Monday, December 08, 2003
Northern India - Haryana/Jaipur > Day 02 / 3:56 pm
>> 07 Dec 2003 (Day 02)
****THIS IS DAY 02///READ DAY 01 BEFORE PROCEEDING THIS>>>>
After passing by several armed soliders, finally made our way out of Indira Ghandi New Delhi Int'l Airport. Its kinda weird to see rows & rows of auto-dispensing drink machines and so many Indians & motorbikes crowding outside. Hello....its 0001h! Yet..there's so many people. According to travel books...they warned all travellers to stay catious as most int'l flights land late at night/early-morning, so all travellers are exhausted & will get conned very easily. Nonetheless, i was aware of it...anw....im in a group tour....nothing to worry.
Air pollution is the biggest of the litany of environmental problems facing New Delhi. The pollution is eminently preventable...ok...recently the govt encourage the usage of CNG and many vehicles plying on the roads have the initials 'CNG' painted on vehicles. Midnight...and its very hazy, not mist or fog. =o. You can even smell the obnoxious stench of the pollutants.
Most buses have fans fixed inside them, coz during summer the temp hits 45C. Its common to see trucks to have the phrase "Blow horn"painted at the back. Why? Horning is so damn prevalent...you hear horn so often that you will soon get used to it. Horning is like a 'must' when one wants to overtake the truck...otherwise....the truck will NOT let u do so...Horning also acts a warning that 'im coming, move off'. The roads of India are b-a-d.
****THIS IS DAY 02///READ DAY 01 BEFORE PROCEEDING THIS>>>>
After passing by several armed soliders, finally made our way out of Indira Ghandi New Delhi Int'l Airport. Its kinda weird to see rows & rows of auto-dispensing drink machines and so many Indians & motorbikes crowding outside. Hello....its 0001h! Yet..there's so many people. According to travel books...they warned all travellers to stay catious as most int'l flights land late at night/early-morning, so all travellers are exhausted & will get conned very easily. Nonetheless, i was aware of it...anw....im in a group tour....nothing to worry.
Air pollution is the biggest of the litany of environmental problems facing New Delhi. The pollution is eminently preventable...ok...recently the govt encourage the usage of CNG and many vehicles plying on the roads have the initials 'CNG' painted on vehicles. Midnight...and its very hazy, not mist or fog. =o. You can even smell the obnoxious stench of the pollutants.
Most buses have fans fixed inside them, coz during summer the temp hits 45C. Its common to see trucks to have the phrase "Blow horn"painted at the back. Why? Horning is so damn prevalent...you hear horn so often that you will soon get used to it. Horning is like a 'must' when one wants to overtake the truck...otherwise....the truck will NOT let u do so...Horning also acts a warning that 'im coming, move off'. The roads of India are b-a-d.
Bumpy, hardly smooth, concrete (not tarred; except for certain places) and lots of pitholes. Some roads dun look like roads, some are dirtpaths. Travelling on roads is like sitting on a vibrating chair going up and down continously, the further away from the cities, the bumpier the ride. Hence, Indians claim that its all right to have a full meal coz the bumpy ride will prevent constipation, enhance peristalsis, thus faster digestion. Hahahahaha...what a joke i tot...but they were right...it was indeed true....i nvr felt full or had any stomach aches....
Basic tip: NEVER NEVER drink tap water...even though its a 5* hotel. First time to india muz NEVER gargle your mouth or brush teeth with tap water. NEVER drink cold water. Avoid contact of tap water with your eyes. Use mineral H20 for all cases. Yes...even brushing ur teeth use mineral water (erm...its cheap anw!)
Though its already midnight, the traffic is still heavy...at times...traffic jam! OmG!!! The roadside are filled with dilapidated houses...the roads are dimly-lited. Well, not much to see in the wee-hours of morning. Stay for the night..erm morning...Taj Palace....the best hotel in New Delhi or 2nd best in India. As it is situated in the middle of embassy enclave, we had to pass by numerous embassies like Qatar & Greece, each with their own unique architectural design.
0041h - Arrvied at the 5* Taj Palace
Oooooh....what good hospitality they have.....so many slaves...ahem...sorrie...helpers to take care of your every needs. What a posh, opulent, extravagant hotel! Gold-chrome railings, Arab-style sofas & furniture, chandeliers....and whoa!...an antique oak-colored grand piano. Accomodation at Room 154. The thing erm....i dun like is the deco inside....i detest or felt annoyed by the paintings hung up....it was like a demon facing your bed..OmG!!! How can i sleep?! That 'demon' was obstructing my peace. Bad 'feng shui'. Even mirror oso placed at the wrong area...Tsk.....Whatever...i was too tired to rectify any furniture arrangement...bah...let the demon stare at mi all it like. Slept at 0200h.
Zzzzz...Namaste! Morning call at 0600h..haiz...nt enuff rest....the demon was the 1st to greet morning to me...Oh...their 0600h looks like our 0800h....so bright!...and yeah....hazy -_-". They delivered my morning "The India Times" to my doorstep. I sure love the cute fabric newspaper bag hung on all door knobs to hold the dailies. Haha...Lolz.
At 0700h...went to 1st floor to have ahhhhh.....my beloved...my dreams...Int'l Morning Buffet!!!! Sluurrrppp!!!! The unique thing is that...ooh...the chef goes to you and enquire, "Sir...would you like to have an omelette?" Astonished..he showed me the concept of 'pick & mix' omelette, then let the chef cook & serve it to you...WoW!!! I was pleased with their excellent service. Their buffet spread was spectacular....the usual...plus some weird stuff like German breakfast bar..and of curz...N.Indian food(din try that...i was attracted to the western =p). There was outdoor dining next to the pool and garden...Nice scenery..cooling (18C), but BAD air...Those who sat outside are what-i-call: chimneys.
0815h - Left Taj Palace...sobzz...sobzz...On our way to the state of Rajasthan!!!
Passed by India AirForce Academy..they look like castles!!!! Whenever there are empty fields, there are always kids & adults playing India's most favorite game- Cricket. Well, the roads are dusty, visibility was low...now i understand why most planes dun depart in the morning...=O. Along the roads, its prevalent to see buffaloes, camels, cows, push-carts...and so on....Saw a snake-charmer at the toll gate...I pity the poor guy in ragged clothes...Speechless/
Delhi is now over...welcome to the state of Haryana...looks more like a small-scale of Bangalore...modern industrial state...the scenery is now modern commercial buildings...now this state is one of the richest among all the states. After travelling nearly 3h on Highway 8...we made a rest at Rajasthani Motel..a colonial Raj hotel..with a very old, unappealing, dusty souvenir shop selling exorbitant stuff.
Left at 1120h...pass by numerous agricultural field filled with yellow flowers....whoa! Simply mesmerising! For the next hour, the scenery was this...imagine the massive-scale of this plantation! After a looooooong journey thru many small cities, travelling at 80 - 110km/h....we finally arrived in Rajasthan state - Jaipur city. Raj means King, Sthan means place.
Basic tip: NEVER NEVER drink tap water...even though its a 5* hotel. First time to india muz NEVER gargle your mouth or brush teeth with tap water. NEVER drink cold water. Avoid contact of tap water with your eyes. Use mineral H20 for all cases. Yes...even brushing ur teeth use mineral water (erm...its cheap anw!)
Though its already midnight, the traffic is still heavy...at times...traffic jam! OmG!!! The roadside are filled with dilapidated houses...the roads are dimly-lited. Well, not much to see in the wee-hours of morning. Stay for the night..erm morning...Taj Palace....the best hotel in New Delhi or 2nd best in India. As it is situated in the middle of embassy enclave, we had to pass by numerous embassies like Qatar & Greece, each with their own unique architectural design.
0041h - Arrvied at the 5* Taj Palace
Oooooh....what good hospitality they have.....so many slaves...ahem...sorrie...helpers to take care of your every needs. What a posh, opulent, extravagant hotel! Gold-chrome railings, Arab-style sofas & furniture, chandeliers....and whoa!...an antique oak-colored grand piano. Accomodation at Room 154. The thing erm....i dun like is the deco inside....i detest or felt annoyed by the paintings hung up....it was like a demon facing your bed..OmG!!! How can i sleep?! That 'demon' was obstructing my peace. Bad 'feng shui'. Even mirror oso placed at the wrong area...Tsk.....Whatever...i was too tired to rectify any furniture arrangement...bah...let the demon stare at mi all it like. Slept at 0200h.
Zzzzz...Namaste! Morning call at 0600h..haiz...nt enuff rest....the demon was the 1st to greet morning to me...Oh...their 0600h looks like our 0800h....so bright!...and yeah....hazy -_-". They delivered my morning "The India Times" to my doorstep. I sure love the cute fabric newspaper bag hung on all door knobs to hold the dailies. Haha...Lolz.
At 0700h...went to 1st floor to have ahhhhh.....my beloved...my dreams...Int'l Morning Buffet!!!! Sluurrrppp!!!! The unique thing is that...ooh...the chef goes to you and enquire, "Sir...would you like to have an omelette?" Astonished..he showed me the concept of 'pick & mix' omelette, then let the chef cook & serve it to you...WoW!!! I was pleased with their excellent service. Their buffet spread was spectacular....the usual...plus some weird stuff like German breakfast bar..and of curz...N.Indian food(din try that...i was attracted to the western =p). There was outdoor dining next to the pool and garden...Nice scenery..cooling (18C), but BAD air...Those who sat outside are what-i-call: chimneys.
0815h - Left Taj Palace...sobzz...sobzz...On our way to the state of Rajasthan!!!
Passed by India AirForce Academy..they look like castles!!!! Whenever there are empty fields, there are always kids & adults playing India's most favorite game- Cricket. Well, the roads are dusty, visibility was low...now i understand why most planes dun depart in the morning...=O. Along the roads, its prevalent to see buffaloes, camels, cows, push-carts...and so on....Saw a snake-charmer at the toll gate...I pity the poor guy in ragged clothes...Speechless/
Delhi is now over...welcome to the state of Haryana...looks more like a small-scale of Bangalore...modern industrial state...the scenery is now modern commercial buildings...now this state is one of the richest among all the states. After travelling nearly 3h on Highway 8...we made a rest at Rajasthani Motel..a colonial Raj hotel..with a very old, unappealing, dusty souvenir shop selling exorbitant stuff.
Left at 1120h...pass by numerous agricultural field filled with yellow flowers....whoa! Simply mesmerising! For the next hour, the scenery was this...imagine the massive-scale of this plantation! After a looooooong journey thru many small cities, travelling at 80 - 110km/h....we finally arrived in Rajasthan state - Jaipur city. Raj means King, Sthan means place.
Filled with frenetic crowds, Rajasthan's chaotic, dusky-pink capital is a place of wild contrasts, bombarding the senses at every turn. Jaipur has long outstripped the confines of its city wall and is today among the most tumultous and pollutedlaces in Rajasthan. But its energy and vibrancy, coupleed with imposing historical and cultural wealth, are seductive.
Basically, its the land of the Raj. Yesh...the scenes of slums & squatters..broken houses....faeces being make into pancakes and left it to dry....start to become common sight. Mud houses, straw houses....its inexhaustive...On the way, Amber Fort was sighted on our right-side...It was above the ridges and had huge long walls around like the Great Wall of China. elephants were seen walking around. As we ascend the ridge fortified by Amber Fort, there was this beautiful lake....yesh...we have entered the Rajput's Dynasty days...There was this water palace in the middle of the lake. Whoa! Its like heaven...simply indescribable.
1400h - Exhausted by the long journey....time to eat! Arrived at Jaipur Rajputana Palace Sheraton Hotel (5*). Another colonial style hotel like Raffles Hotel...i realized i havent see any buildings above 7 storeys....Ok...another luxurious hotel but confusing layout. Our accomodation for the next 2 days...Room 1494. The way the lift works...hmm....confusing! E.g. If you're on 1st storey, the lift is on 3rd storey and you want to go up.....you must press the DOWN button to get the lift DOWN to the 1st storey to get u up! Ridiculous isnt it?! I din know initially....was waiting for the freaking lift for so long till the staff enlighten us...-_-"
No suite of curz....normal...ok....Except...the floor is green marble-tiled....whoa! Ok...its fake obviously....but strange...not carpeted....my poor feet is freezing. Beautiful sight. Obviously, all rooms faced the middle (Pool)...you would not want to see the sights of slums & squatters outside. the walls are high. the walls divide the well-off and the poor. Sigh.
The buffet lunch....slurp! Ok....since we were quite late...in fact its evening in S'pore....the chefs whip out more dishes. And the manager came personally & serve! Ahhh.....Good Service.....
Spicy chicken soup (Waaah!!!), Basmati Rice (Rice grains longer than Thai rice), Veg Balls, Veg Roll + cream, Noodles, Spicy cucumber, Naan, Ice-creams. The staff are really courteous! I luv it! the chef even came out personally and ask how was the food....excellent is the word! I admire their service! epitome!!
We were warned not to walk in the dark alone, never change currency outside, never make overseas calls in hotels coz they are 100x more expensive. Yep.....so many warnings to take note of. Left Sheraton hotel, went to south of the old-city ~ Albert Hall (Central) Museum....nono....din visit inside...but juz took snapshots outside. This structure is really infested with hundreds of pigeons!!! OmG!!! They are almost everywhere...juz like London's Trafalgar Sq.
1400h - Exhausted by the long journey....time to eat! Arrived at Jaipur Rajputana Palace Sheraton Hotel (5*). Another colonial style hotel like Raffles Hotel...i realized i havent see any buildings above 7 storeys....Ok...another luxurious hotel but confusing layout. Our accomodation for the next 2 days...Room 1494. The way the lift works...hmm....confusing! E.g. If you're on 1st storey, the lift is on 3rd storey and you want to go up.....you must press the DOWN button to get the lift DOWN to the 1st storey to get u up! Ridiculous isnt it?! I din know initially....was waiting for the freaking lift for so long till the staff enlighten us...-_-"
No suite of curz....normal...ok....Except...the floor is green marble-tiled....whoa! Ok...its fake obviously....but strange...not carpeted....my poor feet is freezing. Beautiful sight. Obviously, all rooms faced the middle (Pool)...you would not want to see the sights of slums & squatters outside. the walls are high. the walls divide the well-off and the poor. Sigh.
The buffet lunch....slurp! Ok....since we were quite late...in fact its evening in S'pore....the chefs whip out more dishes. And the manager came personally & serve! Ahhh.....Good Service.....
Spicy chicken soup (Waaah!!!), Basmati Rice (Rice grains longer than Thai rice), Veg Balls, Veg Roll + cream, Noodles, Spicy cucumber, Naan, Ice-creams. The staff are really courteous! I luv it! the chef even came out personally and ask how was the food....excellent is the word! I admire their service! epitome!!
We were warned not to walk in the dark alone, never change currency outside, never make overseas calls in hotels coz they are 100x more expensive. Yep.....so many warnings to take note of. Left Sheraton hotel, went to south of the old-city ~ Albert Hall (Central) Museum....nono....din visit inside...but juz took snapshots outside. This structure is really infested with hundreds of pigeons!!! OmG!!! They are almost everywhere...juz like London's Trafalgar Sq.
Well, as usual, everytime a tourist bus arrives, there will be streams of people hawking their goods, beggars, kids./......Its betta not to donate. Serious! Most kids, handicapped, poor are recruited by gangs. Donating to them doesnt means you are helping them. You are feeding the gang...the head of the tribe. Never get too emotional and donate! You hv no choice but to say no! There's no mercy involve here! You muz know the truth behind it! And even you die die muz donate...nvr donate in front of a crowd of beggars, coz u donate to one means you muz donate to ALL...otherwise....erm...dunno whether u can leave India or not.....Knowing Hindi is a great help!
Some place is really tooooooo risky to wander off by yourself. Arrived at the foot of a white marble temple....the name...erm...its relli too long to capture it down by pen (Birla Lakshmi Narayan Temple). Due to the religious nature, had to take off shoes & socks....imagine walking around bare-feeted on marble with temp of like 15C!!! Its like walking on ice....cold & slippery! OmG!!! I was skipping around....
Saw a fight among students (yeah...they were on an excursion)...it was relli violent...my goodness....this is a religious place! ok...not until a plump lady suddenly screamed like a loudhailer and lectured them (their teacher obviously). Expectedly, saw roadside barbers....
Now...the gross part of India...
At the market...saw cages of Chickens....a lady wanted one chicken...the butcher grabbed one alive...chop its neck. BAM!!! Blood gush out from head. The feathers were still flapping & struggling...the sharp blade shaves off the feathers after the soaking of hot H2O. Bird dies.
Hygiene is 'D'. Many tempting food stalls...bt are juz a breeding ground for any potential parasites. Messy structure...garbage everywhere...houses made of cow dung...yesh....the advantage is that mosquitoes will avoid the house...and the ouse doesnt smell after the dung dries up. No such things as closed toilets. Public cubicles. Yes...you can see men urinating juz like that! =x Yah....some areas have plants growing from the 'toilets'. Infact, you can do ur business anywhere you like. No one will bother....
We finally arrive at Jaipur Old city. This is the Pink City! The British painted it 'pink', yes...all houses, walls...everything 'pink'...hence the name...(erm...actually i dun noe why they call it pink...they seem red-brown to me).
Some place is really tooooooo risky to wander off by yourself. Arrived at the foot of a white marble temple....the name...erm...its relli too long to capture it down by pen (Birla Lakshmi Narayan Temple). Due to the religious nature, had to take off shoes & socks....imagine walking around bare-feeted on marble with temp of like 15C!!! Its like walking on ice....cold & slippery! OmG!!! I was skipping around....
Saw a fight among students (yeah...they were on an excursion)...it was relli violent...my goodness....this is a religious place! ok...not until a plump lady suddenly screamed like a loudhailer and lectured them (their teacher obviously). Expectedly, saw roadside barbers....
Now...the gross part of India...
At the market...saw cages of Chickens....a lady wanted one chicken...the butcher grabbed one alive...chop its neck. BAM!!! Blood gush out from head. The feathers were still flapping & struggling...the sharp blade shaves off the feathers after the soaking of hot H2O. Bird dies.
Hygiene is 'D'. Many tempting food stalls...bt are juz a breeding ground for any potential parasites. Messy structure...garbage everywhere...houses made of cow dung...yesh....the advantage is that mosquitoes will avoid the house...and the ouse doesnt smell after the dung dries up. No such things as closed toilets. Public cubicles. Yes...you can see men urinating juz like that! =x Yah....some areas have plants growing from the 'toilets'. Infact, you can do ur business anywhere you like. No one will bother....
We finally arrive at Jaipur Old city. This is the Pink City! The British painted it 'pink', yes...all houses, walls...everything 'pink'...hence the name...(erm...actually i dun noe why they call it pink...they seem red-brown to me).
The old city is partially encircled by a crenellated wall - major gates are Chandpol, Ajmer and Sanganeri. Broad avenues, more than 30m wide, divide the pink city into neat rectangles, each of which is the domain of a particular group of commercial activities.
Ok...this city is like a scene of 1950s....erm...very crowded...you can imagine! Crowds everywhere like ants! The whole entire street filled with people!!!!! OmG!!!! yes....lotsa stalls....pple peddling coldwear, veg, fruits, metal pots, ceramics...yah...all on the road...(imagine buying veg placed on roads)....at certain places...can see a huge herd of buffaloes...yes...poor thing! They arrrrreee so starved...they have to eat cardboard...imagine! i saw goats chewing the rubber handles of the motorbike! Elephants strolling around streets! Typical life in India! What a hectic & chaotic day!
Winter days end early...its dark by 6pm...beggars sleep along roadside...the roadlights are dim...no nightlife here....its no longer safe. Back to Rajputana Sheraton hotel..dinner buffet as usual....fish w/ black bean, mutton, potato wedges, lentils soup, cabbage, spaghetti & pasta, fried noodles, indian food, desserts, apple truffle, cakes, fruits....
Didnt dare to step out of hotel...its a danger zone....the guard will oso ask u the reason as well.....breathe some pollutants in 18C environment...yesh...stroll around the facilities they provide....Nitez! Its about 2400h by the time i got into bed! =p
Winter days end early...its dark by 6pm...beggars sleep along roadside...the roadlights are dim...no nightlife here....its no longer safe. Back to Rajputana Sheraton hotel..dinner buffet as usual....fish w/ black bean, mutton, potato wedges, lentils soup, cabbage, spaghetti & pasta, fried noodles, indian food, desserts, apple truffle, cakes, fruits....
Didnt dare to step out of hotel...its a danger zone....the guard will oso ask u the reason as well.....breathe some pollutants in 18C environment...yesh...stroll around the facilities they provide....Nitez! Its about 2400h by the time i got into bed! =p
+ [ Global-Jay] +
Cheers! =p
Jaipur, India
2356h (GMT+0530h)
We know life's hard, truth is hard, lies are hard, they are all hard to accept when they have been
found out, and i'm rushing history homework on the Abyissian Crisis about Italy and Abyssia going into war and that the League Of Nations cannot stop this from happening, and beacuse they are formed by means to stop war and
peace-keep the countries together, they have thus failed to achieve that. I think i tend to hold a class for history instead of telling you about me, i'm basically a what subject-realted lover (humanities) and thus
I am more analytical and critical about things, and likes to study about dead people, haha. lol. it's history what can you expect and also geography, it amazes me. I really like it alot, so what have you? Again to find this answer
you need to enter into your own reality and reflect
it's amazing. amzing how people change the way of things, like how I used to hate outdoors in Band
felt it was a complete waste of time, i've acquired to like it more, i guess people change, their thereotical means and applications in life just goes on into a new direction, and see things in another perspective, i guess- it's
all in the mind. It really amazes me how these comes into action, from someone so pessimistic has changed his own view of things, and thus my friend is scoring much better, being more optimisitc and not think of his old way of suicidal
thoughts, which are pretty daunting. and thus we need to see things, in another light, another perspective and another new way, to enable us to open up our minds, and make more new things, the new way it is.