MissTtravels

Relaxing with a chai before going out for our final group dinner.

Today we packed up early and headed for the train station, leaving behind our beloved Khandela Haveli.

We got a porter to move our mountain of bags into position to get on to the train for Delhi. Absolutely chaotic, but we made it.

Really comfortable train journey. “Executive Class.” About 3 hours. Mostly spent dozing.

We were served an incredible huge breakfast.

Getting off the train at Delhi Cantonment station, we secured a female porter, who miraculously got us to our minibus unscathed. Again, chaos reigned. SO many people and vehicles everywhere. Traffic is tediously slow.

We proceeded to an unexpected pleasure. Sunita took us to visit Qutub Minar, a 13th century tower and mosque complex built by the first Moghul (Afghan) ruler of Delhi. It was built on the site of a much earlier Hindu temple, part of which remains. Both are exquisitely beautiful. Really stunning.

The tower is climbed by 376 steps, but is now closed. Approximately 5 storeys tall.

The minar is set in park-like gardens. In the middle of the chaos that is Delhi. So often around the world, conquering heroes have chosen to destroy something old and beautiful to assert their own authority. This is such a case.

Later we had a really yummy lunch in a cool modern restaurant before arriving at our last hotel for this tour.

We are off to dinner shortly. Delhi weather is cooler than it was 2 weeks ago, but the air feels cleaner.