Delhi Detours and Disappointments

David: I'm writing the words but this is Sue's post because it includes a selection of her photos.

Day 2, (or 3)

Sadly another day spent completely on a coach, with the first few hours wasted, because Delhi was closed again and coaches were not allowed, well, anywhere really. We went from roundabout to roundabout being refused entry to the roads we wanted until we were back at the first one again. So we didn't see Old Delhi and we didn't get our (included) rickshaw ride where we would have got up close to the people in the back alleys. It's now been promised for our last day in the north before we go to the airport.

Three hours later we were outside the city again on the road to Jaipur. It was everything we expected: mad driving, constant hooting, thousands of motorbikes, three wheel rickshaws with 14 passengers, cows in the road, dogs wandering, camel carts - the lot. And a speeding ticket for the driver, which apparently was reduced after 'negotiation'. (Fine paid in cash, official receipt not required.) Our guide told us that the government was elected to stamp out corruption but now nothing gets done because there's no cash incentive. Indian wheels take a lot of oiling.

Sue:   

  

As David said - a long day on the coach.  We boarded at 8am and arrived at our current destination, Jaipur, at 5.30pm (with 3 comfort stops en route).

So my pictures are all taken through the coach window whilst moving (or stuck in traffic) and aren't as clear as I'd like, but they give an idea of what we shared the roads with:

Firstly, the 'bad guys' who wouldn't let coaches through to the centre of Delhi - note the workmen in the road painting the black and white sections on the barriers - no health & safety rules here!

whilst on the subject of policemen - this is the speedcheck we passed en route to Jaipur before being pulled over for exceeding the limit.   Doesn't look as though the officers were paying any attention does it?   Apparently they target coaches as coach drivers carrying tourists tend not to argue too much.

 

Dutiful wife on back of bike carrying Hubby's tiffin.   Those tiffin tins stack into one tube and contain various curry courses.

By the way, although most male cyclists wear helmets there is no law saying that women must - and most of them don't!    Seikhs do not have to wear helmets for religious reasons.

 Bullock cart

Horse and cart

and yes, that is an elephant's bottom in front of our coach.    I was sitting in a window seat so didn't see it - David managed to get this shot down the aisle of the coach and through the front screen (not bad as we were seated halfway down the coach)

another of his photos showing just how congested the roads get with bikes, motorbikes, auto-rickshaws etc

How many?

and again, how many?   They were hanging off the back and sides of this jeep

and when we pulled alongside I realised why ... no more room inside.  I reckon it was carrying 12+ people

Ladies walking along the edge of the highway

Sheep being herded along the edge of the road

and cows (sacred of course) wander wherever they like it seems - many sleep on the central reservations between roads

Saw this chap on a quiet section of road (and there aren't many of those).  Loved the cape flowing out behind him.

Tomorrow we will be visiting temples and forts so will be out of the coach and I should have some better pics to show.

I have managed to get some 'character photos' and here are a few ... this is my main interest this trip I think.

the doorman here at our Jaipur Hotel ... I have more of him in full garb but wanted head shots mainly

That's it for now.  We have 60 mins free WiFi and have used most of it up.... till tomorrow