On Friday, 29th September 2023, we visited the India Gate in Delhi. It is a war memorial for the 84,000 soldiers of the Indian Army, who died between 1914 and 1921 in the First World War in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and the Far East, and the Third Anglo-Afghan War.

Then we were approached by a very nice Auto (tuk-tuk) driver, who promised us that he is not a scammer and would charge us 2,500 rupees to show us the sights around the Indian Parliament and Connaught Place, and afterwards he’d drop us off at our Homestay. We told him that we wanted to have a relaxing, late lunch at a recommended restaurant in Connaught Place, before we go back to the Homestay. So, we didn’t need a ride from him, taking us back to the Homestay. He then adjusted his price to 1,500 rupees and said that we could give him a tip afterwards if we liked his services. We agreed, and off we went.

He showed us the Presidential home (museum) of the 2nd Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri. He was Prime Minister from 1964 - 1966.

After that, he took us to the Indira Gandhi Memorial, the home of the 3rd Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, where she lived and was assassinated on 31st October 1984. She was the Prime Minster from 1966 - 1977 and again from 1980 until she was assassinated by 2 of her own security people in 1984. It was an incredibly emotional experience for both Shaun and myself.

Then he took us to the Gandhi Smriti museum, where Mahatma Gandhi lived and worked before his assassination on 30th of January 1948. We enjoyed reading all the quotes and things that he stood for and about his time in South Africa, where Gandhi lived for 21 years.

We drove past Prime Minister Modi’s Presidential residence, but you can’t see anything and apparently it is illegal to even take photos of the outside.

We had a yummy dinner at Kiara Restaurant, near the Homestay where we stayed, and had the most enjoyable conversation with the waiters there, about life in India.

All and all, it was a great day!!

On Saturday, 30th September 2023, a travel day, we didn't do much more than having lunch AGAIN at the Carnatic Cafe.

It was a sad goodbye to the wonderful owner of the Tatvamasi Homestay, Pankaj, and his staff, as we really enjoyed our stay there. And we had a GREAT time in Delhi. Lots of noise, dust and smells - a sensory overload - but, it was all worth it!!!

Later that afternoon we took a 3 hour train ride to our next travel destination, Jaipur in Rajasthan.