India, the golden triangle, and survival (hint, don't drive!) Part 1

Day 1 and Day 2

We did the infamous Golden Triangle Tour in India in 5 days.

ToursByLocals Guide: Pushpendra

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi and travel to Jaipur

When we got to DEL airport, we met Push at the exit. From there, we headed straight to old Delhi, and I was super glad we had a private tour booked. I mean, trying to handle that crazy traffic on zero sleep would've been a disaster for me.

As for the driving situation, it's a total free-for-all. Cars, tuk-tuks, and bikes are all over the place, and pedestrians might as well forget about crossing at a crossing because nobody stops. It's like you just have to find a gap and go for it. Surprisingly, I didn't see any accidents, so there must be some method to the madness.

Thankfully, our awesome guide and driver were with us the whole time, ensuring we made it through in one piece. Unfortunately, we didn't take many photos on Day 1 due to the rain.

Day 1 included:

✅ Sightseeing in Delhi, including Jama Masjid and a historic Sikh Temple

✅ Rickshaw ride through the markets

✅ Walk through the spice markets

✅ Masala chai from a street vendor

✅ Butter chicken for lunch

✅ Drive to Jaipur (and time for a nap)

Day 2 was in Jaipur:

✅ Albert Hall Museum

✅ Hawa Mahal

✅ Amber Fort

✅ Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace")

✅ City Palace

✅ Jantar-Mantar astronomical observatory

✅ Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan

Jaipur Marriott Hotel

We stayed at the Jaipur Marriott Hotel for two nights. Because of our Platinum status, we got a small upgrade to a room with a city view, extra points, complimentary breakfast, and a free happy hour in the evening, which included free drinks and appetizers. The evening appetizers were probably the best free food we've had at a Marriott, with three vegetarian and three non-vegetarian options.

Jaipur, the Pink City, is the capital of Rajasthan and has a population of 3.1 million. It was founded in 1727 and is a gateway to other tourist destinations in Rajasthan. Jaipur, India, earned the nickname "Pink City" because in 1876, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh I had most of the city's buildings painted pink to welcome Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Pink was seen as a symbol of hospitality back then, and the people of Jaipur are known for being very hospitable. It has two World Heritage sites, the Amer Fort and Jantar Mantar.

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