The Indian Adventure begins

Jan 31st 2019

I left a very cold U.K. and 8.30hrs later landed early morning in a relatively warm 15c New Delhi. I have to say that the immigration experience was nearly as bad as getting into the USA..! A  very officious young man in a suit shouted instructions as he tried to organise the incoming Jumbo Jet hoards. Having got through and found my bags I headed for the exit. Luckily in amongst the heaving throng of placard wavers I managed to pick out my little man who had been sent to meet me and take me to the hotel 👍 

Everything you’ve heard about driving in India is true!! The traffic is crazy; no rules, everybody is on their horn, every car has a dent .. but strangely it all seems to happen and everyone gets where they’re going..just like ants.

Arrived at the hotel and met up with Bo from Chicago for the first time, then off for a shower and a quick nap. Hotel was OK and situated in the jewellery quarter; several of the bigger stores had a guard on the door .. this one carried a double barrelled shotgun! 

Went for a walk around the busy streets and market stalls.. it’s all totally crazy, crowded with people and I have to say very dirty, worse than anywhere I’ve ever been. 

Here’s a short clip which will give you the idea. 

Bo had disappeared somewhere so I took a TukTuk and asked to be taken to a nice bar/ restaurant. After driving halfway round Delhi we finally found somewhere.. the deal agreed was that he would wait for me the take me to a nice shopping centre later then back to the hotel, all for 50 rupees (just over 50p) Bo woke up and came to join me. After several beers we decided to try another bar. 2 bars later it was hotel time; our driver was still waiting, 8 hours after the start. He’d asked for 50 rupees but I gave him 100 and he seemed very happy..it’s a crazy place India!!

We went for a quick walk round before bed as the market was closing. We got collared by. guy selling sunglasses and watches.. Bo finally gave in and bought a pair of “Raybans” for about $5::check out the photo of his new purchase 🤣

Finally Fred turned up from the airport so we had a couple more beers and then off to bed .. we’d made it to India and were ready to ride 👍

Next morning at 9 we set off by car for Mandawa to pick up the bikes..no point in trying to ride in the crazy Delhi traffic! It’s a 5 hr drive and it was foggy and cold as we sped through Delhi traffic.. our driver was really going for it. The whole road journey was a surreal experience watching the antics of our driver and others;overtake where you like when you like..just use your horn! One stretch of road was a single lane strip of decaying tarmac with rough dirt and sand either side. The idea it seemed was to leave it as late as possible to swerve and hope the oncoming vehicle’s driver would chicken out and run off onto the rough stuff.. why slow down when it can all be done at 60mph 😱 Somehow we made it to Mandawa and our hotel, previously a wealthy merchants Haveli which had been renovated. When we arrived we saw the bikes all lined up waiting; nice shiny black Royal Enfield Bullet 500s