The restaurant experience was annoying. I guess guides there have to be careful not to poison their clients, even accidentally, and if they don’t know what you want will take the safest option. We have kind of the reverse problem with Indian clients 🙂 This year we have a family of Indians coming who clearly don’t believe I can organise a suitable vegetarian meal in a French restaurant and are bringing their own picnic when they tour with us. It’s a pity, because they will miss out on experiencing a typical village auberge whose clientele is almost entirely local and who are perfectly capable of providing a proper vegetarian meal (with some guidance from me).
The elephant temple looks fantastic. Such a shame you couldn’t take even a few photos but I can see the rational behind forbidding it.
Rosemary Kneipp
March 3rd, 2016 at 9:09 am
Oh dear, what a pity about your Indian clients!
Yes, I too was very disappointed about the photos …
You’ll only find rather loud nouveau-riche Indians in the vicinity of the Meridien Hotel; it’s not a very interesting area but tourists feel ‘safe’ – except of course from over-charging. Elsewhere you could get a good lunch for two for €5-6. There are a few authentic restaurants right in Connaught Place but they’re not ones that guides will take you to. One of the best in Delhi is Karims in Old Delhi, real Moghul cooking, near the Jama Masjid. It’s water that’s the main cause of tummy upsets, more of a risk out in the country; just be a little wary of raw vegetables, tempting though they look after the ‘spice’. It’s true that traditional craftsmanship continues to an astonishing degree, though these days it’s more imitative than inspired. Very little of that survives in Delhi, where Muslim ‘invaders’ destroyed most of the original Hindu sites.
Rosemary Kneipp
March 3rd, 2016 at 9:08 am
Thank you, Stephen, for suggesting Karims in Old Delhi. We’ll try and go there on our way back from Australia. It was so disappointing to be taken to a cocktail bar of all places!
The Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple is simply amazing. I’ve just checked out their web page. Wonderful that the artisan skills have not been lost.
The street looked quite clean on your rickshaw ride.
Rosemary Kneipp
March 3rd, 2016 at 9:06 am
Yes, the temple was really interesting. I didn’t find Delhi as dirty as Chennai on my previous visit.
the mosque much beautiful over all. Naan is very good decision to eat (especially garlic naan,, so tasty), but Indian food has much spices which sometimes not suitable for other people, also they add much oil on every dish. But i like India 🙂
Thank you for taking us to India. The diversity of its people and geography, as well as its history, architecture and vibrant colours are captivating. India has been on my bucket list for many years now!
Rosemary Kneipp
March 9th, 2016 at 9:57 am
Thank you for your comment. Stay tuned for India part 2 in a week’s time.
[…] in Behror. When we get inside we see it’s a tourist restaurant but at least it’s not a cocktail bar. We choose dal (lentils), a mixed vegetable dish, naan (that delicious oven-baked leavened flat […]
The restaurant experience was annoying. I guess guides there have to be careful not to poison their clients, even accidentally, and if they don’t know what you want will take the safest option. We have kind of the reverse problem with Indian clients 🙂 This year we have a family of Indians coming who clearly don’t believe I can organise a suitable vegetarian meal in a French restaurant and are bringing their own picnic when they tour with us. It’s a pity, because they will miss out on experiencing a typical village auberge whose clientele is almost entirely local and who are perfectly capable of providing a proper vegetarian meal (with some guidance from me).
The elephant temple looks fantastic. Such a shame you couldn’t take even a few photos but I can see the rational behind forbidding it.
Oh dear, what a pity about your Indian clients!
Yes, I too was very disappointed about the photos …
You’ll only find rather loud nouveau-riche Indians in the vicinity of the Meridien Hotel; it’s not a very interesting area but tourists feel ‘safe’ – except of course from over-charging. Elsewhere you could get a good lunch for two for €5-6. There are a few authentic restaurants right in Connaught Place but they’re not ones that guides will take you to. One of the best in Delhi is Karims in Old Delhi, real Moghul cooking, near the Jama Masjid. It’s water that’s the main cause of tummy upsets, more of a risk out in the country; just be a little wary of raw vegetables, tempting though they look after the ‘spice’. It’s true that traditional craftsmanship continues to an astonishing degree, though these days it’s more imitative than inspired. Very little of that survives in Delhi, where Muslim ‘invaders’ destroyed most of the original Hindu sites.
Thank you, Stephen, for suggesting Karims in Old Delhi. We’ll try and go there on our way back from Australia. It was so disappointing to be taken to a cocktail bar of all places!
The Great Mosque is quite impressive.
The Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple is simply amazing. I’ve just checked out their web page. Wonderful that the artisan skills have not been lost.
The street looked quite clean on your rickshaw ride.
Yes, the temple was really interesting. I didn’t find Delhi as dirty as Chennai on my previous visit.
the mosque much beautiful over all. Naan is very good decision to eat (especially garlic naan,, so tasty), but Indian food has much spices which sometimes not suitable for other people, also they add much oil on every dish. But i like India 🙂
[…] ← Delhi Delights […]
Thank you for taking us to India. The diversity of its people and geography, as well as its history, architecture and vibrant colours are captivating. India has been on my bucket list for many years now!
Thank you for your comment. Stay tuned for India part 2 in a week’s time.
[…] in Behror. When we get inside we see it’s a tourist restaurant but at least it’s not a cocktail bar. We choose dal (lentils), a mixed vegetable dish, naan (that delicious oven-baked leavened flat […]
[…] Delhi Delights […]