pop up in our minds. Some friends suggested that we travel to Indonesia, Bali but not quite interesting because this destination is too common and a lot of people have been there. We want to do something different, we want travelling adventure. One of the reasons why people commonly go to Indonesia is because it’s the neighbouring country sharing similar language that made it easy to communicate; in addition the airfare price is affordable. If you want to travel elsewhere must be clear on how to communicate with the local people of that country, otherwise communicate in English, so we choose India as our destination, a country which is the former British colony.
Kuala Lumpur Sentral or KL Sentral to buy tickets, we chose MAS, Malaysia Airline System to New Delhi India because at that time Air Asia has not yet started direct flight to New Delhi, so we chose MAS because they fly direct to New Delhi from Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA.
Take the opportunity to travel to Agra where the Taj Mahal is located, a visit to India is not complete if you do not visit the Taj Mahal.
Flight fare with return ticket is RM1800. We could get cheaper fare if anyone of us, including myself didn’t hesitate to buy the tickets earlier, the delay has cost us paying the tickets price at a more expensive price, and it gets even more expensive as it gets nearer to the date of travel.
MAS provides flight services to India every day, I mean, every day there is a trip to India, so it is not difficult to make a reservation, we choose a suitable date for the travel. The flight departure is at 6:50 p.m flight MH190. It takes about 5 hours to get to New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport from KLIA.
MAS Flight MH190
KUL-DEL
Kuala Lumpur
Scheduled departure 6:50 PM Gate Terminal M C35
New Delhi
Scheduled arrival 9:50 PM Gate Terminal T3
Mas Flight MH191
DEL-KUL
New Delhi
Scheduled departure 11:10 PM Gate Terminal T3
Kuala Lumpur
Estimated Arrival 7:00 AM Terminal Gate M
Flight Fare RM1,800
We are going to Rajasthan as well as the Taj Mahal. I will share our train travel experience in India and understand how to buy train tickets in India, hopefully the things I have written here, the experience I am sharing will a little bit be of a guide for those who wish to go to India but do not know how to make the first step.
Among the preparation is to look for as much information as possible on the internet about Rajasthan, where the actual location, what is the distance from New Delhi to Rajasthan, the mode of transportation and the amount of time to reach there. Indeed, there is so much information you can find on the internet but the info is scattered that you need to spend much time searching and is no easy task to go from one website to another website, its very short time until it comes the day of your travel.
I decided to buy Lonely Planet book titled Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra, price RM95 from a bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. If we want to know about a destination it is better to buy books that could give us detailed information. I mean, it’s not smart to choose a travel guide book to India, where the book will tell the whole India in general. After all what we seek in detail should be about the exact location we intend to explore i.e. Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra in particular.
Lonely Planet book titled "Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra" it’s more focus on the location we want to go, rather than the book that would detailed out the whole places in INDIA, unless you intend to visit the whole of India.
Tickets for train travel in India can be purchased online, you can visit the websites INDIAN RAILWAY to make booking of train tickets but we did not book tickets online because we were afraid if then cancelled it would be a waste. So, we decided to take a risk to buy tickets later, when we arrived in New Delhi.
According to the website of Indian Railway, the ticket reservations can be made as early as 90 days before the trip. I recommend everyone who plans going to India at peak seasons, the time in which there is a festival in India, please make online reservation because there will be a crowd and it will not be easy to get train tickets in India. Thank God we were lucky we are able to buy last minute while in New Delhi. The month of June is quite hot in India and people don’t go around much, it may be among the reasons that we were still able get the train tickets.
We also need to get a visa to go to India, and the Indian Tourist Visa fee is RM190.00 including the service fees. For those who stay in Kuala Lumpur can get Indian Visa in office appointed by the Indian Embassy in Malaysia, office of this agency is located behind Sultan Abdul Samad building, next to the 7-Eleven shop. Visa can be ready in 2 days, today you sent for application, God willing, and it will be ready the next day.
Visa applications can also be delegated and need not come individually but the application form along with a copy of all airline tickets must complete. For more information can visit CENTRES INDIA INDIA VISA located at Jalan Lebuh Pasar Besar Kuala Lumpur. Don’t go to the Embassy of India in Malaysia because of the Embassy of India is no longer handle the preparation of visas. The procedure is quite simple, Passport and submit the completed form. No need to come for an interview, leave your Passport Visa Center in India and God willing, Passport can be taken the next day. India visa valid for up to 3 months from the date of issuance as indicated on the visa in the passport.
Never know if our Visa application is successful or not. Thank God, the passports are ready for collection on the next day; in fact we were quite nervous. Once the Passports are in our hands and able to see India Visa sticker in the passport, we all smile feeling relieved, many months have plan and finally we are very close to set foot in India, a country that is quite famous among Photographers worldwide especially those fond of the Adventure Photography.
We have one foot already in India’s doorstep; the Visa is like a ticket to get into India. We have taken care of Visa, the next in our plant is to find a suitable bag, and then it is best to use "backpack", a bag of ordinary we see used by foreign tourists going round everywhere in Kuala Lumpur.
The size of the backpack seems as if it’s large but once filled with clothes, not much space left, and besides we do not have to carry a lot of goods, except clothes and some snacks. We are not able to carry cooking utensils, as we are not camping in the woods. We travel in the city, and stay in hotels so our bags are fairly light because only filled with clothing. We did not bring along sleeping bags since sleeping bag will take considerable space.
Bring along small size laptop, lightweight and easy to carry everywhere, moreover, we need a computer to download pictures from the memory card. After discussing it with friends, we agreed, only one person carrying a laptop, after all, we do not have much time to go online, or surf the internet because always on the move.
For everyone’s info, two weeks before we go to India, I’ve made hotel room booking, the hotels we choose is Vivek Hotel located in Pahar Ganj, New Delhi. We choose this hotel one of the reasons because it is because of hotel rate, according to our budget. Making booking through online is very easy, no need to make a deposit, just enough to key in the date and time we will get there, and the type of room required and how many nights we intend to stay there.
We also chose to use "Pick Up Service", after reading the Lonely Planet guidebook, so we asked the hotel to provide services "Pick Up" as our airplane will arrive in New Delhi in the evening at 9:50 pm. Disembarking off the plane, go through immigration and other exit from the arrival hall the time is around 10.30pm. We do not want to waste time looking for a taxi there and do not want to waste time dealing with touts offering their services. Therefore "pick up" service is the right choice for us, especially to those who are first time here.
Among the reasons we choose Vivek Hotel is because the location is not far from New Delhi Railway Station, for us is very important to choose a hotel close to the train station because we travel a lot by train. So the location of the hotel is convenient, and according to Lonely Planet guide book we read, from Vivek Hotel or from Pahar Ganj area to the New Delhi Railway Station the distance is quite close, only to walk without requiring to use a taxi service or Auto Rickshaw, better known as "tuk-tuk".
We want to travel at the same time we also want to spend money wisely during the travel. Lonely Planet books provided much information, about the distance from one location to another location and the safety measures that need to be there to make any rental. As I wrote earlier, we did not make early reservation of railway tickets; we plan to buy train tickets when we arrive in New Delhi.
It’s a risk we had to take because of unfamiliar with booking Indian tickets online. Actually we also afraid of being cheated, the money already paid, the tickets can not get, so we prepared to take risk should we unable to get train tickets in New Delhi later, we may use an alternative route to the destination we intend to visit. I’ve been busy doing homework, online hotel booking, plan the routes and so on.
I’ve made Vivek Hotel online booking, they do not charge any fee for booking, based on Lonely Planet book and after viewing a Vivek Hotel website, we decide to stay in this hotel, the price is affordable, just round Rs. 600 to Rs. 800.
That was the only insight of Vivek hotel available to us at that time, we were fascinated by the picture on Vivek website. We made the hotel booking and we requested the hotel to provide "pick Up" services to pick us when we arrive there.
TRAVELLING DAY
Our flight from Kuala Lumpur was by Malaysia Airlines System. The plane takes off at 6:50 p.m local time in Kuala Lumpur and five hours journey to reach New Delhi.
The flight takes off in the evening. Outside the airplane window there is nothing to see along the way, most of time chatting with friends. The airplane was full, all the seats were occupied, and more interestingly, couldn’t find any other Malay people on the airplane except us, as well as the flight attendants onboard. The rest were the people of India, whether Malaysian Indian or the people originated from India. We assume that many Malaysian Indians travelling to India for vacation.
NEW DELHI
Finally we arrived in India after a five-hour flight, Alhamdulillah. Time difference between Malaysia and India is two and a half hour; they are two and a half hours later than us. Approximately 10:00 p.m local time in New Delhi we arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi, the facilities are not as nice as KLIA Airport. There aren’t that many exclusive shops as KLIA. The admission process was quite simple, there was no problem. A woman in her thirties stopped us for a moment, when we were about to leave the Airport. She asked me what was in our bags, I replied only the clothes and asked what our intention for coming here and where we were going.
Possible that she saw the bagpack we carried a bit strange because all bags we wrapped in plastic, we use the services of "Bag Wrap" at KLIA was to seal our bags, afraid that someone might insert or remove something from our bag, so we decided to wrap our bag with the plastic. Alhamdulillah after satisfied with our answer, then we already released with a smile, "Have a Nice Day" she said, perhaps one of the security officers on duty. A bit of nervous at the time, but that's a piece of experience that had confronted when people entering a different country. I told her that we're going to New Delhi and Agra but I never mention Rajasthan. It seems that Agra and the Taj Mahal are common destinations for tourist, and the answer was most convenient I could provide her, so as not to make matters complicated. The less info you tell the immigration official, the less time they hold you up.
Once out of the Airport main door, my eyes wildly searching for the staff of Vivek Hotel who should meet us. Outside the Airport there are many people who hold white A4 sized cards with the person's name appears as the name of the hotel, I look for the card that says my name. If they do not come then we need to take a taxi to the hotel.
We look around vigorously and thank God, at last I saw an Indian man holding a white card that says my name and the name of the hotel, so I waved at him, and then followed him out of the Airport to get to his car. Despite the time 11:00 p.m in New Delhi, feel very warm, like sitting by the campfire and there was a pungent smell that I could not stand it, as if poking straight into the nostrils. New Delhi air quality was terrible, we were lucky that Kuala Lumpur much cleaner.
Despite of my suspicions, I follow the man through the hall like a tunnel to get his car, in my mind wondering where this stranger would take me. I comfort myself by starting a friendly conversation with him, asking how far distance Airport to Hotel and how the weather in India. Less than five minute walking we arrive in an area where there are a lot of cars and drivers, around this area is quite dark.
I had booked a van to pick us up, but somehow the hotel thought the taxi or van provided should be enough for all of us, but the size of the van is a little small for us, when we enter the bagpacks with us and the driver, not enough space, we had to wait almost half an hour for another taxi. The comparison between the size of the van on the side was smaller than the size of the car.
The area where we stand waiting for the taxi was rather dark and hot. The journey from Airport to Vivek Hotel in Pahar Ganj takes approximately 45 minutes.
Once arrive at Vivek Hotel, the first thing we need to decide is how are we to get out of New Delhi the next day early morning, we do not want to be caught in New Delhi, the unbearable hot weather here in the afternoon in New Delhi, even hotter than the weather in Malaysia.
DAY 1
It’s the first morning, without having breakfast, we walk to New Delhi Railway Station, not far from Pahar Ganji where we stay, turn to the left and continue straight, even if we ran it will not take five minutes to get to the train station, normal walk will take around five minutes to fifteen minutes, we were busy taking pictures during our short journey to the train station. In our path, didn’t come across any Malay People besides ourselves.
NEW DELHI TRAIN STATION
To travel by train in India we could buy tickets from Malaysia using online, tickets usually available a month earlier, and this is a smart choice, afraid if run out of tickets. Other alternatives such as bus and car hire, but a trip to India is not complete if you don’t experience travelling by train. Hopefully we can check out from the hotel at 12 noon. Tonight we plan to leave New Delhi and travel to Jodhpur by train.
The vicinity of the hotel to the train station is also known as the Main Bazaar, it is something like Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, except that Pahar Ganj Main Bazaar no roof along the street.
The seller activities are on roadside, all sorts of souvenirs, clothes, bags and saris are on sale. Should you not bring many clothes, do not worry, you can buy it here in the Pahar Ganj Main Bazaar.
Never know when again we can find a supermarket, so we could stock up on food and drink and we did the same whenever we can find one. I guess that’s how it should be done here.
Here is busy with Western Tourists walking back and forth more or less like us, carrying large backpacks and there are some carrying only small bags at the waist. This area doesn’t have five-star hotels.
As soon as we reached New Delhi Railway Station, we were a bit confused which direction to go, its crowded here, we keep looking until suddenly we were approached by a man asking us what we're looking for, I said, we try to find tourist ticketing counter. The man said that the office was closed and moved to another place, not far from the train station and he repeatedly urging us to follow him.
Thank God,lucky we made our search, in fact we were trying to look for International Travel Bureau, where there we can get train tickets on tourist quota, we do not need to rush as the rest of citizens of India for buying ticket, and do not easily trust people who say that the office was closed, burnt down, it has already been moved and all sorts of nonsense, they are all bluffs for them to make a profit. They will take us to their agents for tickets and they will get a commission, so we politely brush this man aside and continue to look around.
To purchase tickets at the New Delhi Railway Station is quite a challenge, but after a bit of search and the tips I got from Lonely Planet book. At New Delhi Railway Station we will be approached by a person that will offer to help us, ask us where we are going, he will try to persuade you to follow him to get the train tickets. He will get commission if successful to bring customers to buy tickets from him.
In Shanghai you have the Teahouse scam, but here in New Delhi you have the Train Tickets scam which is a bit different. In New Delhi Train Station there will be a man approaching you and ask where you are heading and once you ask for direction to the special ticketing counter for tourist, he will tell you that the counter has already been closed, is being upgraded or moved to other places and offers his help to bring you to another ticket office, do not believe them. They are all touts trying to sell you tickets.
The LP book mentioned about Tourist train ticket quota and there is a special counter for Tourist to buy a ticket, we do not have to queue up like other Indian citizens to purchase tickets.
Ticket counter for Tourist is located on the first floor of the main building of New Delhi Railway Station, go to level one and you will see signs for "International Tourist Bureau" go up the stairs. We can buy tickets for trips to the whole of India at the counter, for example, if we want to Jaipur, spent the entire day there and then the next day resume journey to Jodhpur or Udaipur, you can manage your all tickets at the counter here, one stop center.
In the train station building you can see people waiting for train ride, there are many people waiting for the train at the door of the building, there were people lying on the floor, sleeping on the floor and all sorts of people behaviours can be seen here. While we were at this station a young boy came past on his hands and knees, sweeping the floor then stopping at each row of seats begging for money. It’s so hard to see that sort of extreme poverty. It serves no justice to compare with the Train Stations we have back in our home country.
We found the office located on the first floor, Alhamdulillah. There are few foreigners here buying tickets, rather than to stand in a line, we join the queue while remained seated, meaning there are seats available, not require to take a number but need to queue while sitting on seats, when a person gets up to the counter, the next person move to his seat, so on until our turn to approach the counter. Behind the wall there is a large display counter which indicated the names of the railway and where the train is going, difficult to understand the names of the railway, a bit confusing for us since not familiar.
We need to fill out a form before the queue, information the location where we want to go and other train travel details. Their ticket counter doesn’t have glass panel separating the customer and seller, there is a long table, like old office such as the scenery out of P. Ramlee movies. When it was our turn, I approached the counter and give the person at the counter the form that we filled out earlier. A bit worried, wondering if the tickets are sold out, buying tickets the last minute, buying the tickets in the morning and expect to travel tonight, the very same day. It might happen that they will run out of tickets. If that’s the case then we had to find another way to continue our journey, possibly by bus.
BIKANER HOUSE BUS STATION
Bikaner House Bus Stand, at Pandara Road, India Gate (Central Delhi) provides hourly air-conditioned Volvo buses to cities of Rajasthan (State famous for royal fortified desert-towns) - Jaipur (State-Capital), Udaipur (Lake City), Jodhpur etc. Bus Stand is not crowded, well-maintained and ideal for travelling.
Bus service operated by the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) starting from Delhi and going all the way Jodhpur.
The bus leaves from Delhi at 8 pm sharp You can board this bus from Bikaner House on Pandora Road.
Names of busses such as Shrinath Nandu Travels, Vishkarma Nirman Travels, Vikas Travels: Departure Time 8 p.m. and reach Jodhpur the next morning at 8 a.m.
If you are planning going from New Delhi to Jaipur, you can find buses from Dhaula Kuan Bus Station or go to Bikaner House Bus Station. Will be able to get a bus on 15 min regular interval. Journey by bus will take around 6-7 hours to reach Jaipur.
If you plan to travel from Delhi to Jaipur, bus journey takes about 6 hours. Rajasthan State Road Transport Cooperation (RSRTC) runs Volvo busses. You can board the bus from Bikaner House Bus Station in Delhi at 23:59 p.m. will reach Jaipur Sindhi Camp Bus Station at around 6 a.m. in the morning.
SARAI KALE KHAN BUS STAND
New Delhi to Agra takes approx. 4½ hours journey by Bus. One can go by bus from Sarai Kale Khan Bus Stand that is near Nizamuddin Railway Station. Buses are available throughout the day normal frequency every thirty minutes . The bus fare to Agra, Rs.120 approx.
TRAIN TICKETS USING FTQ
The Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ) is a small set of seats on certain trains kept aside for foreigners travelling in India on a tourist visa. Seeing that the bulk of foreign tourists visiting India have no idea how early train tickets can sell out, this quota can be a godsend.
Thank God, we are lucky since there are still tickets available; we bought tickets from New Delhi to Jodhpur, next Jodhpur to Jaipur and next Jaiput to Agra and also Agra to New Delhi. In fact here we can buy tickets for the trip, that can buy round trip tickets but we decided to just buy tickets to Jaipur only and we plan to buy a ticket at the train station in Jaipur to continue the next trip. Rather than that we do not want to be too bound by time. If we buy a ticket all together, then we will be bound by a limited time, so this decision gives us some freedom, if we want to stay a little longer in Jaipur we can make decisions there and we are happy to get a ticket to Jodhpur or better known as the "Blue City".
For your information, even if we buy tickets here in New Delhi Train Station, we still need to go to Old Delhi Railway Station to board the train to Jodhpur. Old Delhi Railway Station is about 30 minutes drive from New Delhi railway station, the train will depart this evening at 9:15 PM train Mandore Night Express.
http://indiarailinfo.com/search/old-delhi-dli-to-jodhpur-ju/349/0/126
Ranikhet Express
Departure 4:40; Arrival 17:35; Duration 12h 55m
Salasar Shrungavarpukta Fast
Departure 7:05; Arrival 19:15; Duration 12h 10m
Delhi Jaisalmer Express
Departure 17:35; Arrival 5:31; Duration 11h 56m
Mandor Express
Departure 21:15; Arrival 7:50; Duration 10h 35m
Rajsthn S Kranti
Departure 22:25; Arrival 8:30; Duration 10h 5m
For readers information, tickets for all train travel can be purchased at this station, not necessarily mean that to start your journey from this station, for example, I bought tickets to Jodhpur in Rajasthan, I am still able to catch a train from other railway station, which is located in Old Delhi, approximately 20 to 30 minutes from the New Delhi railway station. Before you leave the ticket counter, ask the person at the counter or check your tickets to make sure which station the train will depart from, so as not to cause problems later on.
Get off at Chandni Chowk Metro Station. Then walk to Old Delhi Railway Station.
OLD DELHI TRAIN STATION
At the train station there are eateries outside the building and there was also a McDonald's in the station. If you want to take pictures outside the station many human interest can be found around the building and those waiting for train. Foodstalls outside of this building having menus that serve various types of food and I can say it’s fairly clean, but busy with people. Rather dark in the building and there is a feeling of discomfort, many people sleeping in the building. The situation like this we can’t see in KL Sentral railway station in Kuala Lumpur.
The train classes
First Class (Air conditioned) (AC1 or First AC)
This has an old school train travel charm, a coupe with 4 beds with a lockable door and all necessary bedding. The berths convert to seats for daytime use.
AC 2 Tier (2 AC)
Not too different from AC 1, the AC 2 tier does not have a lockable door and the additional space for luggage.
AC 3 Tier (3 AC)
The AC 3 tier is the cheapest of the AC options, and the only discomfort is that 3x2 seating, instead of a 2x2 seating. It has three tiers of bunks - upper, middle and lower on one side and two (upper and lower) along the the other side of the aisle.
Sleeper
This is non Air condition and available in 3 tier seating format of 3x2, a replica of the AC 3 tier.
AC Chair Car (CC)
Normally shorter journey trains and certain frequently travelled business sectors have AC chair cars.
Non AC Chair Car (SS)
The Non AC chair car is a little more cramped than the AC one and does not have power connections either. These are recommended for more daily travelers and tourists often do not choose this class.
Unreserved
Now this is an experience only for the seasoned backpacker, who can handle crowds, pushing shoving and enjoy being one of the masses.
DELHI TO JODHPUR (620 KMS, 10 HOURS 30 MINUTES)
Our trip to Jodhpur, Rajasthan or better known as the "Blue City" took 10.5 hours, and during this journey, the train will stop at various stations to pick up and drop off passengers. We chose the air-conditioned coach, the Tier 2 coach.
A Sleeper Class carriage consists of 9 open sections; each section has 2 shorter side berths, side upper and side lower, and 6 longer inside berths (upper, middle and lower in 2 rows facing each other).
The carriage changes for daytime travel, the padded mattress of the lower side berth lifts to reveal 2 long seats and the 2-part mattress transform into 2 comfortable back rests, these seats face each other and are single window seats, perfect for a couple travelling together, the side upper berth remains fixed in place.
The inside 6 berths also become 6 seats, each lower berth becomes a seat for 3 people, the middle berth drops down to become a backrest, the upper berth remains fixed in place, so you have 2 x 3-person seats that face each other..
As we travel at night, unable to see outside the window because it’s quite dark. Only early the next morning, we wake up could see many interesting sights along the way to Jodhpur.
For readers’ info, tourists that are keen to see India’s spectacular landscape will usually take "Golden Triangle" route that is the route New Delhi - Jaipur - Agra and back to Delhi but we went a bit further than that, the route to Jodhpur, through Jaipur better known by the name "Pink City" because of the many pink buildings here. For those who are short on time and want to experience Experience can select routes in the Golden Triangle, the Delhi - Jaipur and Agra, shorter route compared to Jodhpur.
DAY 2
JODHPUR
The train ride was quite long. The train journey takes 10.5 hours, and finally we arrived here at 7.50 a.m.
Jodhpur is not difficult to find a budget hotel. We get out from Jodhpur railway station, across the street we can see a lot of backpackers hotels. I suggest that you stay in a hotel near the train station for easy access, and besides, in front of the train station there are many “Auto Rickshaw” or what we call "Tuk-Tuk", ready to offer their service to go everywhere you wish.
Here we stayed in Govind Hotel located near Jodhpur Railway Station. It’s easy to walk from the station to the hotel.
Govind Hotel is located opposite Main Jodhpur Post Office, we chose this hotel based on the recommendation by Lonely Planet book. If you want to find it on your own, many budget hotels along this street. The cost is not expensive, Rs. 800 and below, get a better room if you want to stay longer. I chose the room with only ventilation fan, quite cheap. Room with airconditioning system is a bit expensive and for backpackers, comfort is not the main thing but it’ll be just great to be able to experience everyday’s life of the people living in this area.
Jodhpur is also known as the "Blue City" because in one of the areas in Jodhpur not far from Mehrangarh Fort, you can find wherever else in the city the buildings are painted blue.
For those interested in taking human interest photos in Blue City, is advisable to stay longer here. One night is not enough, stay at least 2 nights or more, hence you could explore every corner of the streets and hallways in the Blue City. We stayed only one night here and did not manage to take photo of Blue City’s life portraits, we got this opportunity only once along the way to the Mehrangarh Fort.
Those who are interested to experience the "Desert Safari" can deal with the hotel, most of them provide this service and usually travel with a camel in Thar Desert takes 2 to 3 days often start in Jaisalmer. We did not experience this, maybe in the future, God willing.
Speaking about food, maybe you can try "Biryani by Weight", why did I called it Biryani by weigh? The seller uses traditional bronze weighing balance scale to weigh your biryani that you pay according to the weight of Biryani you had taken. The seller using that type of traditional scales used to weigh the food. It’s a small food stall, located in front of our hotel we stayed, across the street, a row of shops selling all kinds of textile fabrics. The food stall is located in front of the hotel. At the food stall the seller weighs a portion of rice biryani. You pay for your food by weight on your plate. That's the weight of the food, not your weight, if your weight they might as well eat you up. You can try "Biryani by Weight”, if interested.
Since this trip is our first to India, we do not intend to stay long here since we are eager to see what’s next, so we stay in Jodhpur for just one night.
DAY 3
This morning we will continue our train journey to Jaipur better known as the "Pink City" because of the many pink buildings here. Tickets to Jaipur we have already bought in New Delhi. We walked from the hotel to Jodhpur train station, less than 300 meters from the hotel.
Barmer Guwahati Express
Departure 1:55; Arrival 9:00; Duration 7h 5m
Intercity Express
Departure 6:10; Arrival 11:12; Duration 5h 2m
Ranikhet Express
Departure 6:35; Arrival 14:43; Duration 8h 8m
Jodhpur Bhopal Pass
Departure 8:05; Arrival 18:00; Duration 9h 55m
Marudhar Expres
Departure 9:30; Arrival 15:53; Duration 6h 23m
Settigunta Jaipur Jodhpur Express
Departure 16:30; Arrival 21:15; Duration 4h 45m
Mandor Express
Departure 19:50; Arrival 0:50; Duration 5h 0m
Jodhpur Kolkata Supfast
Departure 20:30; Arrival 1:50; Duration 5h 20m
Malani Express
Departure 21:12; Arrival 5:08; Duration 7h 56m
Delhi Jaisalmer Express
Departure 23:15; Arrival 5:08; Duration 5h 53m
Floors Bilaspur Express
Departure 1:35; Arrival 7:52; Duration 6h 17m
Marudhar Expres
Departure 9:30; Arrival 15:53; Duration 6h 23m
Floors Vishakapatnam Express
Departure 14:00; Arrival 20:31; Duration 6h 31m
Floors Mq Express
Departure 15:30; Arrival 21:47; Duration 6h 17m
Rjsthn S device
Departure 19:00; Arrival 0:15; Duration 5h 15m
Our train departed from Jodhpur Train Station at 9: 30 am, we still have plenty of daylight for photo taking. The scenery was so amazing, but the fact, I am not able describe it with words. I wish I could tell you how beautiful it was during our 6.5 hour train journey from Jodhpur to Jaipur. We spent most of our time taking pictures along the way. I have a sudden urge to do the Chaiyya Chaiyya dance on train roof top such as Hindi movie "Dil Se..", one most famous songs ever performed by Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora, wondering where I can find a partner to dance with me at that time.
Everything fascinates us along the way, we can see sheepherds along the way, there was a time that we feel as if we are watching live National Geographic performance in front of our eyes, the land along the way was dry, sometimes it looks like a desert and most of the times it was barren soil along the way. The locals did not give much attention to the scenery outside, but to all of us, this was something new, we do not want to miss a thing, I did not sleep during the journey so busy capturing what life has to offer along the way, this was the only way we can share pieces of our journey with friends.
On the train, whenever a train stopped at the station, hawkers selling food would make their way up and down the outside of the train serving passengers through the windows. Some hawkers would go onto the train and sell food to those who couldn’t be reached from outside.
JAIPUR
Jaipur: Does It Come in Pink?
We reached Jaipur Railway Station at about 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon, the temperature still hot, I mean really, really hot, during our long train journey. We have to decide where we want to stay. But it makes much sense that we choose a hotel nearest to the railway station. We plan to stay at Hotel Swagatam managed by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) that night. The hotel location just outside the railway station, about a five minutes walk to the left of the railway station main entrance. We arrived at the hotel reception and made hotel reservation for 2 nights.
After leaving our things at the hotel room, we had our meal at the hotel’s restaurant before making decision on our next move. We decided to join RTDC Pink City Night Tour which starts at 6:30 p.m from Jaipur Railway Station. The tour cost us Rs. 200 per person including dinner at Nahargarh Fort. We made our Night Tour booking at the hotel itself, Swagatam Hotel where we stayed.
Jaipur is the capital city of the state of Rajasthan. Regional Rajasthan desert area is the most extensive in India. Desert areas are located in Rajasthan and Gujarat region which is in the west. This city was named after Maharaja Jai Singh, once the ruler of this region. The city is known as the pink city, but in my view is not pink colour, but red bricks. Some may call the color pink terracotta or red sand. The entire building was painted uniformly by local authorities, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, when receiving the visit of Prince Albert of the British Empire, when India was still a British colony territory. So the Prince got a good impression about the city and its ruler, of course. The pink color is considered has the meaning of welcome and hospitality. Since after, the ruling request that every building shall remained painted with the same color. Iconic old city buildings as well as Hawa Mahal in the city are the main attractions.
DAY 4
Today we are going around Jaipur.
Albert Hall is now a museum. The first brick laying was in conjunction with the visit by Prince Albert. When beginning the construction of this building has not yet determined what it was going to be, then decided later on became a museum by the local government.
There were so many pigeons around and above the roof of Albert Hall
Powerful emperor in Jaipur lived in the palace, about 50 meters from Hawa Mahal. Some parts of the palace are now converted into museum collections. Entrance ticket for foreigner is Rs.300.
Many of the Emperor's palaces became museums or luxury hotels, as a source of income for those who have large wealth to support their lifestyle being the descendant of the Emperor. What is interesting here is so much collection of weapons since the reign of the Emperor of the Mughals to the British colonial period. There are a collection of jewelry and emperor clothing and his family. They are well preserved. This is because the first Maharaja of Jaipur decided to avoid confrontation with the dominant power in the Mughal and British. This is a city that has never been plundered and never faces destruction. It’s prohibited to take pictures inside the palace.
CHANDRA MAHAL MAIN BUILDING
Building used as a sort of hall by the Emperor to listen to the opinions of his aides.
Mubarak Mahal, a building with the typical architecture of Rajasthan. A location the Emperor greeted his guests. Now a museum where a collection of ancient Emperor Regalia clothing, I look at its measurement and fashion similar to those in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. The fashion seems to be the trend at the time. One of the relics on exhibit is a bronze pot, made of 14000 pieces of bronze with a capacity of 4000 liters.
AMBER FORT
Amer or better known as Amber Fort is located on a hill about 2 km outside the city was the capital of this region, before being transferred to Jaipur. Castle built on a hill at the same time it serves as a fortress. The Amber Fort is the main attraction of foreign and domestic tourists in the city. The size is very large and looks magnificent as it is on a hill with a small lake at the bottom.
This Fort resembles the Great Wall in China, the hills around the Amber Fort.
The size and architecture Amber Fort seems as majestic as the castles in Europe. The building surrounding the fort is connected like the Great Wall in China. To get here, get on bus no.5 from Jaipur city center. Amber Fort admission is Rs.300 for foreigners.
That night in Amber Fort in Jaipur was held a historical performance event by Amitabh Bachan, the famous Bollywood actor. It was accompanied by lighting effects at Amber Fort to dramatize the story. The fee was Rs.100 for this show. I was just interested in taking photo the effects of light in the Amber Fort that evening, so I waited across the street with a camera ready. Having managed to take some pictures, the officials approached me to inform that I was not allowed to take pictures because there was a show. I argued that I was not taking video, besides, from this distance I wasn’t able to hear the sound of the show, but the officials still insist it, therefore I left.
Jal Mahal or Water Palace is located on the right side on the road to Amber Fort. I stop by here on returning from Amber. The water is calm and sky clear, we will be able to see the reflection of the palace in the water. So I deliberately waited until sunset to Jal Mahal to see reflection in the water.
Man Sagar Lake surrounding the castle is a reservoir of water for the people of this region. Formerly it had been a water crisis that affects the hunger crisis to make the local authorities to expand the size of the lake and a dam nearby. The lake water itself collects annual rain water each month from June to October. The castle in the middle of the lake was once used by the royal family for sightseeing. The castle is said to only have a large room and roof garden. The castle has five floors with four floors submerged under water.
Along the roadside park many locals gather around, spend an afternoon while enjoying a view of Jal Mahal.
Hawa Mahal is located in the middle of the market in the old city. The building was intended for women of the royal family. A five-story building with lots of colorful little windows, the women of the royal family could look at the market life outside the palace without having to leave the palace. The windows are also to let the air to ventilate during the hot summer months. Its architecture is said to replicate the crown worn by Khrishna, one of the gods in Hindu puja. There are also those who say it was modelled after a honeycomb.
Get on Metro at Railway Station Metro station and get off at Chandpole Metrostation. Walk to the nearby bus stop. Get on bus no. 9A and get off at Hawa Mahal.
Getting around: Start from Albert Hall, then walk through the streets of the old town and Hawa Mahal. Probably about 15 minutes on foot. Hawa Mahal about 50 meters enterance of the City Palace. Wait at the busstop at roundabout near Hawa Mahal and take the bus no.5, no.21 or no.1, all heading towards Amber Fort and also the Jal Mahal. The buses are large and comfortable. I recommend you take bus no.5 because not too crowded with passengers. Only pay Rs.15 each way. Pay the exact amount, because the conductor likes to forget to return your change, so you must request.
City bus no. 5 connects directly Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, New Gate and the intersection of MI Road and Railway Rd every 10 minutes until 9 PM. Bus fare is Rs. 15.
PARAMPARA RESTAURANT
This is a Muslim restaurant. Jaipur Parampara Restaurant is located opposite Brahmpuri Police Station along Amer Road on the way to Amber Fort.
I had Garlic Naan and Chicken Tandoori at Parampara Restaurant. So, what's the verdict?
Delicious! The best tandoori I think I've ever eaten. I finished off the chicken and everything. Or would that be because perhaps I was really hungry?
Frankly it was good. Restaurant Manager was OK. Many times he came to my table and later on we even continue chatting outside the restaurant.
Overall, food in India is not difficult to find Halal restaurants, just have to be careful and choose clean restaurants. Thank God, I did not get stomach ache.
Getting To Parampara Restaurant:
Jaipur City Bus no. 5
1. Badi Chaupad --> 2. Ramgarh Mod
M.M. KHAN RESTAURANT
We had Biryani halal restaurant at Jaipur's famous Ramganj Bazar Road. M.M. Khan Restaurant is located in a Muslim majority area that serves a variety of biryani in their menu. As usual choose to eat lamb biryani rice. It’s delicious and relatively cheap.
SINDHI CAMP BUS TERMINAL
Sindhi Camp is the inter-state bus terminal of Jaipur. It is located along Station Road in Jaipur. It is Central Bus Stand for Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC). Buses are available for Delhi, Agra and other locations.
RSRTC bus departs from Sindhi camp bus station in Jaipur and it arrives in Agra at Idgah bus Station.
JAIPUR NIGHT TOUR
The night was great with few quick stops at some of the beautiful sight around Jaipur but there was nothing much we can shoot photo at sun down, so we just enjoy the scene. They provided us with small jeep to take us around. Apart from our group, there was a couple from Kerala, I think they just got married, and another was a young lady from Canada, actually she has been working in India for already a few months.
The tour took almost four hours including dinner at beautiful Nahargarh Fort which located high overlooking the city from a sheer ridge to the north. The view of the city of Jaipur at night from the fort was amazing and not to be forgotten, our dinner was mouth watering. We really enjoy the food here. Another thing, the road leading to the fort was quite scenic itself.
After a couple of days of exploring Jaipur, the time has come to catch the train to Agra and the Taj Mahal.
Jodhpur Kolkata Supfast
02:10 05:55 3h 45m
Agra Super Fast
04:15 08:20 4h 5m
Udaipur Burj Express
06:15 10:55 4h 40m
Af Jaipur Shatabdi
07:05 10:35 3h 30m
Bikaner Guwahati Express
09:10 13:05 3h 55m
Barmer Guwahati Express
09:10 13:05 3h 55m
Ananya Express
09:15 15:30 6h 15m
Ajmer Sealdah Express
14:55 18:50 3h 55m
Allahabad Jaipur Express
15:20 21:40 6h 20m
Marudhar Expres
15:45 20:05 4h 20m
Af Ajmer Intercity
17:10 21:40 4h 30m
Ziyarat Express
02:35 08:45 6h 10m
Bikaner Express NOAA Shrungavarpukta
11:45 15:15 3h 30m
Marudhar Expres
15:45 20:05 4h 20m
Ranchi Garib Nawaz
21:40 03:15 5h 35m
DAY 5
We arrived at Jaipur train station early morning at 6.30 am with plenty of time to kill before our train departure time at 7.00 am. Agra is at the end of the line and our train was the first to leave for the day so it was waiting time there for us. We boarded, found our seats, put our bags in the overhead racks and settled in for the long trip to Agra.
The road trip to Agra as it was scheduled to take 4 hours. But what an adventure it was. After an hour or so, I encountered sheep for as far as the eye could see on the road. As the monsoon rains had not been so good for the year, the shepherds were moving their flocks to keep them fed. First came the lambs, then the sheep. Following on were camels laden with baskets, holding the lambs that had been born enroute and finally more camels with women and children onboard. This went on for around a few minutes.
AGRA
We finally arrived in Agra at 10.40 a.m. An Indian man helped us with a smile, offered us friendly advice and helped us get our gears off the train. He asked for nothing in return so we gave him a decent tip. There’s a lesson to be learned by other Indians from the way this man treated us without any expectations for rewards.
We got off at Agra Cantt Railway Station and made our way straight out into the heaving throng of tuk tuk and taxi drivers yelling at anyone who came within earshot. We were ushered to the pre-paid taxi stand and we organised a ride to our hotel. It cost Rs.250, for a non-air conditioned taxi (it was Rs.300 if you wanted air-conditioning). TIP: If you’re asked whether you want AC or not, say no because once you’re in the taxi the cab driver puts the AC on anyway. They don’t want to drive around in sweltering heat any more than you do. If they don’t you can always wind down the windows.
Agra Cantonment Railway Station to Taj Mahal distance just around six to seven kilometers. It should take between fifteen to twenty minutes to reach Taj Ganj from the railway station.
We arrived at the hotel, Saniya Palace Inn, made reservation for the night and checked in to our room. The hotel is ok, it truly is only a stone's throw from the main gate, and you can see the Taj from the rooftop restaurant.
Most people who travel to Agra wanted to see the magnificent Taj Mahal. It is located in Taj Ganj area. There are plenty of budget hotels here, you do not need a hostel, a hotel is cheaper here and the best thing is, you do not have to take Auto Rickshaw or taxi to visit the Taj Mahal, it is just within a walking distance.
Stay around the Taj Ganj area, the best thing that you can do is, to look for a hotel that has the best view of the Taj Mahal from its rooftop restaurant. Most of the hotels situated here have rooftop balcony, some have better view than others.
The other hotel that has great view of the Taj Mahal from its rooftop restaurant is Hotel Kamal. Actually there are plenty of budget hotels at Taj Ganj to choose from, even though this two hotels may not be the best in Taj Ganj, but they are among the best that offer great view of the Taj Mahal from its rooftop and it took less than five minutes walk from the hotel to the front Gate of the Taj Mahal South.
The location of the hotel is quite important since we want to have easy access to the place that we want to take photo and don’t have to rush to get to the place and can stay as long as you want, without worrying on how to get back to hotel.
The following morning we're up and on the way to the Taj Mahal! I can't believe it! Agra is a strange place for tourism. The streets surrounding the three main gates are winding and tightly packed.
If you come to Agra and not visiting Taj then it will be a waste. So let’s go there, and guess what, at the ticket counter it was too crowded and I stood in the queue for around half an hour, and I finally got the chance to enter inside. And once I entered I just forgot all the pain and trouble I had, because the beauty of Taj was really amazing it was shinning bright like a diamond. What ever I heard about Taj was really true, I have seen thousands of pictures of Taj, but when I look it with my own eyes, I was like "This is one of the most beautiful things I ever saw".
Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and to see it with my own eyes, as previously can only be seen in pictures or through television and tourism magazines. I was there for around 2-3 hrs approx and whole time I was just looking at the beauty standing at front of me shinning bright on the sand of time.
Taj Mahal appear through the humid fog off in the distance. I can't believe I'm actually standing here, looking at this magnificent building, gleaming white, even at night.
There are people everywhere, mostly Indian tourists again, but about 20% are foreign tourists. The outer gate, with its red sandstone and white marble inlays is very beautiful. Upon walking through the small archway the full view of the Taj Mahal is breathtaking. Such symmetrial architecture on a grand scale perfectly framed by the gate door is spectacular. You can literally look through the window at the back of the Taj Mahal, look down almost a kilometer away through the main gate, out to the courtyard and through the gate we came in and into the twisted city market area.
We join the crowd of people on the small landing just inside the gate to get our photo opportunity. Once there's a small opening we wedge our way in and take a few photos of each other. Luckily, unlike other places in India where people have no respect for others trying to take photos, people here make a gap so you can take photo.
The central aisle has been closed to tourists, so all of our photos turn out just perfect. The walk up the long water channel is stunning. On the marble pedestal that the main mausoleum sits on everyone is either barefoot or wearing shoes covers walk up the stairs to the tall entrance door. The windows into the main tomb are very intricately carved marble screens and cast beautiful shadows on the interior.
On either side of the Taj are beautiful red standstone buildings. On the West is the Mosque and there are so many colours from the inlaid stone carving that it takes a long time just to take it all in. Intricately carved flowers and verses from the Quran cover the facade of the Taj. The inlaid stones came from all over the middle east and asia. Not only did the flowers and vines have to be carved out of the marble, but exactly matching pieces of stone had to be carved and inserted in the voids in the marble, and each is perfectly flush with the marble and still in place after hundreds of years.
THE RED FORT
After we've got our Rs. 750 worth of Taj Mahal tour (about 3 hours of sitting and watching) I left the place and went to visit Red fort of Agra. There is only one main road leading away from the Taj, off to the side and on the way to the Red Fort, about 2km away. Otherwise, the city is very congested and there are a lot tourist shops just outside the gate.
It’s a very large fort just upstream of the Taj Mahal (they're both located on the banks of a very large river). It’s a typical Indian fort, with intricate palaces on the interior and a vast network of buildings and hallways. Parts of the fort are still used by the Indian Army, a testament to the lasting durability of the fort.
All the places I visited were almost same in color as well as in design and architecture as they all are related to Mugal Era. Red fort is another huge palace from where the Kings use to rule the whole city.
I was really tired after visiting the whole fort, as it was huge and I started feeling hot as sun was shining bright.
FATHEPUR SIKHRI
I hired one autorickshaw and started toward Fathepur - Sikhri, one of the best places to see in Agra. The best thing I was enjoying was the fog, the new place, new people, everything. So I reached Fathepur sikhri around 9.00am in the morning, and I could still see the fog covering the main entrance. But the place was really awesome, beautiful architecture and design on the walls. Like other architectural buildings in India this is also related with lots of stories and legends related to The Great Akbar. The Dargha, mosque every thing was beautiful.
When I came out, I came to know that there is a Jodha Bai's Palace aka Mariam uz-Zamani just near by. So I went there also, this place is famous cause first wife of Akbar use to come to this palace and spend lots of time. And I was really astonished to see the palace, as this was the first time visiting such palace, the beauty was undescribable. And it was also well maintained by govt of India. As I visited both place in morning and it was too foggy, there were not many tourists.
Our journey ends in Agra. We have to go back to New Delhi today at noon, to catch the return flight tomorrow.
IDGAH BUS STATION
Most long-distance buses for Inter State Bus Service leave from Idgah Bus Stand.
Services from Idgah Bus Stand include frequent bus trips to Delhi (Rs117, 4½ hours) and other locations.
AGRA – NEW DELHI (194KM, 3 HOURS 45 MINUTES)
TRAIN SCHEDULES
Amritsar Expres
Departure 0:16; Arrival 5:26; Duration 5h 10m
Daksha Link Express
Departure 0:50; Arrival 4:05; Duration 3h 15m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 0:50; Arrival 4:05; Duration 3h 15m
Malwa Express
Departure 1:25; Arrival 5:00; Duration 3h 35m
Patalkot Express
Departure 1:55; Arrival 6:15; Duration 4h 20m
Jabalpur Express Nizamuddin Shrungavarpukta
Departure 2:09; Arrival 5:15; Duration 3h 6m
U P Smprk device
Departure 2:25; Arrival 5:25; Duration 3h 0m
Grand Trunk Express
Departure 2:50; Arrival 7:10; Duration 4h 20m
Nizamuddin Link Express
Departure 3:05; Arrival 6:20; Duration 3h 15m
gohad Express
Departure 3:05; Arrival 6:20; Duration 3h 15m
Rajdhani Express
Departure 3:30; Arrival 5:55; Duration 2h 25m
Tamil Nadu Express
Departure 3:53; Arrival 7:05; Duration 3h 12m
Gondwana Express
Departure 4:18; Arrival 7:20; Duration 3h 2m
Bhopal Express
Departure 4:50; Arrival 8:00; Duration 3h 10m
Telangana Express
Departure 5:23; Arrival 9:05; Duration 3h 42m
Intercity Express
Departure 6:00; Arrival 10:20; Duration 4h 20m
Karnataka Express
Departure 6:45; Arrival 10:30; Duration 3h 45m
Ind Dehradun Express
Departure 7:08; Arrival 11:10; Duration 4h 2m
Jabalpur New Delhi Shrungavarpukta Express;
Departure 7:35; Arrival 11:50; Duration 4h 15m
Rajdhani Express
Departure 7:57; Arrival 10:25; Duration 2h 28m
Mahakaushal Express
Departure 8:18; Arrival 11:40; Duration 3h 22m
Sachkhand Express
Departure 8:40; Arrival 12:10; Duration 3h 30m
Shri Ganganagar Nanded Expres
Departure 9:15; Arrival 13:00; Duration 3h 45m
Mangala Ldweep
Departure 10:15; Arrival 13:15; Duration 3h 0m
Kerala Express
Departure 10:25; Arrival 13:45; Duration 3h 20m
Utkal Express
Departure 10:52; Arrival 14:40; Duration 3h 48m
Samta Express
Departure 13:44; Arrival 16:45; Duration 3h 1m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
U Abhatoofan Express
Departure 14:20; Arrival 20:53; Duration 6h 33m
Vishakapatnam New Delhi Apexp
Departure 15:45; Arrival 19:05; Duration 3h 20m
Chattisgarh Express
Departure 16:30; Arrival 20:20; Duration 3h 50m
Jhelum Express
Departure 17:12; Arrival 21:56; Duration 4h 44m
Gatimaan Express
Departure 17:50; Arrival 19:30; Duration 1h 40m
Punjab Mail
Departure 17:55; Arrival 22:22; Duration 4h 27m
Andaman Express
Departure 18:33; Arrival0:44; Duration 6h 11m
Taj Express
Departure 18:55; Arrival 22:05; Duration 3h 10m
New Delhi Shatabdi Express
Departure 21:15; Arrival 23:30; Duration 2h 15m
Rajdhani Express
Departure 3:30; Arrival 5:55; Duration 2h 25m
Haridwar Lokmanyatilak Ac Shrungavarpukta
Departure 4:05; Arrival 6:55; Duration 2h 50m
Mumbai Special Jammu
Departure 4:05; Arrival 7:30; Duration3h 25m
Shirdi Sinagar Shrungavarpukta Kalka Express
Departure 4:05; Arrival 7:30; Duration 3h 25m
Jammu Durg Express
Departure 4:05; Arrival 7:15; Duration 3h 10m
Gondwana Express
Departure 4:18; Arrival 7:30; Duration 3h 12m
Jammu Durg Express Settigunta
Departure 5:36; Arrival 9:20; Duration 3h 44m
Ind Amritsar Express
Departure 6:23; Arrival 11:10; Duration 4h 47m
Ujjaini Express
Departure 7:08; Arrival 11:10; Duration 4h 2m
Lokmanyatilak Nizamuddin Ac Express
Departure7:57; Arrival 10:25; Duration 2h 28m
Nanded Amritsar Shrungavarpukta Express
Departure 9:15; Arrival 13:00; Duration 3h 45m
Kongu Express
Departure 11:24; Arrival 14:15; Duration 2h 51m
Vishakapatnam Amritsar Hirakud Express
Departure 11:29; Arrival 14:40; Duration 3h 11m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
Swarnajayanti Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
Tirukkural Express
Departure 15:15; Arrival 18:00; Duration 2h 45m
Gd Sushasan Express
Departure 15:30; Arrival 19:00; Duration3h 30m
Navyug Express
Departure 17:30; Arrival 0:44; Duration7h 14m
Dehradun Express
Departure 17:30; Arrival 20:40; Duration 3h 10m
Tirunelveli Jammu Express
Departure 17:30; Arrival 0:44; Duration 7h 14m
Jabalpur Svdk Express
Departure 18:33; Arrival 0:44; Duration 6h 11m
Jabalpur Atari Special
Departure 19:50; Arrival 0:20; Duration 4h 30m
Chandigarh Express
Departure 21:05; Arrival 0:55; Duration 3h 50m
Pondicherry New Delhi Express
Departure 23:00; Arrival 3:20; Duration 4h 20m
DAY 6
NEW DELHI
New Delhi is our final destination and we arrived at 17:10 in Hazrat Nizamuddin Train Station NZM in New Delhi.
We Took Bus No. 261 From Sarai Kale Khan Bus Stop and get off at Kashmere Gate Bus Stop.
Delhi Bus no. 427
1. HZM Nizamuddin Railway Station --> 2. Ashram --> 3. Sri Niwas Puri Depot --> 4. Nehru Place Terminal
We then walked to the nearby Nehru Place Metro Station and get on board the Violet Line, interchange to Yellow Line at Central Secretarial and Got off at at New Delhi Metro Station.
DELHI GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS
If you come to Delhi and looking for a decent restaurant to have a meal, I would recommend to you guys Karim's restaurant in Old Delhi. You guys have to try it yourselves. There are many Karim restaurant branches in New Delhi. But, if you want delightful dining experience then, go to the one near to Jama Masjid Mosque in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi. Yup, here you guys can enjoy the unique cuisine recipes handed down from the days of Shah Jahan Moghul Palace. When I go there I usually order naan bread of choice, with khorma lamb or goat. The spices and aromas will be out of the ordinary. It will be dining experience that can never be forgotten for those who first coming here.
Getting To Karim's Restaurant:
Delhi Metro Violet Line
1. ISBT / Kashmere Gate --> 2. Lal Qila --> 3. Jama Masjid
Walk from Metro Station to the restaurant.
The Second location.... The restaurant's name is Garam Masala located in Chanakyapuri ... This a fine-dining restaurant serving excellent food at prices that are easy on your wallet. You can bring you family here. All the dishes here are the best. You guys have to try the Mix Kebab and their Mutton Raan is the best!, marinated long hours then slow cook until the meat melts away from the bone.
Getting To Garam Masala Restaurant:
Delhi Bus no. 604
1. New Delhi Railway Station Gate 2 --> 2. Palika Kendra --> 3. Krishi Bhawan --> 4. Teen Murti --> 5. USSR Embassy (Russian Embassy)
https://www.dtcbusroutes.in/bus/route/321/new-delhi-railway-station-gate-2/to/chhatarpur-metro-station/
The Third location.... I would love to bring my friends from Kuala Lumpur to come here. Jammu Kashmir House, this place is not a classy restaurant ... but, what is so interesting? The taste of the dishes is very pleasing to my palate and in fact, many Malaysians are the regular customers. Malaysians in New Delhi are fond of coming here. ... Chicken curry and lamb curry are the signature cuisines that you guys must try. Try their curry chicken, lamb curry or lamb khorma that are delicious. Add extra green salad and more rice. I bet that you will have a second helping of the meal.
DAY 7
QUTUB MINAR
When you come here you should stop by and see the Islamic civilization that left behind a long time ago in India.
Qutub Minar is actually in Urdu that can be translated as the Tower. Was built with red sandstone and marble it is the second highest minaret in India after Burj Fateh or "Victory Tower" located in the village Chappar Chiri in Mohali Punjab region.
With a height of 73 meters (237.8 feet) it contains 379 stairs to reach the top and with a diameter of 14.3 meters, while the top floor measures 2.7 meters.
Construction of the Qutub Minar was started by Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak (the first Sultan of Delhi) in 1192 and is famous for being one of the earliest construction and the most prominent features of Mughal architecture. It is surrounded by ancient structures of several other structures (including the ones from the civilization era of Hindu and Jain).
Qutub Minar is also well known Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (built 1192-1316) the earliest mosque built by Sultan of Delhi. If up to Qutub Minar, it is actually a large complex. The Qutub Minar area acts as an important institution of Islamic religious activities a long time ago.
There is little doubt (for some historians) on the purpose why Minar tower was built. When referred to the local people, they said it served as the muezzin call to prayer to tell the time. However, the altitude is too high to be said not possible for people to hear the azan from top of the tower.
Qutub Minar height at 73 meters is the world's tallest minaret constructed out of rubble masonry. Inside the tower, a circular staircase with hundreds of steps leading to the top, whereby the muezzin needs to exert himself for climbing the stairs and then, he will be gasping for breath once he reaches the top, let alone to perform the call for prayer from this height.
In my opinion, after visualizing this complex I could say that Qutub Minar was built as a construction engineering technology & architecture to show that Islam was ahead of his time. In fact, the capability to raise the height of the tower in this manner to portray the great spiritual aspects of Islam to glorify the God.
Da'wah is to invite people, both Muslims and non-Muslims, to understand the worship of Allah as expressed in the Qur'an and the sunnah of the prophet Muhammad and to inform them about Islam.
In order to perform Da'wah you need to be seen and heard.
The Qutub Minar is visible object serving as a guide can be easily seen and recognized from a distance, especially one that enables someone to establish its location and inviting people to go there.
Today Qutub Minar is still receiving guests from among the ummah of Muhammad to perform prayers, particularly on Fridays and Eid holidays.
ASOKAN PILLAR OF DELHI
If there is an opportunity to come to Qutub Minar complex, you guys should not fail to notice the iron pole that stood in the public square of the Qutub Minar complex.
What is so interesting about this pole? The iron pillar is said to have stood on the site since AD 400. As I mentioned earlier Qutub Minar complex was built on the former site of the ancient Hindu and Jain civilization. It was said a long time ago, before the Delhi ruled by Islam Sultanate, this complex was the site of a shrine for followers of the Jain religion. And an iron pillar that was the central of the Jain temple building. Many researchers believe that history here, built the original temple was demolished by the Sultan of Delhi in his era. However, the iron pillar was not removed ... because of what I'm not sure. There are things puzzling researchers about the metal the iron pole was made ... they said metal or iron pole doesn’t really come from India. There's a bit of a myth around that the iron metal pole used for its construction does not even come from this earth. Perhaps this pole was guarded by mystical things, too amazing that the iron pillar does not rust despite stood there for over 1600 years.
Getting To Qutub Minar:
Once exit from Saket Metro Station wait at Sai-Ul-Azaib Bus Stop for Bus no. 34 and get off at the next bus stop and walk to Qutub Minar Complex.
Delhi Bus no. 34
1. Said-Ul-Azaib (Saket Metro Station) --> 2. Lado Sarai
Mas Flight MH191
DEL-KUL
Departure from New Delhi Indira Ghandi International Airport at 11:10 PM
The sound of the colorful trains going across the Indian subcontinent is still ringing in my ears, even after more than a month after returning home.
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Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra
When we travel abroad, the country that we are going to enter considers us as a foreigner. Some countries require us to prepare a visa, and some do not. It depends on the country you are going to. Before you go to a different country, first check that country's travel visa requirement.
A visa is a sticker commonly endorsed in the applicant's passport. Travel visa is a conditional authorization granted by a country to a foreigner to enter and temporarily remain within, or to leave that country. Visas typically include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, territory within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, or the number of permitted visits. Visas are associated with the request for permission to enter a country and thus are, in some countries, distinct from actual formal permission for a foreigner to enter and remain in the country. In each instance, a visa is subject to permission entry by an immigration official at the time of actual entry and can be revoked at any time.
All Malaysian citizens that wish to travel to India are required to prepare travel visa. Tourist Visa is granted to a Malaysian / Foreigner who does not have a residence or Occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. The Tourist Visa is non - extendable and non-convertible.
India Visa Centres In Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur.
IVS VMS Sdn. Bhd.
G-01, Ground Floor, Straits Trading Building,
No. 2, Lebuh Pasar Besar,
50050 Kuala Lumpur
Visa fee is by cash only and no online payment.
THE REQUIREMENTS:
APPLICATION WITH FALSE & INCORRECT INFORMATION WILL BE REJECTED
1) Application form is to be completed electronically ONLY in all respects. Applications with incomplete details are liable to be rejected.
2) Form to be signed at two places; below the photograph and last page by the applicant only
3) 2 recent colored photographs (2 inches X 2 inches) with white background ONLY
4) Passport valid for 6 months with minimum two blank pages
5) Address of referees in Malaysia and India to be furnished in detail
6) Confirmed flight tickets to and from India.
7) All visa applications must be supported with the passport photocopy
8) Journalists applying for Tourist Visa requires letter from employer. Visa to be applied as Journalist Tourism Visa
9) Application fee of RM189.56 including RM1.56 service fee (either single, double or multiple entry: validity from 1 month to a maximum of 6 months)
10) Takes 3 working days for submission at India Visa Centre, Kuala Lumpur
11) Each visit on Tourist Visa shall not exceed 45 days stay as indicated in the visa
12) Additional form (NON-RESIDENTIAL FORM) to be filled in for applicants born in China & Pakistan or descendant of Pakistan.
13) The applicant must be in person during submission for biometric registration. Children below 12 years old and adult above 70 years are exempted from biometric enrollment and their applications may be submitted by a representative.
For some people, India isn’t on their list for tourist destination, perhaps the last destination to visit. Everyone has the right to choose their travel destinations; after all it’s their money. Its part and parcel of tourist feels worth spending their time for vacation. If that is the case then, for those who aren’t interested about India, no benefit for you to keep on reading this blog, only a waste of your time. But for those who are interested, please continue reading, hopefully, what I wrote here can be of a guide to tourists who intend to go there for the first time.
Some people are interested to go to India since they feel the experience will be their life's adventure, but not everyone feels this way - it is a matter of personal preference. Even this blog is written differently as compared to the one written by a westerner. What I portrayed here, the good or the bad, was simply by having watched them, in my own perspective.
The best time to visit India is from November to March (20-30 Celsius) when the weather is quite cool, comfortable to walk, avoid the very hot months of May to August. I went the first time in June and the temperature reached over 47 degrees Celsius. July to September less suitable as the monsoon season begins, will be difficult to move anywhere when it floods.
If you are interested to travel by road to North India, around the Himalayas, for example to Leh in Ladakh or around Himachal Pradesh, Zanskar, Sikkim and Darjeeling, summer is very convenient, come to India in June to October and continued the trip up North, since these locations are situated in high altitude, at the outskirts of the Himalayas where the weather is a lot cooler as compared to New Delhi. The road from Manali to Leh is open around June onwards when the weather is warm and the snow melts, come earlier, heavy snow, can not pass through by land, better travel by air.
For readers’ info, India is the first destination outside the country that I spent with my own personal expenses, I seek adventure, many countries I have visited before were on business purpose and I do not have to worry about hotel, transportation, Visa. All my travels before were because of work and everything has already been prepared by the officials in charge. Since the Trip to India was on my own expense, therefore I have to do a lot of preparations.
The first thing I did was to get as much information related to travelling in India, either through blogs or even buying books related to India. I decided to buy Lonely Planet book titled Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra since this will be our destination in India that we intend to visit. If you have an ambition to travel all around India, I tell you that your travel will take lifelong journey, since India is vast.
I have to look for information about the travel, the hotels which are good to stay, where the railway station or the bus station nearest to the hotel, where to eat and the distance from the Hotel to the places I wanted to visit.
Before I go any further, the first thing we need to know, how to prepare Tourist Visa to visit India. VISA for those who are staying in Kuala Lumpur can go to INDIA VISA CENTRE located in Jalan Lebuh Pasar Besar, in front of Agrobank. The Visa fee is RM190 for Visa including service tax, visa processing usually complete within two days. Make the application today, God willing, tomorrow afternoon you can retrieve your passport back and has visa sticker in it, simple.
There is also the question, what is the need of VISA for you already have a Passport? A visa is a travel document issued by certain countries to which give the permission to enter their countries for a specific purpose and for a specified period. That is, before you go to a country which requires VISA, you have to make application and it is up to the discretion of that country officials on whether to allow you to enter their country or not, and should also know that is not necessarily the application will be approved. The requirements for obtaining a VISA to India is to include a copy of travel tickets, together with VISA form already completely filled-in by yourself.
There are also some countries that require "Invitation Letter" from the country you intend to enter, either a letter of invitation from relatives, a letter of invitation to attend certain meetings, or any agenda, so when you plan your travel, do some search. There are also countries that want to see your budget, if not having enough money or financial resources for the expenses while you're there, then VISA will not be given. For going to India, you don’t need "Invitation Letter", can take the form filled it in with your particulars and proceed to India Visa Centre, very simple procedure.
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| India Visa Centre |
It is important to search for information, especially for backpackers or groups without the help of Travel Agency. Just enjoy the services provided by the travel agency, pay their services and they manage everything, solves your headache. But for me this is not exciting.
The flight to New Delhi, India takes approximately five hours by MAS airlines, non-stop flight.
Since this is the first trip to India, avoid wasting your time looking for a taxi or shuttle to the hotel, so before I go I have to deal with the management staff of Vivek Hotel to pick us up from Airport. We will arrive at night time at about 10 PM.
DELHI METRO RAIL
The Delhi Metro is a rapid transit rail network that serves the urban and suburban districts of Delhi municipality. This subway system is the fastest transportation going through downtown and a good way to avoid frequent traffic jams.
Metro services run from about 06:00 hrs till 23:00 hrs.
IGI Airport Metro Station to Ramakrishana Asharm Marg Metro Station
Airport Express (Orange Line) get off at New Delhi for interchange to the Yellow Line. Get off Rajiv Chowk for interchange to the Blue Line. Get off at Ramakrishana Asharm Marg Metro Station.
http://www.delhimetrorail.com
For first timer coming to India, I suggest to inform hotel management for "PickUp" service to fetch you. Don’t waste time at the Airport, can also use Taxi service, pre-paid taxi for Rs. 250 or Rs. 350 to Pahar Ganj, the area our hotel is located. Some taxi will offer you to stay at the hotel and they will earn a commission if succeed to bring you to their hotels. Use the taxi service but tell them that you have already chosen a hotel and to take you directly to the hotel you have selected. Be careful on the taxi scam when take a taxi in India, even you showed the driver where you want to go, he will try to talk you into going to a different hotel. It’s a common trick,”Awtar keling” as we say it, and they get a kickback for every customer they bring to their hotel.
The cost of "PickUp" service is more expensive than the cost of taking a taxi at the airport because you had to pay the cost of transportation to and from their hotel to take you but it’s convenient. Once you leave the airport arrival hall, you will see your name appear written on white paper hold by a representative of the hotel.
The journey from the airport to Pahar Ganj takes about 45 minutes and depending on traffic conditions there. New Delhi is indeed crowded, do not be surprised. Don’t bother much about the traffic congestion, just hope your journey is smooth and safe. Do not be surprised to hear the surrounding sound of cars honking, this is normal and your ears will get use to hearing the hustle & bustle of traffic noise.
Pahar Ganj is the area we chose to stay; it was because it’s located near New Delhi Railway Station, from our hotel to the train station only takes about five minutes or slighly more to get there. Do not need to take public transport or Auto Rickshaw to get there. There are many budget hotels and travelers from all parts of the world choose to stay around this area. It’s common to see backpackers. Hotels charge round Rs. 800 and below. Backpacker hotels are abundant here. It’s quite safe at night, but I do not encourage you to go out its quite dark out there, it’s very different to the city center of Kuala Lumpur that we have streetlights right almost everywhere.
Actually this idea of travelling to India came rather spontaneously; just recently this idea pop up in our minds. Some friends suggested that we travel to Indonesia, Bali but not quite interesting because this destination is too common and a lot of people have been there. We want to do something different, we want travelling adventure. One of the reasons why people commonly go to Indonesia is because it’s the neighbouring country sharing similar language that made it easy to communicate; in addition the airfare price is affordable. If you want to travel elsewhere must be clear on how to communicate with the local people of that country, otherwise communicate in English, so we choose India as our destination, a country which is the former British colony.
Kuala Lumpur Sentral or KL Sentral to buy tickets, we chose MAS, Malaysia Airline System to New Delhi India because at that time Air Asia has not yet started direct flight to New Delhi, so we chose MAS because they fly direct to New Delhi from Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA.
Take the opportunity to travel to Agra where the Taj Mahal is located, a visit to India is not complete if you do not visit the Taj Mahal.
Flight fare with return ticket is RM1800. We could get cheaper fare if anyone of us, including myself didn’t hesitate to buy the tickets earlier, the delay has cost us paying the tickets price at a more expensive price, and it gets even more expensive as it gets nearer to the date of travel.
MAS provides flight services to India every day, I mean, every day there is a trip to India, so it is not difficult to make a reservation, we choose a suitable date for the travel. The flight departure is at 6:50 p.m flight MH190. It takes about 5 hours to get to New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport from KLIA.
MAS Flight MH190
KUL-DEL
Kuala Lumpur
Scheduled departure 6:50 PM Gate Terminal M C35
New Delhi
Scheduled arrival 9:50 PM Gate Terminal T3
Mas Flight MH191
DEL-KUL
New Delhi
Scheduled departure 11:10 PM Gate Terminal T3
Kuala Lumpur
Estimated Arrival 7:00 AM Terminal Gate M
Flight Fare RM1,800
We are going to Rajasthan as well as the Taj Mahal. I will share our train travel experience in India and understand how to buy train tickets in India, hopefully the things I have written here, the experience I am sharing will a little bit be of a guide for those who wish to go to India but do not know how to make the first step.
Among the preparation is to look for as much information as possible on the internet about Rajasthan, where the actual location, what is the distance from New Delhi to Rajasthan, the mode of transportation and the amount of time to reach there. Indeed, there is so much information you can find on the internet but the info is scattered that you need to spend much time searching and is no easy task to go from one website to another website, its very short time until it comes the day of your travel.
I decided to buy Lonely Planet book titled Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra, price RM95 from a bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. If we want to know about a destination it is better to buy books that could give us detailed information. I mean, it’s not smart to choose a travel guide book to India, where the book will tell the whole India in general. After all what we seek in detail should be about the exact location we intend to explore i.e. Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra in particular.
Lonely Planet book titled "Rajasthan, Delhi & Agra" it’s more focus on the location we want to go, rather than the book that would detailed out the whole places in INDIA, unless you intend to visit the whole of India.
Tickets for train travel in India can be purchased online, you can visit the websites INDIAN RAILWAY to make booking of train tickets but we did not book tickets online because we were afraid if then cancelled it would be a waste. So, we decided to take a risk to buy tickets later, when we arrived in New Delhi.
According to the website of Indian Railway, the ticket reservations can be made as early as 90 days before the trip. I recommend everyone who plans going to India at peak seasons, the time in which there is a festival in India, please make online reservation because there will be a crowd and it will not be easy to get train tickets in India. Thank God we were lucky we are able to buy last minute while in New Delhi. The month of June is quite hot in India and people don’t go around much, it may be among the reasons that we were still able get the train tickets.
We also need to get a visa to go to India, and the Indian Tourist Visa fee is RM190.00 including the service fees. For those who stay in Kuala Lumpur can get Indian Visa in office appointed by the Indian Embassy in Malaysia, office of this agency is located behind Sultan Abdul Samad building, next to the 7-Eleven shop. Visa can be ready in 2 days, today you sent for application, God willing, and it will be ready the next day.
Visa applications can also be delegated and need not come individually but the application form along with a copy of all airline tickets must complete. For more information can visit CENTRES INDIA INDIA VISA located at Jalan Lebuh Pasar Besar Kuala Lumpur. Don’t go to the Embassy of India in Malaysia because of the Embassy of India is no longer handle the preparation of visas. The procedure is quite simple, Passport and submit the completed form. No need to come for an interview, leave your Passport Visa Center in India and God willing, Passport can be taken the next day. India visa valid for up to 3 months from the date of issuance as indicated on the visa in the passport.
Never know if our Visa application is successful or not. Thank God, the passports are ready for collection on the next day; in fact we were quite nervous. Once the Passports are in our hands and able to see India Visa sticker in the passport, we all smile feeling relieved, many months have plan and finally we are very close to set foot in India, a country that is quite famous among Photographers worldwide especially those fond of the Adventure Photography.
We have one foot already in India’s doorstep; the Visa is like a ticket to get into India. We have taken care of Visa, the next in our plant is to find a suitable bag, and then it is best to use "backpack", a bag of ordinary we see used by foreign tourists going round everywhere in Kuala Lumpur.
The size of the backpack seems as if it’s large but once filled with clothes, not much space left, and besides we do not have to carry a lot of goods, except clothes and some snacks. We are not able to carry cooking utensils, as we are not camping in the woods. We travel in the city, and stay in hotels so our bags are fairly light because only filled with clothing. We did not bring along sleeping bags since sleeping bag will take considerable space.
Bring along small size laptop, lightweight and easy to carry everywhere, moreover, we need a computer to download pictures from the memory card. After discussing it with friends, we agreed, only one person carrying a laptop, after all, we do not have much time to go online, or surf the internet because always on the move.
For everyone’s info, two weeks before we go to India, I’ve made hotel room booking, the hotels we choose is Vivek Hotel located in Pahar Ganj, New Delhi. We choose this hotel one of the reasons because it is because of hotel rate, according to our budget. Making booking through online is very easy, no need to make a deposit, just enough to key in the date and time we will get there, and the type of room required and how many nights we intend to stay there.
We also chose to use "Pick Up Service", after reading the Lonely Planet guidebook, so we asked the hotel to provide services "Pick Up" as our airplane will arrive in New Delhi in the evening at 9:50 pm. Disembarking off the plane, go through immigration and other exit from the arrival hall the time is around 10.30pm. We do not want to waste time looking for a taxi there and do not want to waste time dealing with touts offering their services. Therefore "pick up" service is the right choice for us, especially to those who are first time here.
Among the reasons we choose Vivek Hotel is because the location is not far from New Delhi Railway Station, for us is very important to choose a hotel close to the train station because we travel a lot by train. So the location of the hotel is convenient, and according to Lonely Planet guide book we read, from Vivek Hotel or from Pahar Ganj area to the New Delhi Railway Station the distance is quite close, only to walk without requiring to use a taxi service or Auto Rickshaw, better known as "tuk-tuk".
We want to travel at the same time we also want to spend money wisely during the travel. Lonely Planet books provided much information, about the distance from one location to another location and the safety measures that need to be there to make any rental. As I wrote earlier, we did not make early reservation of railway tickets; we plan to buy train tickets when we arrive in New Delhi.
It’s a risk we had to take because of unfamiliar with booking Indian tickets online. Actually we also afraid of being cheated, the money already paid, the tickets can not get, so we prepared to take risk should we unable to get train tickets in New Delhi later, we may use an alternative route to the destination we intend to visit. I’ve been busy doing homework, online hotel booking, plan the routes and so on.
I’ve made Vivek Hotel online booking, they do not charge any fee for booking, based on Lonely Planet book and after viewing a Vivek Hotel website, we decide to stay in this hotel, the price is affordable, just round Rs. 600 to Rs. 800.
That was the only insight of Vivek hotel available to us at that time, we were fascinated by the picture on Vivek website. We made the hotel booking and we requested the hotel to provide "pick Up" services to pick us when we arrive there.
TRAVELLING DAY
Our flight from Kuala Lumpur was by Malaysia Airlines System. The plane takes off at 6:50 p.m local time in Kuala Lumpur and five hours journey to reach New Delhi.
The flight takes off in the evening. Outside the airplane window there is nothing to see along the way, most of time chatting with friends. The airplane was full, all the seats were occupied, and more interestingly, couldn’t find any other Malay people on the airplane except us, as well as the flight attendants onboard. The rest were the people of India, whether Malaysian Indian or the people originated from India. We assume that many Malaysian Indians travelling to India for vacation.
NEW DELHI
Finally we arrived in India after a five-hour flight, Alhamdulillah. Time difference between Malaysia and India is two and a half hour; they are two and a half hours later than us. Approximately 10:00 p.m local time in New Delhi we arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi, the facilities are not as nice as KLIA Airport. There aren’t that many exclusive shops as KLIA. The admission process was quite simple, there was no problem. A woman in her thirties stopped us for a moment, when we were about to leave the Airport. She asked me what was in our bags, I replied only the clothes and asked what our intention for coming here and where we were going.
Possible that she saw the bagpack we carried a bit strange because all bags we wrapped in plastic, we use the services of "Bag Wrap" at KLIA was to seal our bags, afraid that someone might insert or remove something from our bag, so we decided to wrap our bag with the plastic. Alhamdulillah after satisfied with our answer, then we already released with a smile, "Have a Nice Day" she said, perhaps one of the security officers on duty. A bit of nervous at the time, but that's a piece of experience that had confronted when people entering a different country. I told her that we're going to New Delhi and Agra but I never mention Rajasthan. It seems that Agra and the Taj Mahal are common destinations for tourist, and the answer was most convenient I could provide her, so as not to make matters complicated. The less info you tell the immigration official, the less time they hold you up.
Once out of the Airport main door, my eyes wildly searching for the staff of Vivek Hotel who should meet us. Outside the Airport there are many people who hold white A4 sized cards with the person's name appears as the name of the hotel, I look for the card that says my name. If they do not come then we need to take a taxi to the hotel.
We look around vigorously and thank God, at last I saw an Indian man holding a white card that says my name and the name of the hotel, so I waved at him, and then followed him out of the Airport to get to his car. Despite the time 11:00 p.m in New Delhi, feel very warm, like sitting by the campfire and there was a pungent smell that I could not stand it, as if poking straight into the nostrils. New Delhi air quality was terrible, we were lucky that Kuala Lumpur much cleaner.
Despite of my suspicions, I follow the man through the hall like a tunnel to get his car, in my mind wondering where this stranger would take me. I comfort myself by starting a friendly conversation with him, asking how far distance Airport to Hotel and how the weather in India. Less than five minute walking we arrive in an area where there are a lot of cars and drivers, around this area is quite dark.
I had booked a van to pick us up, but somehow the hotel thought the taxi or van provided should be enough for all of us, but the size of the van is a little small for us, when we enter the bagpacks with us and the driver, not enough space, we had to wait almost half an hour for another taxi. The comparison between the size of the van on the side was smaller than the size of the car.
The area where we stand waiting for the taxi was rather dark and hot. The journey from Airport to Vivek Hotel in Pahar Ganj takes approximately 45 minutes.
Once arrive at Vivek Hotel, the first thing we need to decide is how are we to get out of New Delhi the next day early morning, we do not want to be caught in New Delhi, the unbearable hot weather here in the afternoon in New Delhi, even hotter than the weather in Malaysia.
DAY 1
It’s the first morning, without having breakfast, we walk to New Delhi Railway Station, not far from Pahar Ganji where we stay, turn to the left and continue straight, even if we ran it will not take five minutes to get to the train station, normal walk will take around five minutes to fifteen minutes, we were busy taking pictures during our short journey to the train station. In our path, didn’t come across any Malay People besides ourselves.
NEW DELHI TRAIN STATION
To travel by train in India we could buy tickets from Malaysia using online, tickets usually available a month earlier, and this is a smart choice, afraid if run out of tickets. Other alternatives such as bus and car hire, but a trip to India is not complete if you don’t experience travelling by train. Hopefully we can check out from the hotel at 12 noon. Tonight we plan to leave New Delhi and travel to Jodhpur by train.
The vicinity of the hotel to the train station is also known as the Main Bazaar, it is something like Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur, except that Pahar Ganj Main Bazaar no roof along the street.
The seller activities are on roadside, all sorts of souvenirs, clothes, bags and saris are on sale. Should you not bring many clothes, do not worry, you can buy it here in the Pahar Ganj Main Bazaar.
Never know when again we can find a supermarket, so we could stock up on food and drink and we did the same whenever we can find one. I guess that’s how it should be done here.
Here is busy with Western Tourists walking back and forth more or less like us, carrying large backpacks and there are some carrying only small bags at the waist. This area doesn’t have five-star hotels.
As soon as we reached New Delhi Railway Station, we were a bit confused which direction to go, its crowded here, we keep looking until suddenly we were approached by a man asking us what we're looking for, I said, we try to find tourist ticketing counter. The man said that the office was closed and moved to another place, not far from the train station and he repeatedly urging us to follow him.
Thank God,lucky we made our search, in fact we were trying to look for International Travel Bureau, where there we can get train tickets on tourist quota, we do not need to rush as the rest of citizens of India for buying ticket, and do not easily trust people who say that the office was closed, burnt down, it has already been moved and all sorts of nonsense, they are all bluffs for them to make a profit. They will take us to their agents for tickets and they will get a commission, so we politely brush this man aside and continue to look around.
To purchase tickets at the New Delhi Railway Station is quite a challenge, but after a bit of search and the tips I got from Lonely Planet book. At New Delhi Railway Station we will be approached by a person that will offer to help us, ask us where we are going, he will try to persuade you to follow him to get the train tickets. He will get commission if successful to bring customers to buy tickets from him.
In Shanghai you have the Teahouse scam, but here in New Delhi you have the Train Tickets scam which is a bit different. In New Delhi Train Station there will be a man approaching you and ask where you are heading and once you ask for direction to the special ticketing counter for tourist, he will tell you that the counter has already been closed, is being upgraded or moved to other places and offers his help to bring you to another ticket office, do not believe them. They are all touts trying to sell you tickets.
The LP book mentioned about Tourist train ticket quota and there is a special counter for Tourist to buy a ticket, we do not have to queue up like other Indian citizens to purchase tickets.
Ticket counter for Tourist is located on the first floor of the main building of New Delhi Railway Station, go to level one and you will see signs for "International Tourist Bureau" go up the stairs. We can buy tickets for trips to the whole of India at the counter, for example, if we want to Jaipur, spent the entire day there and then the next day resume journey to Jodhpur or Udaipur, you can manage your all tickets at the counter here, one stop center.
In the train station building you can see people waiting for train ride, there are many people waiting for the train at the door of the building, there were people lying on the floor, sleeping on the floor and all sorts of people behaviours can be seen here. While we were at this station a young boy came past on his hands and knees, sweeping the floor then stopping at each row of seats begging for money. It’s so hard to see that sort of extreme poverty. It serves no justice to compare with the Train Stations we have back in our home country.
We found the office located on the first floor, Alhamdulillah. There are few foreigners here buying tickets, rather than to stand in a line, we join the queue while remained seated, meaning there are seats available, not require to take a number but need to queue while sitting on seats, when a person gets up to the counter, the next person move to his seat, so on until our turn to approach the counter. Behind the wall there is a large display counter which indicated the names of the railway and where the train is going, difficult to understand the names of the railway, a bit confusing for us since not familiar.
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| Aerial View |
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| New Delhi Railway Station |
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| International Tourist Bureau |
We need to fill out a form before the queue, information the location where we want to go and other train travel details. Their ticket counter doesn’t have glass panel separating the customer and seller, there is a long table, like old office such as the scenery out of P. Ramlee movies. When it was our turn, I approached the counter and give the person at the counter the form that we filled out earlier. A bit worried, wondering if the tickets are sold out, buying tickets the last minute, buying the tickets in the morning and expect to travel tonight, the very same day. It might happen that they will run out of tickets. If that’s the case then we had to find another way to continue our journey, possibly by bus.
BIKANER HOUSE BUS STATION
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| Take Bus No. 166 From Khan Market to Bikaner House |
Bikaner House Bus Stand, at Pandara Road, India Gate (Central Delhi) provides hourly air-conditioned Volvo buses to cities of Rajasthan (State famous for royal fortified desert-towns) - Jaipur (State-Capital), Udaipur (Lake City), Jodhpur etc. Bus Stand is not crowded, well-maintained and ideal for travelling.
Bus service operated by the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) starting from Delhi and going all the way Jodhpur.
The bus leaves from Delhi at 8 pm sharp You can board this bus from Bikaner House on Pandora Road.
Names of busses such as Shrinath Nandu Travels, Vishkarma Nirman Travels, Vikas Travels: Departure Time 8 p.m. and reach Jodhpur the next morning at 8 a.m.
If you are planning going from New Delhi to Jaipur, you can find buses from Dhaula Kuan Bus Station or go to Bikaner House Bus Station. Will be able to get a bus on 15 min regular interval. Journey by bus will take around 6-7 hours to reach Jaipur.
If you plan to travel from Delhi to Jaipur, bus journey takes about 6 hours. Rajasthan State Road Transport Cooperation (RSRTC) runs Volvo busses. You can board the bus from Bikaner House Bus Station in Delhi at 23:59 p.m. will reach Jaipur Sindhi Camp Bus Station at around 6 a.m. in the morning.
SARAI KALE KHAN BUS STAND
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| Take Bus No. 261 From Indraprastha to Sarai Kale Khan |
New Delhi to Agra takes approx. 4½ hours journey by Bus. One can go by bus from Sarai Kale Khan Bus Stand that is near Nizamuddin Railway Station. Buses are available throughout the day normal frequency every thirty minutes . The bus fare to Agra, Rs.120 approx.
TRAIN TICKETS USING FTQ
The Foreign Tourist Quota (FTQ) is a small set of seats on certain trains kept aside for foreigners travelling in India on a tourist visa. Seeing that the bulk of foreign tourists visiting India have no idea how early train tickets can sell out, this quota can be a godsend.
Thank God, we are lucky since there are still tickets available; we bought tickets from New Delhi to Jodhpur, next Jodhpur to Jaipur and next Jaiput to Agra and also Agra to New Delhi. In fact here we can buy tickets for the trip, that can buy round trip tickets but we decided to just buy tickets to Jaipur only and we plan to buy a ticket at the train station in Jaipur to continue the next trip. Rather than that we do not want to be too bound by time. If we buy a ticket all together, then we will be bound by a limited time, so this decision gives us some freedom, if we want to stay a little longer in Jaipur we can make decisions there and we are happy to get a ticket to Jodhpur or better known as the "Blue City".
For your information, even if we buy tickets here in New Delhi Train Station, we still need to go to Old Delhi Railway Station to board the train to Jodhpur. Old Delhi Railway Station is about 30 minutes drive from New Delhi railway station, the train will depart this evening at 9:15 PM train Mandore Night Express.
http://indiarailinfo.com/search/old-delhi-dli-to-jodhpur-ju/349/0/126
Ranikhet Express
Departure 4:40; Arrival 17:35; Duration 12h 55m
Salasar Shrungavarpukta Fast
Departure 7:05; Arrival 19:15; Duration 12h 10m
Delhi Jaisalmer Express
Departure 17:35; Arrival 5:31; Duration 11h 56m
Mandor Express
Departure 21:15; Arrival 7:50; Duration 10h 35m
Rajsthn S Kranti
Departure 22:25; Arrival 8:30; Duration 10h 5m
For readers information, tickets for all train travel can be purchased at this station, not necessarily mean that to start your journey from this station, for example, I bought tickets to Jodhpur in Rajasthan, I am still able to catch a train from other railway station, which is located in Old Delhi, approximately 20 to 30 minutes from the New Delhi railway station. Before you leave the ticket counter, ask the person at the counter or check your tickets to make sure which station the train will depart from, so as not to cause problems later on.
Get off at Chandni Chowk Metro Station. Then walk to Old Delhi Railway Station.
OLD DELHI TRAIN STATION
At the train station there are eateries outside the building and there was also a McDonald's in the station. If you want to take pictures outside the station many human interest can be found around the building and those waiting for train. Foodstalls outside of this building having menus that serve various types of food and I can say it’s fairly clean, but busy with people. Rather dark in the building and there is a feeling of discomfort, many people sleeping in the building. The situation like this we can’t see in KL Sentral railway station in Kuala Lumpur.
The train classes
First Class (Air conditioned) (AC1 or First AC)
This has an old school train travel charm, a coupe with 4 beds with a lockable door and all necessary bedding. The berths convert to seats for daytime use.
AC 2 Tier (2 AC)
Not too different from AC 1, the AC 2 tier does not have a lockable door and the additional space for luggage.
AC 3 Tier (3 AC)
The AC 3 tier is the cheapest of the AC options, and the only discomfort is that 3x2 seating, instead of a 2x2 seating. It has three tiers of bunks - upper, middle and lower on one side and two (upper and lower) along the the other side of the aisle.
Sleeper
This is non Air condition and available in 3 tier seating format of 3x2, a replica of the AC 3 tier.
AC Chair Car (CC)
Normally shorter journey trains and certain frequently travelled business sectors have AC chair cars.
Non AC Chair Car (SS)
The Non AC chair car is a little more cramped than the AC one and does not have power connections either. These are recommended for more daily travelers and tourists often do not choose this class.
Unreserved
Now this is an experience only for the seasoned backpacker, who can handle crowds, pushing shoving and enjoy being one of the masses.
DELHI TO JODHPUR (620 KMS, 10 HOURS 30 MINUTES)
Our trip to Jodhpur, Rajasthan or better known as the "Blue City" took 10.5 hours, and during this journey, the train will stop at various stations to pick up and drop off passengers. We chose the air-conditioned coach, the Tier 2 coach.
A Sleeper Class carriage consists of 9 open sections; each section has 2 shorter side berths, side upper and side lower, and 6 longer inside berths (upper, middle and lower in 2 rows facing each other).
The carriage changes for daytime travel, the padded mattress of the lower side berth lifts to reveal 2 long seats and the 2-part mattress transform into 2 comfortable back rests, these seats face each other and are single window seats, perfect for a couple travelling together, the side upper berth remains fixed in place.
The inside 6 berths also become 6 seats, each lower berth becomes a seat for 3 people, the middle berth drops down to become a backrest, the upper berth remains fixed in place, so you have 2 x 3-person seats that face each other..
As we travel at night, unable to see outside the window because it’s quite dark. Only early the next morning, we wake up could see many interesting sights along the way to Jodhpur.
For readers’ info, tourists that are keen to see India’s spectacular landscape will usually take "Golden Triangle" route that is the route New Delhi - Jaipur - Agra and back to Delhi but we went a bit further than that, the route to Jodhpur, through Jaipur better known by the name "Pink City" because of the many pink buildings here. For those who are short on time and want to experience Experience can select routes in the Golden Triangle, the Delhi - Jaipur and Agra, shorter route compared to Jodhpur.
DAY 2
JODHPUR
The train ride was quite long. The train journey takes 10.5 hours, and finally we arrived here at 7.50 a.m.
Jodhpur is not difficult to find a budget hotel. We get out from Jodhpur railway station, across the street we can see a lot of backpackers hotels. I suggest that you stay in a hotel near the train station for easy access, and besides, in front of the train station there are many “Auto Rickshaw” or what we call "Tuk-Tuk", ready to offer their service to go everywhere you wish.
Here we stayed in Govind Hotel located near Jodhpur Railway Station. It’s easy to walk from the station to the hotel.
Govind Hotel is located opposite Main Jodhpur Post Office, we chose this hotel based on the recommendation by Lonely Planet book. If you want to find it on your own, many budget hotels along this street. The cost is not expensive, Rs. 800 and below, get a better room if you want to stay longer. I chose the room with only ventilation fan, quite cheap. Room with airconditioning system is a bit expensive and for backpackers, comfort is not the main thing but it’ll be just great to be able to experience everyday’s life of the people living in this area.
Jodhpur is also known as the "Blue City" because in one of the areas in Jodhpur not far from Mehrangarh Fort, you can find wherever else in the city the buildings are painted blue.
For those interested in taking human interest photos in Blue City, is advisable to stay longer here. One night is not enough, stay at least 2 nights or more, hence you could explore every corner of the streets and hallways in the Blue City. We stayed only one night here and did not manage to take photo of Blue City’s life portraits, we got this opportunity only once along the way to the Mehrangarh Fort.
Those who are interested to experience the "Desert Safari" can deal with the hotel, most of them provide this service and usually travel with a camel in Thar Desert takes 2 to 3 days often start in Jaisalmer. We did not experience this, maybe in the future, God willing.
Speaking about food, maybe you can try "Biryani by Weight", why did I called it Biryani by weigh? The seller uses traditional bronze weighing balance scale to weigh your biryani that you pay according to the weight of Biryani you had taken. The seller using that type of traditional scales used to weigh the food. It’s a small food stall, located in front of our hotel we stayed, across the street, a row of shops selling all kinds of textile fabrics. The food stall is located in front of the hotel. At the food stall the seller weighs a portion of rice biryani. You pay for your food by weight on your plate. That's the weight of the food, not your weight, if your weight they might as well eat you up. You can try "Biryani by Weight”, if interested.
Since this trip is our first to India, we do not intend to stay long here since we are eager to see what’s next, so we stay in Jodhpur for just one night.
DAY 3
This morning we will continue our train journey to Jaipur better known as the "Pink City" because of the many pink buildings here. Tickets to Jaipur we have already bought in New Delhi. We walked from the hotel to Jodhpur train station, less than 300 meters from the hotel.
Barmer Guwahati Express
Departure 1:55; Arrival 9:00; Duration 7h 5m
Intercity Express
Departure 6:10; Arrival 11:12; Duration 5h 2m
Ranikhet Express
Departure 6:35; Arrival 14:43; Duration 8h 8m
Jodhpur Bhopal Pass
Departure 8:05; Arrival 18:00; Duration 9h 55m
Marudhar Expres
Departure 9:30; Arrival 15:53; Duration 6h 23m
Settigunta Jaipur Jodhpur Express
Departure 16:30; Arrival 21:15; Duration 4h 45m
Mandor Express
Departure 19:50; Arrival 0:50; Duration 5h 0m
Jodhpur Kolkata Supfast
Departure 20:30; Arrival 1:50; Duration 5h 20m
Malani Express
Departure 21:12; Arrival 5:08; Duration 7h 56m
Delhi Jaisalmer Express
Departure 23:15; Arrival 5:08; Duration 5h 53m
Floors Bilaspur Express
Departure 1:35; Arrival 7:52; Duration 6h 17m
Marudhar Expres
Departure 9:30; Arrival 15:53; Duration 6h 23m
Floors Vishakapatnam Express
Departure 14:00; Arrival 20:31; Duration 6h 31m
Floors Mq Express
Departure 15:30; Arrival 21:47; Duration 6h 17m
Rjsthn S device
Departure 19:00; Arrival 0:15; Duration 5h 15m
Our train departed from Jodhpur Train Station at 9: 30 am, we still have plenty of daylight for photo taking. The scenery was so amazing, but the fact, I am not able describe it with words. I wish I could tell you how beautiful it was during our 6.5 hour train journey from Jodhpur to Jaipur. We spent most of our time taking pictures along the way. I have a sudden urge to do the Chaiyya Chaiyya dance on train roof top such as Hindi movie "Dil Se..", one most famous songs ever performed by Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora, wondering where I can find a partner to dance with me at that time.
Everything fascinates us along the way, we can see sheepherds along the way, there was a time that we feel as if we are watching live National Geographic performance in front of our eyes, the land along the way was dry, sometimes it looks like a desert and most of the times it was barren soil along the way. The locals did not give much attention to the scenery outside, but to all of us, this was something new, we do not want to miss a thing, I did not sleep during the journey so busy capturing what life has to offer along the way, this was the only way we can share pieces of our journey with friends.
On the train, whenever a train stopped at the station, hawkers selling food would make their way up and down the outside of the train serving passengers through the windows. Some hawkers would go onto the train and sell food to those who couldn’t be reached from outside.
JAIPUR
Jaipur: Does It Come in Pink?
We reached Jaipur Railway Station at about 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon, the temperature still hot, I mean really, really hot, during our long train journey. We have to decide where we want to stay. But it makes much sense that we choose a hotel nearest to the railway station. We plan to stay at Hotel Swagatam managed by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) that night. The hotel location just outside the railway station, about a five minutes walk to the left of the railway station main entrance. We arrived at the hotel reception and made hotel reservation for 2 nights.
After leaving our things at the hotel room, we had our meal at the hotel’s restaurant before making decision on our next move. We decided to join RTDC Pink City Night Tour which starts at 6:30 p.m from Jaipur Railway Station. The tour cost us Rs. 200 per person including dinner at Nahargarh Fort. We made our Night Tour booking at the hotel itself, Swagatam Hotel where we stayed.
Jaipur is the capital city of the state of Rajasthan. Regional Rajasthan desert area is the most extensive in India. Desert areas are located in Rajasthan and Gujarat region which is in the west. This city was named after Maharaja Jai Singh, once the ruler of this region. The city is known as the pink city, but in my view is not pink colour, but red bricks. Some may call the color pink terracotta or red sand. The entire building was painted uniformly by local authorities, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, when receiving the visit of Prince Albert of the British Empire, when India was still a British colony territory. So the Prince got a good impression about the city and its ruler, of course. The pink color is considered has the meaning of welcome and hospitality. Since after, the ruling request that every building shall remained painted with the same color. Iconic old city buildings as well as Hawa Mahal in the city are the main attractions.
DAY 4
Today we are going around Jaipur.
Albert Hall is now a museum. The first brick laying was in conjunction with the visit by Prince Albert. When beginning the construction of this building has not yet determined what it was going to be, then decided later on became a museum by the local government.
There were so many pigeons around and above the roof of Albert Hall
Powerful emperor in Jaipur lived in the palace, about 50 meters from Hawa Mahal. Some parts of the palace are now converted into museum collections. Entrance ticket for foreigner is Rs.300.
Many of the Emperor's palaces became museums or luxury hotels, as a source of income for those who have large wealth to support their lifestyle being the descendant of the Emperor. What is interesting here is so much collection of weapons since the reign of the Emperor of the Mughals to the British colonial period. There are a collection of jewelry and emperor clothing and his family. They are well preserved. This is because the first Maharaja of Jaipur decided to avoid confrontation with the dominant power in the Mughal and British. This is a city that has never been plundered and never faces destruction. It’s prohibited to take pictures inside the palace.
CHANDRA MAHAL MAIN BUILDING
Building used as a sort of hall by the Emperor to listen to the opinions of his aides.
Mubarak Mahal, a building with the typical architecture of Rajasthan. A location the Emperor greeted his guests. Now a museum where a collection of ancient Emperor Regalia clothing, I look at its measurement and fashion similar to those in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. The fashion seems to be the trend at the time. One of the relics on exhibit is a bronze pot, made of 14000 pieces of bronze with a capacity of 4000 liters.
AMBER FORT
Amer or better known as Amber Fort is located on a hill about 2 km outside the city was the capital of this region, before being transferred to Jaipur. Castle built on a hill at the same time it serves as a fortress. The Amber Fort is the main attraction of foreign and domestic tourists in the city. The size is very large and looks magnificent as it is on a hill with a small lake at the bottom.
This Fort resembles the Great Wall in China, the hills around the Amber Fort.
The size and architecture Amber Fort seems as majestic as the castles in Europe. The building surrounding the fort is connected like the Great Wall in China. To get here, get on bus no.5 from Jaipur city center. Amber Fort admission is Rs.300 for foreigners.
That night in Amber Fort in Jaipur was held a historical performance event by Amitabh Bachan, the famous Bollywood actor. It was accompanied by lighting effects at Amber Fort to dramatize the story. The fee was Rs.100 for this show. I was just interested in taking photo the effects of light in the Amber Fort that evening, so I waited across the street with a camera ready. Having managed to take some pictures, the officials approached me to inform that I was not allowed to take pictures because there was a show. I argued that I was not taking video, besides, from this distance I wasn’t able to hear the sound of the show, but the officials still insist it, therefore I left.
Jal Mahal or Water Palace is located on the right side on the road to Amber Fort. I stop by here on returning from Amber. The water is calm and sky clear, we will be able to see the reflection of the palace in the water. So I deliberately waited until sunset to Jal Mahal to see reflection in the water.
Man Sagar Lake surrounding the castle is a reservoir of water for the people of this region. Formerly it had been a water crisis that affects the hunger crisis to make the local authorities to expand the size of the lake and a dam nearby. The lake water itself collects annual rain water each month from June to October. The castle in the middle of the lake was once used by the royal family for sightseeing. The castle is said to only have a large room and roof garden. The castle has five floors with four floors submerged under water.
Along the roadside park many locals gather around, spend an afternoon while enjoying a view of Jal Mahal.
Hawa Mahal is located in the middle of the market in the old city. The building was intended for women of the royal family. A five-story building with lots of colorful little windows, the women of the royal family could look at the market life outside the palace without having to leave the palace. The windows are also to let the air to ventilate during the hot summer months. Its architecture is said to replicate the crown worn by Khrishna, one of the gods in Hindu puja. There are also those who say it was modelled after a honeycomb.
Get on Metro at Railway Station Metro station and get off at Chandpole Metrostation. Walk to the nearby bus stop. Get on bus no. 9A and get off at Hawa Mahal.
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| Jaipur Metro Rail |
Getting around: Start from Albert Hall, then walk through the streets of the old town and Hawa Mahal. Probably about 15 minutes on foot. Hawa Mahal about 50 meters enterance of the City Palace. Wait at the busstop at roundabout near Hawa Mahal and take the bus no.5, no.21 or no.1, all heading towards Amber Fort and also the Jal Mahal. The buses are large and comfortable. I recommend you take bus no.5 because not too crowded with passengers. Only pay Rs.15 each way. Pay the exact amount, because the conductor likes to forget to return your change, so you must request.
City bus no. 5 connects directly Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, New Gate and the intersection of MI Road and Railway Rd every 10 minutes until 9 PM. Bus fare is Rs. 15.
PARAMPARA RESTAURANT
This is a Muslim restaurant. Jaipur Parampara Restaurant is located opposite Brahmpuri Police Station along Amer Road on the way to Amber Fort.
I had Garlic Naan and Chicken Tandoori at Parampara Restaurant. So, what's the verdict?
Delicious! The best tandoori I think I've ever eaten. I finished off the chicken and everything. Or would that be because perhaps I was really hungry?
Frankly it was good. Restaurant Manager was OK. Many times he came to my table and later on we even continue chatting outside the restaurant.
Overall, food in India is not difficult to find Halal restaurants, just have to be careful and choose clean restaurants. Thank God, I did not get stomach ache.
Getting To Parampara Restaurant:
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| Get on Bus No. 5 and get off at Ramgarh Mod Bus Stop |
Jaipur City Bus no. 5
1. Badi Chaupad --> 2. Ramgarh Mod
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| Parampara Restaurant located near Ramgarh Mod Bus Stop |
M.M. KHAN RESTAURANT
We had Biryani halal restaurant at Jaipur's famous Ramganj Bazar Road. M.M. Khan Restaurant is located in a Muslim majority area that serves a variety of biryani in their menu. As usual choose to eat lamb biryani rice. It’s delicious and relatively cheap.
SINDHI CAMP BUS TERMINAL
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| Sindhi Camp Bus Terminal Walking Distance From Metro Station |
Sindhi Camp is the inter-state bus terminal of Jaipur. It is located along Station Road in Jaipur. It is Central Bus Stand for Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC). Buses are available for Delhi, Agra and other locations.
RSRTC bus departs from Sindhi camp bus station in Jaipur and it arrives in Agra at Idgah bus Station.
JAIPUR NIGHT TOUR
The night was great with few quick stops at some of the beautiful sight around Jaipur but there was nothing much we can shoot photo at sun down, so we just enjoy the scene. They provided us with small jeep to take us around. Apart from our group, there was a couple from Kerala, I think they just got married, and another was a young lady from Canada, actually she has been working in India for already a few months.
The tour took almost four hours including dinner at beautiful Nahargarh Fort which located high overlooking the city from a sheer ridge to the north. The view of the city of Jaipur at night from the fort was amazing and not to be forgotten, our dinner was mouth watering. We really enjoy the food here. Another thing, the road leading to the fort was quite scenic itself.
After a couple of days of exploring Jaipur, the time has come to catch the train to Agra and the Taj Mahal.
Jodhpur Kolkata Supfast
02:10 05:55 3h 45m
Agra Super Fast
04:15 08:20 4h 5m
Udaipur Burj Express
06:15 10:55 4h 40m
Af Jaipur Shatabdi
07:05 10:35 3h 30m
Bikaner Guwahati Express
09:10 13:05 3h 55m
Barmer Guwahati Express
09:10 13:05 3h 55m
Ananya Express
09:15 15:30 6h 15m
Ajmer Sealdah Express
14:55 18:50 3h 55m
Allahabad Jaipur Express
15:20 21:40 6h 20m
Marudhar Expres
15:45 20:05 4h 20m
Af Ajmer Intercity
17:10 21:40 4h 30m
Ziyarat Express
02:35 08:45 6h 10m
Bikaner Express NOAA Shrungavarpukta
11:45 15:15 3h 30m
Marudhar Expres
15:45 20:05 4h 20m
Ranchi Garib Nawaz
21:40 03:15 5h 35m
DAY 5
We arrived at Jaipur train station early morning at 6.30 am with plenty of time to kill before our train departure time at 7.00 am. Agra is at the end of the line and our train was the first to leave for the day so it was waiting time there for us. We boarded, found our seats, put our bags in the overhead racks and settled in for the long trip to Agra.
The road trip to Agra as it was scheduled to take 4 hours. But what an adventure it was. After an hour or so, I encountered sheep for as far as the eye could see on the road. As the monsoon rains had not been so good for the year, the shepherds were moving their flocks to keep them fed. First came the lambs, then the sheep. Following on were camels laden with baskets, holding the lambs that had been born enroute and finally more camels with women and children onboard. This went on for around a few minutes.
AGRA
We finally arrived in Agra at 10.40 a.m. An Indian man helped us with a smile, offered us friendly advice and helped us get our gears off the train. He asked for nothing in return so we gave him a decent tip. There’s a lesson to be learned by other Indians from the way this man treated us without any expectations for rewards.
We got off at Agra Cantt Railway Station and made our way straight out into the heaving throng of tuk tuk and taxi drivers yelling at anyone who came within earshot. We were ushered to the pre-paid taxi stand and we organised a ride to our hotel. It cost Rs.250, for a non-air conditioned taxi (it was Rs.300 if you wanted air-conditioning). TIP: If you’re asked whether you want AC or not, say no because once you’re in the taxi the cab driver puts the AC on anyway. They don’t want to drive around in sweltering heat any more than you do. If they don’t you can always wind down the windows.
Agra Cantonment Railway Station to Taj Mahal distance just around six to seven kilometers. It should take between fifteen to twenty minutes to reach Taj Ganj from the railway station.
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| Take A Taxi To Taj Ganj |
Most people who travel to Agra wanted to see the magnificent Taj Mahal. It is located in Taj Ganj area. There are plenty of budget hotels here, you do not need a hostel, a hotel is cheaper here and the best thing is, you do not have to take Auto Rickshaw or taxi to visit the Taj Mahal, it is just within a walking distance.
Stay around the Taj Ganj area, the best thing that you can do is, to look for a hotel that has the best view of the Taj Mahal from its rooftop restaurant. Most of the hotels situated here have rooftop balcony, some have better view than others.
The other hotel that has great view of the Taj Mahal from its rooftop restaurant is Hotel Kamal. Actually there are plenty of budget hotels at Taj Ganj to choose from, even though this two hotels may not be the best in Taj Ganj, but they are among the best that offer great view of the Taj Mahal from its rooftop and it took less than five minutes walk from the hotel to the front Gate of the Taj Mahal South.
The location of the hotel is quite important since we want to have easy access to the place that we want to take photo and don’t have to rush to get to the place and can stay as long as you want, without worrying on how to get back to hotel.
The following morning we're up and on the way to the Taj Mahal! I can't believe it! Agra is a strange place for tourism. The streets surrounding the three main gates are winding and tightly packed.
If you come to Agra and not visiting Taj then it will be a waste. So let’s go there, and guess what, at the ticket counter it was too crowded and I stood in the queue for around half an hour, and I finally got the chance to enter inside. And once I entered I just forgot all the pain and trouble I had, because the beauty of Taj was really amazing it was shinning bright like a diamond. What ever I heard about Taj was really true, I have seen thousands of pictures of Taj, but when I look it with my own eyes, I was like "This is one of the most beautiful things I ever saw".
Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and to see it with my own eyes, as previously can only be seen in pictures or through television and tourism magazines. I was there for around 2-3 hrs approx and whole time I was just looking at the beauty standing at front of me shinning bright on the sand of time.
Taj Mahal appear through the humid fog off in the distance. I can't believe I'm actually standing here, looking at this magnificent building, gleaming white, even at night.
There are people everywhere, mostly Indian tourists again, but about 20% are foreign tourists. The outer gate, with its red sandstone and white marble inlays is very beautiful. Upon walking through the small archway the full view of the Taj Mahal is breathtaking. Such symmetrial architecture on a grand scale perfectly framed by the gate door is spectacular. You can literally look through the window at the back of the Taj Mahal, look down almost a kilometer away through the main gate, out to the courtyard and through the gate we came in and into the twisted city market area.
We join the crowd of people on the small landing just inside the gate to get our photo opportunity. Once there's a small opening we wedge our way in and take a few photos of each other. Luckily, unlike other places in India where people have no respect for others trying to take photos, people here make a gap so you can take photo.
The central aisle has been closed to tourists, so all of our photos turn out just perfect. The walk up the long water channel is stunning. On the marble pedestal that the main mausoleum sits on everyone is either barefoot or wearing shoes covers walk up the stairs to the tall entrance door. The windows into the main tomb are very intricately carved marble screens and cast beautiful shadows on the interior.
On either side of the Taj are beautiful red standstone buildings. On the West is the Mosque and there are so many colours from the inlaid stone carving that it takes a long time just to take it all in. Intricately carved flowers and verses from the Quran cover the facade of the Taj. The inlaid stones came from all over the middle east and asia. Not only did the flowers and vines have to be carved out of the marble, but exactly matching pieces of stone had to be carved and inserted in the voids in the marble, and each is perfectly flush with the marble and still in place after hundreds of years.
THE RED FORT
After we've got our Rs. 750 worth of Taj Mahal tour (about 3 hours of sitting and watching) I left the place and went to visit Red fort of Agra. There is only one main road leading away from the Taj, off to the side and on the way to the Red Fort, about 2km away. Otherwise, the city is very congested and there are a lot tourist shops just outside the gate.
It’s a very large fort just upstream of the Taj Mahal (they're both located on the banks of a very large river). It’s a typical Indian fort, with intricate palaces on the interior and a vast network of buildings and hallways. Parts of the fort are still used by the Indian Army, a testament to the lasting durability of the fort.
All the places I visited were almost same in color as well as in design and architecture as they all are related to Mugal Era. Red fort is another huge palace from where the Kings use to rule the whole city.
I was really tired after visiting the whole fort, as it was huge and I started feeling hot as sun was shining bright.
FATHEPUR SIKHRI
I hired one autorickshaw and started toward Fathepur - Sikhri, one of the best places to see in Agra. The best thing I was enjoying was the fog, the new place, new people, everything. So I reached Fathepur sikhri around 9.00am in the morning, and I could still see the fog covering the main entrance. But the place was really awesome, beautiful architecture and design on the walls. Like other architectural buildings in India this is also related with lots of stories and legends related to The Great Akbar. The Dargha, mosque every thing was beautiful.
When I came out, I came to know that there is a Jodha Bai's Palace aka Mariam uz-Zamani just near by. So I went there also, this place is famous cause first wife of Akbar use to come to this palace and spend lots of time. And I was really astonished to see the palace, as this was the first time visiting such palace, the beauty was undescribable. And it was also well maintained by govt of India. As I visited both place in morning and it was too foggy, there were not many tourists.
Our journey ends in Agra. We have to go back to New Delhi today at noon, to catch the return flight tomorrow.
IDGAH BUS STATION
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| Idgah Bus Station located near Railway Station |
Most long-distance buses for Inter State Bus Service leave from Idgah Bus Stand.
Services from Idgah Bus Stand include frequent bus trips to Delhi (Rs117, 4½ hours) and other locations.
AGRA – NEW DELHI (194KM, 3 HOURS 45 MINUTES)
TRAIN SCHEDULES
Amritsar Expres
Departure 0:16; Arrival 5:26; Duration 5h 10m
Daksha Link Express
Departure 0:50; Arrival 4:05; Duration 3h 15m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 0:50; Arrival 4:05; Duration 3h 15m
Malwa Express
Departure 1:25; Arrival 5:00; Duration 3h 35m
Patalkot Express
Departure 1:55; Arrival 6:15; Duration 4h 20m
Jabalpur Express Nizamuddin Shrungavarpukta
Departure 2:09; Arrival 5:15; Duration 3h 6m
U P Smprk device
Departure 2:25; Arrival 5:25; Duration 3h 0m
Grand Trunk Express
Departure 2:50; Arrival 7:10; Duration 4h 20m
Nizamuddin Link Express
Departure 3:05; Arrival 6:20; Duration 3h 15m
gohad Express
Departure 3:05; Arrival 6:20; Duration 3h 15m
Rajdhani Express
Departure 3:30; Arrival 5:55; Duration 2h 25m
Tamil Nadu Express
Departure 3:53; Arrival 7:05; Duration 3h 12m
Gondwana Express
Departure 4:18; Arrival 7:20; Duration 3h 2m
Bhopal Express
Departure 4:50; Arrival 8:00; Duration 3h 10m
Telangana Express
Departure 5:23; Arrival 9:05; Duration 3h 42m
Intercity Express
Departure 6:00; Arrival 10:20; Duration 4h 20m
Karnataka Express
Departure 6:45; Arrival 10:30; Duration 3h 45m
Ind Dehradun Express
Departure 7:08; Arrival 11:10; Duration 4h 2m
Jabalpur New Delhi Shrungavarpukta Express;
Departure 7:35; Arrival 11:50; Duration 4h 15m
Rajdhani Express
Departure 7:57; Arrival 10:25; Duration 2h 28m
Mahakaushal Express
Departure 8:18; Arrival 11:40; Duration 3h 22m
Sachkhand Express
Departure 8:40; Arrival 12:10; Duration 3h 30m
Shri Ganganagar Nanded Expres
Departure 9:15; Arrival 13:00; Duration 3h 45m
Mangala Ldweep
Departure 10:15; Arrival 13:15; Duration 3h 0m
Kerala Express
Departure 10:25; Arrival 13:45; Duration 3h 20m
Utkal Express
Departure 10:52; Arrival 14:40; Duration 3h 48m
Samta Express
Departure 13:44; Arrival 16:45; Duration 3h 1m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
U Abhatoofan Express
Departure 14:20; Arrival 20:53; Duration 6h 33m
Vishakapatnam New Delhi Apexp
Departure 15:45; Arrival 19:05; Duration 3h 20m
Chattisgarh Express
Departure 16:30; Arrival 20:20; Duration 3h 50m
Jhelum Express
Departure 17:12; Arrival 21:56; Duration 4h 44m
Gatimaan Express
Departure 17:50; Arrival 19:30; Duration 1h 40m
Punjab Mail
Departure 17:55; Arrival 22:22; Duration 4h 27m
Andaman Express
Departure 18:33; Arrival0:44; Duration 6h 11m
Taj Express
Departure 18:55; Arrival 22:05; Duration 3h 10m
New Delhi Shatabdi Express
Departure 21:15; Arrival 23:30; Duration 2h 15m
Rajdhani Express
Departure 3:30; Arrival 5:55; Duration 2h 25m
Haridwar Lokmanyatilak Ac Shrungavarpukta
Departure 4:05; Arrival 6:55; Duration 2h 50m
Mumbai Special Jammu
Departure 4:05; Arrival 7:30; Duration3h 25m
Shirdi Sinagar Shrungavarpukta Kalka Express
Departure 4:05; Arrival 7:30; Duration 3h 25m
Jammu Durg Express
Departure 4:05; Arrival 7:15; Duration 3h 10m
Gondwana Express
Departure 4:18; Arrival 7:30; Duration 3h 12m
Jammu Durg Express Settigunta
Departure 5:36; Arrival 9:20; Duration 3h 44m
Ind Amritsar Express
Departure 6:23; Arrival 11:10; Duration 4h 47m
Ujjaini Express
Departure 7:08; Arrival 11:10; Duration 4h 2m
Lokmanyatilak Nizamuddin Ac Express
Departure7:57; Arrival 10:25; Duration 2h 28m
Nanded Amritsar Shrungavarpukta Express
Departure 9:15; Arrival 13:00; Duration 3h 45m
Kongu Express
Departure 11:24; Arrival 14:15; Duration 2h 51m
Vishakapatnam Amritsar Hirakud Express
Departure 11:29; Arrival 14:40; Duration 3h 11m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
Swarnajayanti Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
Nizamuddin Express
Departure 14:05; Arrival 17:10; Duration 3h 5m
Tirukkural Express
Departure 15:15; Arrival 18:00; Duration 2h 45m
Gd Sushasan Express
Departure 15:30; Arrival 19:00; Duration3h 30m
Navyug Express
Departure 17:30; Arrival 0:44; Duration7h 14m
Dehradun Express
Departure 17:30; Arrival 20:40; Duration 3h 10m
Tirunelveli Jammu Express
Departure 17:30; Arrival 0:44; Duration 7h 14m
Jabalpur Svdk Express
Departure 18:33; Arrival 0:44; Duration 6h 11m
Jabalpur Atari Special
Departure 19:50; Arrival 0:20; Duration 4h 30m
Chandigarh Express
Departure 21:05; Arrival 0:55; Duration 3h 50m
Pondicherry New Delhi Express
Departure 23:00; Arrival 3:20; Duration 4h 20m
DAY 6
NEW DELHI
New Delhi is our final destination and we arrived at 17:10 in Hazrat Nizamuddin Train Station NZM in New Delhi.
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| Delhi Metro Rail : Nehru Place (Violet) To New Delhi (Yellow) |
We Took Bus No. 261 From Sarai Kale Khan Bus Stop and get off at Kashmere Gate Bus Stop.
Delhi Bus no. 427
1. HZM Nizamuddin Railway Station --> 2. Ashram --> 3. Sri Niwas Puri Depot --> 4. Nehru Place Terminal
We then walked to the nearby Nehru Place Metro Station and get on board the Violet Line, interchange to Yellow Line at Central Secretarial and Got off at at New Delhi Metro Station.
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| Take Bus No. 261 Sarai Kale Bus Stop |
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| Route Covering Jama Masjid to India Gate |
DELHI GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS
If you come to Delhi and looking for a decent restaurant to have a meal, I would recommend to you guys Karim's restaurant in Old Delhi. You guys have to try it yourselves. There are many Karim restaurant branches in New Delhi. But, if you want delightful dining experience then, go to the one near to Jama Masjid Mosque in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi. Yup, here you guys can enjoy the unique cuisine recipes handed down from the days of Shah Jahan Moghul Palace. When I go there I usually order naan bread of choice, with khorma lamb or goat. The spices and aromas will be out of the ordinary. It will be dining experience that can never be forgotten for those who first coming here.
Getting To Karim's Restaurant:
Delhi Metro Violet Line
1. ISBT / Kashmere Gate --> 2. Lal Qila --> 3. Jama Masjid
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| Jama Masjid Metro Station |
Walk from Metro Station to the restaurant.
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| Karim's Restaurant |
The Second location.... The restaurant's name is Garam Masala located in Chanakyapuri ... This a fine-dining restaurant serving excellent food at prices that are easy on your wallet. You can bring you family here. All the dishes here are the best. You guys have to try the Mix Kebab and their Mutton Raan is the best!, marinated long hours then slow cook until the meat melts away from the bone.
Getting To Garam Masala Restaurant:
Delhi Bus no. 604
1. New Delhi Railway Station Gate 2 --> 2. Palika Kendra --> 3. Krishi Bhawan --> 4. Teen Murti --> 5. USSR Embassy (Russian Embassy)
https://www.dtcbusroutes.in/bus/route/321/new-delhi-railway-station-gate-2/to/chhatarpur-metro-station/
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| Take Bus No. 604 From New Delhi Metro Stn Bus Stop |
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| Garam Masala Restaurant |
The Third location.... I would love to bring my friends from Kuala Lumpur to come here. Jammu Kashmir House, this place is not a classy restaurant ... but, what is so interesting? The taste of the dishes is very pleasing to my palate and in fact, many Malaysians are the regular customers. Malaysians in New Delhi are fond of coming here. ... Chicken curry and lamb curry are the signature cuisines that you guys must try. Try their curry chicken, lamb curry or lamb khorma that are delicious. Add extra green salad and more rice. I bet that you will have a second helping of the meal.
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| Jammu & Kashmir House |
DAY 7
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| Bus No. 505 Kamla Market To Mehrauli Terminal |
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| Route Covering Qutub Minar to National Railway Museum |
QUTUB MINAR
When you come here you should stop by and see the Islamic civilization that left behind a long time ago in India.
Qutub Minar is actually in Urdu that can be translated as the Tower. Was built with red sandstone and marble it is the second highest minaret in India after Burj Fateh or "Victory Tower" located in the village Chappar Chiri in Mohali Punjab region.
With a height of 73 meters (237.8 feet) it contains 379 stairs to reach the top and with a diameter of 14.3 meters, while the top floor measures 2.7 meters.
Construction of the Qutub Minar was started by Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak (the first Sultan of Delhi) in 1192 and is famous for being one of the earliest construction and the most prominent features of Mughal architecture. It is surrounded by ancient structures of several other structures (including the ones from the civilization era of Hindu and Jain).
Qutub Minar is also well known Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (built 1192-1316) the earliest mosque built by Sultan of Delhi. If up to Qutub Minar, it is actually a large complex. The Qutub Minar area acts as an important institution of Islamic religious activities a long time ago.
There is little doubt (for some historians) on the purpose why Minar tower was built. When referred to the local people, they said it served as the muezzin call to prayer to tell the time. However, the altitude is too high to be said not possible for people to hear the azan from top of the tower.
Qutub Minar height at 73 meters is the world's tallest minaret constructed out of rubble masonry. Inside the tower, a circular staircase with hundreds of steps leading to the top, whereby the muezzin needs to exert himself for climbing the stairs and then, he will be gasping for breath once he reaches the top, let alone to perform the call for prayer from this height.
In my opinion, after visualizing this complex I could say that Qutub Minar was built as a construction engineering technology & architecture to show that Islam was ahead of his time. In fact, the capability to raise the height of the tower in this manner to portray the great spiritual aspects of Islam to glorify the God.
Da'wah is to invite people, both Muslims and non-Muslims, to understand the worship of Allah as expressed in the Qur'an and the sunnah of the prophet Muhammad and to inform them about Islam.
In order to perform Da'wah you need to be seen and heard.
The Qutub Minar is visible object serving as a guide can be easily seen and recognized from a distance, especially one that enables someone to establish its location and inviting people to go there.
Today Qutub Minar is still receiving guests from among the ummah of Muhammad to perform prayers, particularly on Fridays and Eid holidays.
ASOKAN PILLAR OF DELHI
If there is an opportunity to come to Qutub Minar complex, you guys should not fail to notice the iron pole that stood in the public square of the Qutub Minar complex.
What is so interesting about this pole? The iron pillar is said to have stood on the site since AD 400. As I mentioned earlier Qutub Minar complex was built on the former site of the ancient Hindu and Jain civilization. It was said a long time ago, before the Delhi ruled by Islam Sultanate, this complex was the site of a shrine for followers of the Jain religion. And an iron pillar that was the central of the Jain temple building. Many researchers believe that history here, built the original temple was demolished by the Sultan of Delhi in his era. However, the iron pillar was not removed ... because of what I'm not sure. There are things puzzling researchers about the metal the iron pole was made ... they said metal or iron pole doesn’t really come from India. There's a bit of a myth around that the iron metal pole used for its construction does not even come from this earth. Perhaps this pole was guarded by mystical things, too amazing that the iron pillar does not rust despite stood there for over 1600 years.
Getting To Qutub Minar:
Once exit from Saket Metro Station wait at Sai-Ul-Azaib Bus Stop for Bus no. 34 and get off at the next bus stop and walk to Qutub Minar Complex.
Delhi Bus no. 34
1. Said-Ul-Azaib (Saket Metro Station) --> 2. Lado Sarai
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| Walk from Lado Sarai Bus Stop to reach to Qutub Minar |
Mas Flight MH191
DEL-KUL
Departure from New Delhi Indira Ghandi International Airport at 11:10 PM
The sound of the colorful trains going across the Indian subcontinent is still ringing in my ears, even after more than a month after returning home.
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