Sightseeing in Delhi

The last time I went sightseeing in Delhi, I was 15, but I remember it well - especially Himayun's tomb. I thought then that it was magnificent, and felt the same this time around.

We took auto-rickshaws and the amazing Delhi metro system to see the sights. The metro was an eye opener - clean, efficient,quiet, inexpensive and fast.

The first stop was Humayun's Tomb completed in 1572. It is undergoing a major sprucing up after its declaration as a world heritage site and it shows.

Himayun's tomb

 

Himayun's tomb

There were large groups of school girls visiting (I guess,

it was girl's day) and they mobbed Tami asking for photographs with her and to shake her hand.

Leaving Himanyun's tomb, we headed to Khan Market and found this cute, tiny & very good french

patisserie for a light lunch - Quiche, sandwich, a madeleine and a Paris Brest.

 Next was the Qutub Minar, a 238 foot high masonry tower that predates Himayun's tomb by about 400 years. I remember being awed by the size of the tower, but had forgotten about the elaborate carvings on its walls.

Hauz Khas is a reservoir (not pictured) that has tombs, a mosque and a madrasa (school) on its banks. These structures were built in the 14th century. There was an art class going on with students sketching in the monuments.

The final stop of the day was Safdarjang's tomb (or Salamander's tomb as Tami said). Built in the 18th century, you can see the influence of Humayun's tomb, but it doesn't have the same pleasing proportions.