Visiting India turned out to be an experience rather than a leisure trip! One thing became quite evident after our recent short stay visit: without prior knowledge or a proper guide, the excitement can soon turn into a nightmare.

After arrival at Mumbai International Airport at midnight, connecting on domestic flights involves more than the usual: Once through custom clearance, you collect your luggage and move to an unidentified waiting room where you share quite some time with a brigade of mosquitoes. Suddenly a heavy steel door opens and you are ordered in a foreign tongue to bring your suitcase and move onto a waiting bus. You load your own luggage and the bus route takes you past rows of aircraft, eventually reaching the domestic airport on the other side of the maze of roads and runways. You are literally dumped at a back door and are, yet again, to find your own way through empty arrival halls, just previously fumigated to try and control the mosquito-epidemics!
 

With a sixth of the world’s population living in India, everything is quoted in extremes: literacy, poverty, traffic. For the first-time visitor, it can be a powerful assault on the senses: noisy, frenetic, vibrant and chaotic. A country of incredible contrasts and paradoxes. And yet, a country with a growth rate of almost 8 percent! India is possibly the most diverse nation in the world. In area, it is the seventh largest country, and in population second only to China. Within its geographical confines, stretching from the Himalayas in the north to the tropical peninsular south, there is a dizzying variety of languages, cultures, ethnic groups, beliefs and lifestyles that few continents, let alone countries, possess.

Indian cuisine is as rich in variety as the country itself. The delicate flavours of the classical cuisine that developed in the imperial courts of Delhi, are complemented by a vast range of regional specialities, made with a variety of exotic ingredients. Although preparing of food on street corners is quite common, it is recommended never to buy food from street vendors, as this can have serious after effects to your health!

It is etiquette to accept, when beverages are offered by the host. A variety of local teas are available. Serving of alcohol is restricted. Drinking alcohol in public places is not permitted, except for restaurants. However, bringing your own wine to a restaurant is not allowed.

DELHI
 

Delhi, the capital of India, is the country’s third largest city with a population of 12 million. Situated along the Yamuna River, Delhi today exists of Old Delhi, New Delhi as well as the contemporary suburb of Gurgaon. New Delhi was built under Colonial rule by the British in the 1930’s. Today it is still a major cultural centre of the country, with music, dance and art events held throughout the year. Due to our short stay, it was only possible to screen some of the highlights of Delhi: The Red Fort (built from red sandstone by Shah Jahan, who also commissioned the infamous Taj Mahal in Agra), the ruined structures of Qutb Minar, where the world’s highest single tower is found. This Mehrauli Archaeological Park today is a World Heritage Site. The area around Chandni Chowk is a mixture of historic buildings and fascinating stalls in narrow streets selling gold and silver trimmings at Kinari Bazaar.

Old Delhi’s bazaars are legendary. The narrow streets of Jami Masjid are lined with shops whose goods spill onto the pavement; and shopping still means vigorous bargaining for a bewildering array of goods and junk. The seat of Parliament is situated around Vijay Chowk, in New Delhi. British architect Lutyens was commissioned to design India’s new capital in 1911. When driving around this sector of the city, it almost feel as if you are right in the heart of London. Connaught Place is an Imperial Plaza, housing many international branded boutique shops and offices.

Jantar Mantar is an interesting observatory, built to calculate the eclipses and planetary positions, required to set the timings of sacred rituals. Appealing alike for its sculptural architecture, the Baha’i House of Worship was completed in the mid 80’s. The arresting shape of its unfurling 27-petalled white marble lotus has given it its more popular name, the Lotus Temple and is often referred to as the Modern Taj Mahal. - Johann Beukes