One day in Delhi

*We interrupt this blog to cover Sophie’s family holiday in India for the benefit of the Dominy descendants. Sadly Dan was not able to come. I know that you will all miss his rugged good looks and photographic abilities as much as I do!*


I was joyously reunited with my family inside a gorgeous Delhi haveli. It was such a delight to be with them again and, as with most close relationships, it felt as though we’d never been apart at all. Soon after we were off on a whirlwind tour of Delhi.   We stirred a vat of curry at a Sikh temple sprinkled liberally with gold and then wove through the traffic to Old Delhi to marvel at the intricate carvings in an elaborate mosque, looking like Moonies while black birds circled dramatically overhead. 

 

Popeye's strength is required for effective stirring! and sister Alex looking glamourous at the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara temple.

  

Meet the team - at the back from left to right: Michael, sister Kate, my uncles Malcolm and Warwick and myself.  In the front: my mother Sharyn, sister Alexis and father Peter.  Above right and below is an imposing mosque.

  


  

We regretfully abandoned our glamourous robes in order to check out the narrow, bustling and chaotic Choux district where the women of Delhi are fitted for their wedding sari’s and jewellery. Entrancing culinary smells mingled with incense as we checked out tweenaged brides-to-be, some truly odd vegetables, tangled masses of power lines and intricate crafts.

 

  

Next we took a bicycle rickshaw to the Red Fort, a remnant of the Mughal empire.  We learnt about the turbulent English reign at the British museum (sometimes being partially of British descent is really embarrassing).

 
Those of us who were templed out stayed at the fort (below left) to check out the Indian museum and those of us who were not left to check out the magnificent Akshardham temple (below right).    
  

The temple is a spectacular spectacle- a mixture of the ancient and the modern where the traditionally detailed and delicate carvings are tastefully highlighted with LED and which features, amongst other wonders, an underground log flume ride in swan-shaped boats.  Like all of the most beautiful Indian places, it was no cameras allowed... sorry folks. 

  

We finished up with an enormous Indian feast (palak paneer how I’ve missed you!) and then fell comatose into our beds, a little like the gentleman below.  It is great to be back!