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India's War Memorial And Humayun's Tomb

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Monkeys cross the path to the President's home

Feeling on top of the world after my Bukhara experience, I forced myself to walk out of the luxurious Maurya Sheraton. I deferred to my taxi driver at this point, and he drove me around the President's house and government buildings. We then drove east toward India's War Memorial, a large arch in line with the President's home in much the same the White House and other memorials are laid out in Washington, DC.

The imposing India War Memorial

My time running low, we headed to Humayun's Tomb, the precursor to the Taj Mahal. The complex on which it was situated necessitated an hour's time to wander around. In particular, I appreciated the recent restoration work of the gardens and water channels surrounding the main tomb as I found the vivid green setting beautiful, and pleasantly peaceful.

Humayun's Tomb

After touring the tomb, we drove past the Lotus Temple, which was unfortunately closed on Mondays. I asked to be dropped off at Nehru Place, a large shopping area within walking distance of Neil's house, and which seemed to be focused on computers and electronics. It was a bit rougher around the edges than the similar centers I'd visited in Hong Kong and Chengdu.

Gardens at Humayun's Tomb

As I've seen all over the areas I've traveled in India, the poor seem to be able to sleep out in the open amidst the grime and crowds. When I was taking that early-morning rickshaw ride to the Amritsar train station a few days ago, I was surprised to see a lot of people simply sleeping on the concrete road medians.

Lotus Temple

I walked to Neil's house, though traffic delayed his arrival by more than an hour.  Keen to complete a recently received dare (#12) to eat vindaloo in India, we set off in search of the intensely spicy Goan dish on my last night in the country.

I'll report on the results soon.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Chris says

    Dave, you are, quite simply, the man. Thank you for posting and keeping us "cubicle dwellers" dreamin'

    Keep posting...please...

    -Chris

    • Dave says

      Hey Chris - you're welcome. Given I was a cubicle dweller before leaving, I know just how you feel. I don't know how I'll be able to go back!

  2. Chris says

    Dave, you are, quite simply, the man. Thank you for posting and keeping us "cubicle dwellers" dreamin'

    Keep posting...please...

    -Chris

    • Dave says

      Hey Chris - you're welcome. Given I was a cubicle dweller before leaving, I know just how you feel. I don't know how I'll be able to go back!

  3. Kango Suz says

    I'm so bummed that you didn't make it into the Lotus temple. Bahai temples are some of my favorite places in the world- so quiet and serene. I used to go to the one outside Chicago all the time just to have some peace and quiet. Great photo though!
    -Suz

  4. Kango Suz says

    I'm so bummed that you didn't make it into the Lotus temple. Bahai temples are some of my favorite places in the world- so quiet and serene. I used to go to the one outside Chicago all the time just to have some peace and quiet. Great photo though!
    -Suz

  5. bathmateus says

    Thank you for your posting. I really enjoyed it.
    Bathmate