Back at Delhi

Day 5

March 8, 2012

New Delhi

Of all the weeks available in a year to visit India, Marlon chose this particular week so that we can participate at the Holi festival or Festival of Colors. No doubt he was after the opportunity to capture great photos of the festival, where in people play pranks at each other by hurling colored powder and water. If only we knew better, we would have visited India some other time instead. Most attractions were closed this day (it was disappointing not to see Red fort) and tourists were advised to stay indoor. We actually felt hostaged inside Beaufort Inn as there were kids outside throwing colored stuffs at passers-by. I ended up checking office emails on my vacation.

Photo taken by Marlon

It was already afternoon when we decided to risk getting pranked and went out for lunch (I ran going to the taxi cab and ensured all windows were closed after I got in). We splurged a little as it was our last day. We ate at Fifty9 Radisson Blu Marina at Connaught Place.

Succulent Burrah Kebab

Afterwards, we went to the only attraction open during the holiday - Akshardham, a Hindu temple complex. Completed in 2005 after 5 years, inside the temple are intricately-carved pillars, nine domes, beautiful murals, and grand statues. The place was breathtaking and it was unfortunate that cameras were not allowed in the complex. Not surprisingly, we were done with the complex in less than an hour. No doubt we would have stayed thrice as long if we had cameras with us.

And that concluded our India trip. Later that night, we took the overnight flight back to Kuala Lumpur and we were back in Manila on  Friday night, 30,000 PHP poorer...