Restrictions to visiting Tutankhamuns Tomb

A DAY IN DELHI

Fancy a whirlwind tour of India’s capital? Gemma Church, Operations Executive, tells us how she would spend the day…

A day in Delhi

Mention Delhi to most people who have travelled to India and they will probably tell you to fly in, see Old Delhi, possibly the Qutab Minar - if you have time and move on. Mention it to someone who has never visited and their first comment will be ‘watch out for Delhi Belly’. These were the comments I received when I first told people that I had just signed a two year contract to work in New Delhi. Nearly three years later, having got to know the Indian capital better than most, there is certainly more to Delhi than may first meet the eye.

For me the perfect start would be breakfast at the Imperial Hotel on Janpath. Other hotels may offer breakfasts of a similar quality, or even better, but the beautiful colonial architecture is the reason for my choice. Enter through a pathway of tall king palms, sit in a comfy rattan chair, look out on to the Imperial lawns… and imagine you have gone back to the days of the old Raj.

Next take a tuk tuk to Humayun’s Tomb - a quieter, more peaceful Taj Mahal, surrounded by formal gardens. Explore the building, observe the intricate detail and enjoy having such a spectacular sight all to your self.

By this point, the day will be getting hot and you’ll be in need of some shade. Head over to the Craft Museum, a calm place, that’s good for a wonder. My favourite section is the top floor, where you can find the most amazing selection of fabrics and saris from all over India, presented in such a way that you feel like you are in an art gallery. The shop is also worth a visit, here you can find contemporary handicrafts from all over India, at set prices.

Time for some shopping at Khan Market, where all ex-pats in Delhi get their every day needs. Visit Anokhi and FabIndia, for fashionable Indian clothes and home-wares, buy mangoes from a fruit shop and have lunch at the Turtle Café and Bookshop.

Whilst at Khan Market go to one of the magazine stands and buy a copy of Time Out Delhi and find out what’s going on in the capital. If you enjoy art, a sure bet is the Habit Centre on Lodi Road. This huge modern building houses the offices of many charities, but also has a couple of galleries and some auditoriums. If you are lucky (as I was on my last trip) you might get to see some classical Indian dancing. Whilst you are walking around the Habitat centre, don’t forget to look up – not only will you see noisy ring-necked parakeets flying around, but you’ll also see huge bee hives hanging from the building.

Seeing as you are on Lodi Road, you should go for a walk around Lodi Gardens. In the midst of picnicking families, children playing cricket, power walkers and canoodling couples are some stunning 15th and 16th century tombs, set amongst beautiful gardens. It’s also a great place for bird watching, a popular haunt for horn-bills, owls and the golden oriole.

After your walk it should be about time for an afternoon drink, and no where is as convenient as the classy Lodi Garden Restaurant. Sit on a secluded sofa, and sip a cocktail.

Time for some more culture. The Hope Project, an NGO, has just started running guided walks around the predominately Muslim area of Nizamuddin. Led down narrow alleys by local teenagers you will be shown a glimpse of this historic and hectic neighbourhood. If you happen to be there on a Thursday at around sunset you will hear the sound of the ‘qawwali’, a form of Sufi devotional music.

For dinner I suggest you get a tuk tuk to Connaught Place. On the Inner Circle is a little bar called Volga. A place that hasn’t changed in years, Volga is popular with Indian men for its cheap domestic alcohol. In fact, it’s the only place where you’ll be given your own personal bucket of ‘rocks’ (ice) with your rum and coke. Sit on the maroon velvet chairs, surrounded by gold framed mirrors and large dusty chandeliers knowing that your every whim will be taken care of by the old waiter with glasses who always serves the tourists! When you’re ready to eat, finish of your perfect day in Delhi by ordering a plate of butter chicken and a naan bread.