New Delhi Day 2 - Tuk Tuk Tour

We slept in but got up in time for breakfast at the hotel.  The omelette was more like a crepe than an thick omelette.  But it still tasted like eggs.  There was no coffee readily available.  So, we drank milk tea - chai.  Some naan to go with the omelette and we were done for breakfast.  Carla tried something that looked a bit like tapioca and said it tasted pretty good.  Hopefully, tomorrow's breakfast will be better at the hotel we move to when we join the Gate 1 tour group.  We checked out just before noon and took a taxi to our Gate 1 hotel, The Park.  It is in an up-scale neighborhood and security was present at the driveway gate, the door and the lobby.  Our bags were scanned just like at the airport and we walked through the metal detectors as well.  Once inside the lobby, it was like any other nicer hotel.  Check in was quick and easy.  Our bags appeared shortly after we entered our room which was a bit better than what we left behind at the Aman Continental.  Within an hour of our arrival, we were off on our way to see more of New Delhi.  The day's adventure was beginning.

Ugrasen Ki Baoli - 14th Century Step Well

Brian suggested we walk to the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is the Presidential Residence (formerly Viceroy's House) which is where the Indian President lives sort of like our White House.  It soon became evident that this was not within easy walking distance.  So, we flagged down two tuk tuks the drivers of which agreed to take us there for 50 rupees per tuk tuk.  They dropped us off at point near the Rashtrapati Bhavan where security had set up road blocks at the foot of a hill.  After a bit of haggling, we ended up paying each of the tuk tuk drivers 100 rupees (obviously, we misunderstood they meant a 100 rupees per tuk tuk not 100 rupees for the two).  The Ministry of Defense lined either side of the street and we were able to walk about a block closer to the Presidental Residence before being stopped by another security gate.  We could proceed no further and ended our stroll about 1/4 mile short of our objective.  We then decided to try to "walk around the block" to get to the Residence.  Upon reaching the Indian Parliament Building, it was obvious this was not going to work.  So, once again, we jumped on a couple of tuk tuks to get to our next tour site, the Laxmi Narayan Birla Mandir, a Hindu Temple.

Rashtrapati Bhavan - Presidential Residence

We departed in two tuk tuks and along the way the drivers offered to provide us a day tour of important sites in New Delhi for only 100 rupees.  Dwayne read that this was a common scam in India and at the end of the day the driver demands more than the 100 rupees.  Our tuk tuks became separated in traffic.  Dwayne and Carla arrived at the Laxmi Narayan Birla Mandir temple first and gave the driver 50 rupees as agreed.  The driver protested and rather than make a big issue over 50 rupees, Dwayne forked over a 100 rupee note and told the driver we'd no longer need his services.  We waited about 10 minutes and Brian and Janet still did not appear.  Dwayne called Brian and left a message that we were heading into the temple.  They eventually caught up with us in the temple.

The Birla Mandir was built between 1933 and 1939.  It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939.  Photos are not allowed in the temple.  To learn more, go to the following link:

Upon leaving the temple, we were beset upon by tuk tuk drivers.  Brian had his tuk tuk driver wait for him and Janet.  The tuk tuk driver convinced us we would all fit into his vehicle and he'd show us around town.  He took us to the embassy district and dropped us off at a very exclusive restaurant for lunch.  The wait to be seated was almost an hour and we really didn't want to spend a fortune on lunch.  We left and told him the wait to be seated was too long and to take us to someplace less expensive.

We ended up at a nice place which was full of locals and displaying a TripAdvisor decal in the window.  We ordered our meal and it was very tasty until the bill arrived.  We ended up paying 3,025 rupees ($48) for our meal which was more than double our anticipated amount.  We ordered full portions and were served twice as many half portions but charged the full portion price for each.  Another tuk tuk driver scam - take you to a restaurant that over charges tourists and gives the driver a cut.  Once again, we paid up and left with full bellies and a sour taste in our mouth.

First Tuk Tuk - "So, How Much Does He Want?"

The driver then took us to see the house in which Mahatma Gandhi spent his final days.  Entry was free.  We made a quick walk through the house and didn't stay long knowing we'd be there the next day as part of our Gate 1 tour. 

Mahatma Gandhi's Last Place of Residence Before His Death

From there, the driver took us to an interesting site which most tourists never see.  It was the Ugrasen ki Baoli which is an ancient step well.  The current structure dates back to the 14th Century A.D.


We were pretty much ready to head back to the hotel.  We made one more stop along the way to get some beer and spirits which we planned to consume at poolside upon returning to the hotel.  The tuk tuk driver made a quick stop for Dwayne and Brian to procure the provisions.  In the process of retrieving a can of beer from the top shelf of the refrigerator, a can fell off the shelf and tumbled onto a beer bottle on the bottom shelf shattering the bottle and sending beer onto the floor and bottom shelf of the refrigerator.  The explosion caught everyone's attention.  One of the shopkeepers came running over put his finger in the air pointed down at Dwayne and yelled to the fellow at the cash register.  No need for further interpretation, Dwayne just bought a bottle of beer.  We were soon on our way, after paying for our beverages.  The hotel was only a couple of minutes further down the road.

Monkey Beer - Each Can A Different Brew

Upon arriving at the hotel, Dwayne and Brian quickly left the tuk tuk and let the women dicker with the driver to settle the bill.  They wanted to be generous because the driver was such a nice guy.  They felt he deserved more than 100 rupees for his services.  They felt 500 rupees would be generous.  The tuk tuk driver scoffed at the 500 and said he served us well and should get 1500 rupees.  Janet and Carla together didn't have that much and came to Dwayne for more money.  Cold- hearted Dwayne gave them enough to pay the driver 1000 rupees and told the girls that was it.  Pay the man and walk away.  The tuk tuk driver offered to take Janet to an ATM to get more money.  Wisely, she said she didn't have an ATM card, gave him the 1000 rupees and walked away.  The driver shrugged and drove off.  Hosed again.  It happened just as they said it would in the "Tips for Travelers" section of the tour guide book and the YouTube videos.  But he was such a nice guy.

Our plan to enjoy our beverages poolside came to an abrupt end as a wedding party had reserved the entire pool area starting at 6 p.m.  We arrived at 5:58.  So, it was up to our room for drinks.  We laughed at our folly but decided it was still a cheap day.  Less than $100 spent for a good meal and a day on the town.  $25 each for fun and an education you can't find anywhere but in India (and Thailand and other exotic places).  Our party ended at 8:30.  It was another great day and a learning experience in India.