Delhi, a gateway to North India

A month in advance did we plan this trip. My roller skating club was invited to attend the ice skating camp in Gurugram, and I, having ice skated before couldn’t pass this opportunity. But what is the point in travelling all the way there without also exploring the place.

Weeks of discussion lead to us booking flights, and the stay was sorted out. The luggage was packed well in advance. Then came the day of travel. My mom who was going to accompany me during the trip, and I flew into Delhi international airport for our first ever trip of north India.

Photo of Delhi, a gateway to North India by Celine (@DroneGirlFly)

Read on for experiencing the next ten days with me.

Day 1:

We had a comfortable flight with Vistara airline. But little did we know the journey from the airport to Noida would take as long as the flight from Chennai to Delhi.

After a total of 5 hours, (2.5hr flight + 2.5 hr taxi) we reached Greater Noida where my cousin’s family is put up.

The rest of the day was all about catching up and exploring their neighborhood, and the next day we were going to journey toward the mountains.

Day 2: Nainital

Our destination was set for the weekend, Nainital, a Himalayan town in the state of Uttarakhand. With bags full of snacks and juices we started early that day aiming to reach the hill station by afternoon.

The car was packed with 5 adults and a dog. I did no driving this time and just stretched in the back seat. We were all waiting for the time we reached the mountains but it wasn’t until we had crossed some highways, rugged roads and a national forest region. Yes the Jim Corbett national park is very close to Nainital and could have been a day trip. But we skipped it this time.

It was in the afternoon that we gazed upon those hills. It took half an hour through the mountainous road to reach Nainital. We entered the town and were soon helplessly misdirected, even by google. Those narrow and steep streets could trip off even the best of drivers. That said I can easily admit that the best of drivers live and drive here. With some help from the locals we found the way to our hotel, which was up a ~60 degree sloped road. Luckily our vehicle was automatic.

Upon arrival and a sumptuous meal, it was sight seeing time. The hotel had a stand by vehicle for pick up and drop to the city center, which was here called the Mall Road. Buzzing with local food and other vendors, it was the most happening place in town. The shops and carts laced the beautiful Lake Naini.

We strolled past some vendors only to be greeted by boat sailors who offered to take us on a trip on the lake. Suddenly you see that they are everywhere in that area. We had no escape, so we followed one of them to the boats. There was no negotiating, as there was a counter with fixed price. After paying for a 35 minute ride we embarked on a most serene and scenic trip. The views from the lake are as magnificent as the view of the lake itself from the upper parts of town.

I could do this everyday, I thought, as I watched my mom and cousin on the other boat capturing the moments on camera.

The stillness and silence of the boat ride soon came to an end and we stepped back into the hustle bustle. The sunset only brings the boats back to dock but the streets got busier as night broke.

I want to sing the next part,

“

As you wind through the streets

At the fabled bazaars

With the cardamom-cluttered stalls*

You can smell every spice

While you haggle the price

Of the silks and the satin shawls

“

*Except no cardamom, but plenty of shawls to go about.

Aloo tiki chat and hot chai was dinner, and I was eyeing the packets of maggi noodles stacked up on carts. I was gonna treat myself to some street cart maggi on one of these days. It happened as planned on the next day.

Day 3: Paragliding

After a breakfast worth mentioning, we headed to the nearby town Bhimtal, which we learnt is a hub for paragliding. We were intercepted by multiple paragliding companies that didn’t know we already had a session booked. It was my first time (so was it for the other two gliding) , and the thought of running and jumping off a cliff seemed wacky.

Moments before we jumped off, my instructor and I, I was starring at the steep fall ahead and blindly trusted the organizers. As we started to run, my weight was soon carried by the sail and we lift off.. wohooo. The moment of panic was over and we were cruising down in a zig zag motion. After five minutes or so we landed, smooth and steadily. I sat there later watching my fellow travelers ride the paraglide. It’s a beautiful sight to watch the sails glide mid air.

What was more adventurous though was three of us riding a motorbike uphill on unpaved road, to join the rest of the party. Next up was lunch, and just the way I like it, with a view. We then headed to another lake Naukuchiyatal where the same trio went kayaking. Another serene moment with nothing to disturb, but wait, there come more boat loads of tourists yelling at each other. After the short kayaking session we headed back to Nainital.

Round two of boating on the lake Naini , followed by a dress up photo shoot and hot maggi from the stall was on the cards.

Nothing like slurping down steaming hot maggi on a cold night.

Heading back to the hotel we arranged a campfire. Music, campfire and more food brought our eventful Saturday to an end.

Day 4 : Return to Noida

We were driving back to Greater Noida, after a short shopping spree at the Tibetean market and not missing on the he delicious spicy veg momos.

Parking in the town was difficult business. We then drove back to Noida the same way we came.

Day 5: Ice Skating

Day 5 of the trip, but first day of ice skating.

Mom and I parted from Greater Noida to Gurugram a ~2hour journey. With that trip we have touched four different states in 5 days.

Parents and kids participating at the ice skating camp assembled at the ISKATE, the ice rink in Gurugram. I brought my own skates, but it felt blunt so I opted for the rental skates which were also somewhat blunt.

Gliding on the ice felt so different after months of rollerblading but at least I didn’t fall. We were divided into two groups on day one. The absolute beginners and the intermediate. I joined the intermediate group as it was not my first day on ice.

A couple of hours of skating after which we had the whole afternoon and evening to venture something else.

Soon we were headed toward Qutub minar in an Ola cab. At the ticket counter opposite the main entrance there was a long line so I suggested that we take the help of a tour guide, and we did, after negotiating for three hundred bucks. He was going to buy the tickets and give us a tour of the monuments within the Qutub minar complex. The complex where the minar stood was extensive and well maintained. As we were keenly listening to his narration, the guide stopped us at the perfect vista of the minar for a photo.

The guide turned paparazzi now lead us to all the right spots and all the right poses for memorable photos.

We then headed off to the nearby metro station in a tuk tuk, as I had researched about it, and we were gonna head into town(NewDelhi) with the metro.

Passing by street vendors, parched , one couldn’t help but buy a lemon soda. I had a goli soda with lemon and salt, while a bike rider parked next to me drank 5 glasses of cold water from the vendor. Yes it was that hot.

Riding the metro was easy business, like in any other country, with the only caveat being, finding a seat.

We stepped out at Rajiv Chowk or Connaught Place. I’d say that we were a bit disappointed as there weren’t as many people and the central park was closed. It was clean and posh though. After walking about and enjoying some natural ice cream we took an auto to India Gate.

With a large park in front, the India gate reminded me of European monuments. The red structure, the golden sunset, a silhouette of the Rashtrapathy Bhavan and numerous tourists, made for a beautiful experience. From there we took a closer look at the Rashtrapathy Bhavan, old and new Parliament House lit up at sunset.

An auto driver convinced us (we did exactly what dad told us not to do) to go to Dilli Haat, an exhibition of various goods and foods from around India. It was clean and the prices were reasonable. I had freshly made jalebi with rabadi which was mouth watering delicious.

Day 6: Old Delhi

Back in Gurugram, Skating backwards was becoming a painful routine. We did the swizzle (lemons) forward and backward. I used to be able to do it with ease, but after the long break that I had it was a struggle.

Moving on, we teamed up with few others in the skating camp to visit the Red Fort in old Delhi. Having aced my first trip in the metro yesterday, I was playing tour guide to the others who were new to it. An hour long journey to Chandni Chowk metro followed by a tuk tuk ride to the fort, and we were greeted by the small cart vendors and insane traffic of Old Delhi. Once inside the fort it was peace a quiet and less crowded shops.

Would have been nice to stay for the light show but we had hungry bellies and kids to feed. So we set course for a popular restaurant in Chandni Chowk. Our ride from Red Fort into Chandni Chowk in a Tuk Tuk was a roller coaster. We soon laid eyes on the beautiful structure of the Jamma masjid as our Tuk tuks came to a halt. Getting down and walking on the street felt like walking into the beating heart of the city.

Dinner was followed by a walk in the Chowk. I'd say I rather not look up.

Very soon I was sipping on a glass of sharbat e mohabat which is something I have never drank or seen elsewhere, rose milk with watermelon pieces. I name it the Indian bubble tea, yum.

It was getting late and the heat from the open kitchens were getting to me so I wanted to soon leave. The only thing now keeping us was the sweet naans we ordered after trying out the free pieces handed to us.

With sore feet we returned in a metro to Gurugram, luckily there were seats for everyone this time.

Day 7:

Wednesday, the camp was getting more intense. After sweating it out at the camp I went for a Thai bubble tea in the mall.

The same crew from yesterday wanted to go somewhere shopping today. Since I had heard about Sarojini Nagar market from my cousin, I proposed it, as the other market on the table was Karol Bagh which was twice as far.

I was going to take a slight detour from the others and also visit the Lodhi art district before heading to the market.

In the market we were approached in all directions by vendors, and once you buy something you’d think they go away, they don’t and wait to sell you more of the same stuff. There was a lot of cheap stuff, footwear, clothing, accessories, AirPods.

We survived another evening of craziness.

Day 8: Ice Skating

Last day of training before competitions on Friday.

We had extra warm up from the coach, deemed to do our best on the ice.

Nothing but relaxation and good food that evening. Best decision made.

Day 9: Races

Not horse races, speed skating races. After a warm up drill, we lined up based on age categories to race. Girls seperate from boys. It was great to see everyone give their best on ice and to cheer for them, and even more exhilarating to participate.

After the races and prize distributions by the coaches, those with medals took a victory lap, and plenty of snaps.

The purpose of the visit was fulfilled. After saying our goodbyes, we soon left for Noida where we were going to spend the night.

Day 10: Taj Mahal

Come on, I couldn’t come to Delhi and not not visit the Taj Mahal.

My cousin who had been there before was our tour guide for the day. A two and half hour car ride to Agra and soon we were in the green zone of the Taj Mahal.

It was everything that I expected, crowded, hot, and still magnificently beautiful.

Having clicked enough photos to fill albums, we exited the monument.

We then took an easy lunch break at Mc Donald’s then headed to the Agra Fort. It was more than twice as big as the Red Fort in Delhi and one had a perfect perspective of the Taj Mahal and the Yamuna.