2024 Dec-India Thu 19. Delhi.

This was supposed to be a relaxing day. I ended up on the move for the entire day. Relax...pfft.

I walked the same Karol Barg streets this morning (9am). The likely streets were so different without the lights. People just cleaning up and setting up for the day. Touters and beggers still present...but you just ignore. Tuk tuk drivers are annoying but you just do not respond if you want to be left alone.

Touters say they do not want to sell you anything, just being friendly, but they always want to sell to you. I can see why tourists get tired by these touters. Simply ignore and do not respond. Problem solved.

I went to the Karol Barg Metro station and purchased a Delhi Metro Smartcard for INR150 (includes INR100 trip credit).

Off I went for my light day of travels. Visited (or tried to):

1) Ugrasen ki Baoli.

2) *Rashtrapati Bhavan (required pre booking).

3) *Parliament House (you cannot actually access, drive past from a distance only).

4) Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.

5) Qutb Minar.

*So what happened with the Indian military today? Not my fault.

After exiting the Central Secretariat Metro, you had to ignore Google Maps and walk a huge loop over to Rashtrapati. The 'direct' route is not accessible by the public as it is part of a secured zone only available to military and certain public servants. 

When I reached Rashtrapati, you could not access the through-road unless you had pre-booked tickets. This, I was not aware of. Thus, the security/military guys and I had a chat about cricket (they brought up the subject). They also advised me that one cannot access Parliament House either. When these are listed as tourist sights, it is not really. All it is is a drive-by from a distance.

The security guys told me I could walk straight back down the direction of the secured area that Google Maps had indicated. This was contradictory to me being stopped beforehand. Nonetheless, I walked the mass expanse of space towards the next security area of the 'direct' path. The second set of security guards waved at me to change my course towards the direction of the long deviation (where I had originallycome from). However...I noticed a carpark, next to the park-like area that led to India Gate (far away in the distance). This was manned by security. The security didn't stop me and let me straight through. Well, that was good. It reduces my walk substantially. 

I dawdled through the open green grassed area, where some military guys were eating lunch and relaxing.

I walked back towards Central Secretariat Metro on the 'direrct' route. I sat on the quiet grass and relaxed a little bit in the shade. My lower back was killing me. As I started my way back to the Metro, I asked a military guy about the exact direction. He was shocked as to how I got into the area. He asked me how I got in...I said via the 'carpark'. He then showed me how to get out of the area, with no back tracking. They, at that time it was 2x guards, watched me to make sure I left that area.

I can appreciate the security measures required in India, due to past terrorism and relationship with Pakistan. But I am a humble tourist, standing out like a tourist in my bright, blue long steeved shirt and carrying a camera and snapping away...

The takeaway from all of this...tourists will go anywhere and everywhere. If you do not block it off, then we are like rats and will get in, even inadvertently. 

Since I was unsuccessful in visiting Parliament House (which you cannot visit anyway), and I didn't have an advanced booking for Rashtrapati Bhavan (you need to book way in advance!), I decided to catch the metro over to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. 

My last sightseeing stop of the day was at Qutb Minar. This must be a sanctuary for squirrels! So many around, particularly near the entrance washroom area.

Metro system was easy enough to use. They could do with some signage improvements. You could always find a local that spoke enough English to clarify directions.

Aftet a nice hot shower it was time to walk the streets at night. For dinner, I ate only two samosas. It was nice and filling. It tasted just the same as what it is like in Australia. Australian Indian food must be good.