Delhi Agra trip on The occasion of Sanchi's Wedding

1 Feb 2018, Occasion of Sanchi's wedding

Today we are traveling to Delhi for attending Sanchi's wedding on 4th Feb 2018 in Moradabad. So instead of just attending wedding and coming back, our plan is to visit Delhi and Agra on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Visiting Tajmahal was always my dream, and I am so excited to see the stunning beauty of Tajmahal.

So the trip started at 5.30PM from our home in Bangalore to catch the flight at 9.15PM. It takes around 45-60 min to reach Airport from our home when there is no traffic at all. Considering the Bangalore traffic one has to keep at least 1hr in buffer.

Reached airport well before time. Completed check-in and security check and had dinner at airport lounge. Flight operation got delayed by 10min. Finally started boarding and we got into the flight.

2Feb 2018
Landed at 12.15AM with the first glance of 'Desh ki Rajdhani, Delhi' from air. The temperature outside was 18°C. Metro starts at 4.30AM, so to be safe better to spend time at airport than going out and opt for private transport. For the first time I saw people sleeping on the floor at airport departure like the usual scene on railway station. This was little shocking for me.

At 5AM we came out and asked security guy for nearest metro station. It's Aero City metro station and we can use airport shuttle service to get there.

Orange line of Delhi metro is highly privileged. It has automatic, working safety doors at platform. The train is new one with all new digital automated indicators. You can get ticket to New Delhi metro station only from this station also passes are not available for this route.

We reached New Delhi station at orange line. Now we have to change the line to Yello to go to Karol bagh, where we booked the hotel. This is very tough to find right path to change the train on such a huge station. But it's very much self indicating. With the use of m-indicator Delhi, this became no hard task. Life has become so easy with digitisation. You just have to follow the color footprints on the floor where you want to go.

We did early check-in at 7.00AM with the cost of extra 500/-. Took some rest in the room as we had sleepless night at airport. After having enough rest, we planned to visit Cannought place and Akshardham temple. As planned, searched for the metro route.

Reached the India's powerful area, were the great Indian leaders run our country. Clean wide roads, disciplined traffic, high security, huge old historic constructions will define Indian treasure. We visited India gate first. It is constructed after world war in the memory of Indian soldiers who lost there lives in the war. Their names are imprinted on the walls of India gate and Amar Jyoti is always lighten up.

Then we came to see Rashtrapati bhawan, residence of Indian president. It doesn't have entry for civilians and has to see from outside. It is situated in 400acres. There are two big buildings just outside Rashtrapati bhawan, North block and South block. PMO Office is also in one of these buildings. I felt really proud visiting this place.

Then we went to visit Akshardham temple, great modern construction with ancient design. It is very peaceful here. It is temple of Swami Narayan. Then we went to visit Lal quila but the entry closes by 5.30PM. We didn't get entry. So we decided to explore chandani Chowk. It is so big that you can not explore without local help.

3 Feb 2018
Plan was to visit Agra. We already had booked tickets of Gatiman express. The train run Delhi-Agra without any stoppage. It is full AC train and serves good food. It starts from NIZAMUDDIN railway station at 8.10AM and reaches Agra by 9.40AM.

Reached Agra by 9.40AM. TAJ MAHAL is around 5Km fromAgra cantt railway station. Took auto from station to Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal has three gates, east, west, South. Only West gate has clock room. We kept the bag in clock room and came to South gate to avoid long queue at West gate. Meanwhile we hired guide also for 270/-

After getting entry tickets we entered Taj Mahal through South gate. This gate was also used by workers during it's constructions. Guide started to tell the history and the important thing about this great wonder of the world. After entering the main gate, I got that first glimpse of The Taj. I was awestruck seeing it, it is so so beautiful in it's milky white appearance.

As we had lot of time we decided to visit Red fort. After having lunch we went to Red fort. We hired a guide there for Rs. 200/-. There we got the proof of how rich and powerful Moghal Empire was.

2017 Year End Ooty Trip

It was long weekend as we had holiday on 1st Jan. So we planned the weekend trip to Ooty .

Sam travels from BLR-OOTY.

Boarded 10.30pm and reached Ooty at 8.30am, 1hr late as there was Traffic jam before reaching Coonoor.

Booked an only available Activa at AA Ooty travels on Commersial street for Rs. 700/- per day

Booked for 2 days... very limited options... Avenger at 1100/- per day. Filled the petrol at HP petrol and headed for the hotel.

On the way realize that scooty condition is very bad. Left break is failed. But the view at Ketty Valley made us to forget it... We are going to have very good time in Ooty and collect beautiful memories here...

Ketti Valley

Checked in Sagar holiday resorts at 10am on request for early check-in.

Had breakfast at resorts. and got ready to start our day trip.

Plan was to visit Doddabetta peak and then visit some spots within city...

Started the trip for Doddabetta peak...took some internal path suggested by Google instead of highway...very bad decision...

After some highs and lows, empty path, with continuous google navigation, managed to be on highway... Entry tkt Rs.10.

Reached Doddabetta peak after 40min ...

Spectacular view...Ooty on one side and Coonoor on other...

Took highway on return ... Enjoyed the ride...

Called AA Ooty travel for exchange of vehicle...he told to come after 2hr and promise to give some other good vehicle...

Went for lunch at A2B... Had PBM and roti... Pretty good...and Malai sandwich in deserts...

Went to visit St Stefan church...Was closed... Should have checked timing before... Opens at 5.30pm in the evening.

Went to Botanical garden...had nice walk and took rest for some time...

Went to exchange scooty again...but again disappointed with no vehicle and went back to hotel....too tired...
Came out of the room in the balcony....And this was the view... About to hug clouds....

Next day started at 9.30am after getting ready and having breakfast... again went to exchange scooty for the last time...the plan was to go to Pykara water falls...25km... needed good vehicle...

Didn't get other vehicle...so returned that Activa and searching for alternative now....Found one tourist bus going to Pykara route on Commercial street itself...got the seats for 300/- each...the day package includes Pykara dam Pykara boat house Pykara water falls and madhumalai national park...

Extra 40/- per head for parking

On the way saw golf course...huge area...some people were playing...

Then kamraj dam...good photography spot...he gave 15min to spend there...

Kamraj Dam

Then tree park .... Trees from which terpent oil is made.... beautiful landscape... Recorded some slow motions...nice time...

Then nine Mile shooting spot...view of the day...had some relaxed time... enjoyed beauty of nature...

Nine Mile Shooting Spot

Passed by Pykara dam...the guide said when they realeases water then only there will be water in the water fall...so we won't go to water fall instead vl go to boat house...I think he lied...

It is worth to visit water fall than boat house ...it is over expensive also...

1km walk required to reach water fall... But if no water, u have to come back disappointed.

Skipped water fall as we vl be late to reach national park which closes at 4pm.

On the way to madhumalai national park, had lunch at small restaurant after crossing Gublur. 

After lunch, entered the Madhumalai national park in the same tourist bus... We were looking the map online and tracking the route.... Half distance passed... We were thinking about when he vl drop us to get into the Safari Jeep...on the way saw some spotted deer, elephants... We saw in the map that national park is coming to end...we saw Thank you board also....came out of park and he stopped the bus...Some safari Jeep were there and private drivers... Bus driver told us to get into those Jeep in the group of 8...charges 150/- per person....okay, so safari started....I thought we are going inside the park again...tracking live on Google...he took us to buffer zone...

Saw again some spotted deer, antelope....it took around 1hr...

Started return journey....this was not the same route we came... Awesome views, high mountains, lots of hairpin bend...kind of adventure...

Reached Ooty railway station by 6.30pm...next day plan was to go to COONOOR by toy train nilgiri mountain railways...by online search, we came to know that the the train is at 9 am... online tkts were full...so went to railway station

To enquire about booking...station master said, for 9am train booking vl start 1hr before the train time...so u have to come at 7am to be in queue...if u r in first 10 people, u vl probably get the tkts....

It wasn't possible for us to come at 7am... so cancelled the plan... 

spent time on commercial street.... Found one Government Approved shop near A2B on Commercial street... Bought Ooty special chocolates and Chamaraj(famous local tea brand) Tea packet.... Found it really good after coming back.

Next day, Woke up with beautiful sunrise of 1 Jan 2018.... Called all dear once sitting in the hotel lawn.... Last day to see the nature at its best, polution free fresh air, fog not smog....

Finished brekfast and got ready.... Checked out hotel at 11pm... Went to Railway station to give a try for the 2pm train to coonoor... Long queue at ticket counter...We were at around 25... Not sure whether we will get tickets or not... Suddenly the booking for standing in the 12.15 train started and more than half of the queue went ... Now we were at 15 position... Now we were sure that we will get confirm ticket and will get seat to sit... 

Reservations started at 12.30pm... we got the confirm tickets... He informed us to come 30min before Train time....Had lunch at station canteen as we didn't have much time to go out and have lunch... Ate meal plate at canteen... Spend time in photography on small railway track... Suddenly guard came and told to stand in queue.... One queue for COONOOR and other for Mettupulam... We stood in Mettupulam queue totally unaware of it... After realizing, went to COONOOR queue... Train arrived on time... people got down first then Mettupulam queue boarded the train followed by COONOOR queue.... Train started and it actually fills like toy.... I wished we would have grabbed seat on right side... Many beautiful spots were on right side and had to peep on other side though I was sitting at window seat but on the left side... Overall good experience to sum up our Ooty trip... It's 1hr journey... Had very good lunch at hyderabadi biryani near railway station... And return to ooty by bus to catch our travels .... 

Reached Ooty at around 5pm... Travels was on 8.30pm...We went to Ooty lake which is around 1km from railway station... Cozy evening in the lap of mountains near lake and very very cold...Relaxed and summoned our trip....

Reached Bangalore at 4am in the morning full of memories that will cherish our mind and feel refreshed.... Now ready to start another year with the many more hopes in the eyes...Let's make this year even more happy and successfull...