We found a rickshaw driver to take us for food as we couldn't find anywhere which appealed to us in Karol Bagh, he actually drove us to Pahar Gang, to a cafe which was very busy with good food and service.
Then an interesting drive through markets one was selling only books, before arriving at the Red Fort built in Sandstone by Shah Jahan who started the construction in 1638, it is most impressive as one approaches from the incredibly busy road, there is a moat around it, which is dry. The entry is through the Lahore Gate which leads into a lovely arcade - the Chatta Chowk lined with arched shops - now all overflowing with items for tourists - this was where the hareem ladies shopped for gold, jewels, carpets, fabrics and other wonderful items, it is very wide and long with a court in the middle, there are rooms above the shops which I was told are for the army people who work in the fort.
When we left the arcade we were surprised to find wide open spaces and some lovely buildings between pathways and lawns, but much has obviously been destroyed, the British also took their toll and built barracks for their officers. The whole place has building and reconstruction work going on at present.
There is the Hall of Private Audiences with some lovely marble work, as well as the Hall of Public Audience, the Royal Baths and the Pearl Mosque which are all beautiful but open barren buildings which for me had no atmosphere, although it is a lovely relaxing place. On the day we visited it was very busy with many families and visitors from all over India who were on holiday, some of whom spoke to us and wanted us in their family photos to take back to places like Punjab.Next we visited Humayuns Tomb built before the Taj Mahal but there is a great similarity, it is constructed in red sandstone and white marble surrounded by lovely gardens and water channels. Inside below the dome is the tomb of Humayun, all around are rooms with arches built between rooms and with further rooms leading off, many of these rooms contain more tombs for his wives as well as other royals. It is a very quiet lovely place, there are other tombs within the complex which are of the same wonderful architectural style, as well as an area which housed the workers who built the tomb.
When we returned to rickshaw our driver started pushing us to visit some wonderful place which turned out to be a shopping emporium, went in to keep him happy and so that he would get his commission, then to Gandhi Smriti, rather annoyed as driver then said there was nowhere to park so we agreed to be back in half an hour, it is situated in a very quiet area so no possibility of finding another rickshaw! There was so much to see in this atmospheric place we were sorry to leave but decided to come back tomorrow.Back to Karol Bagh and I was not happy - we detoured for another shopping experience, how do these drivers find us! When we arrived back although we had agreed a price that morning the driver then tried to demand another 150% we walked away.That evening we decided to eat at Connaught Place and set off to pick up a rickshaw, after half an hour walking and looking we were fed up and hungry, but then met a man (from Calcutta) who stopped to chat to us - he then walked off and found us a rickshaw somehow! We paid over the odds but we were too hungry to care, it must be something to do with the Diwali holiday. We found The Embassy where we had an excellent meal and beer.
Afterwards we found a rickshaw and a price of 100rs was agreed he drove down the road then stopped and said it would be 200rs...........we jumped out he came after us...150rs....no...we walked back to some other taxis, we gave one driver the card with the hotel address which he then passed around but for some reason would not give back or agree a price.... I was hopping mad and snatched it (John annoyed with me) I am fed up with rickshaw drivers. Then one man offered to drive us back for 100rs! We seem to have been jinxed with rickshaw drivers this holiday. Went to bed with earplugs.
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