India journey was, a lifetime experienced. After touchdown at Indira Gandhi Airport, we were welcomed by Delhi’s noise outside the airport. The weather was warmer, nice one after 3 cold months in northeast Angleterre. A driver waited for us and chauffeured us to RCCI guesthouse.
Above: Din negotiating after our names were not in the list. The red shirt guy was our driver, minus english
Below: RCCI guest house.
Early next morning, we started the journey to Dehradun, which is only about 300 km from New Delhi. What we failed to understand though, why on earth this journey will take about 6 hours, albeit the distance. This kind of journey in Malaysia (equivalent to Kangar-Penang maybe) will take only 2 and half hours, 3 hours top. But, upon reaching the road, suddenly it all makes sense.
Innova, the mode of our transport.
We use the shortcuts, instead of highway, to avoid traffic. When I said highway, please don’t imagine the north-south highway, because highway in India means “a main road using by majority of people to go from A to B, despite the condition of the road”.
The above mentioned shortcut. We were in this kind of road for most of the time in the journey to Dehradun.
After half period of the journey, we headed back to the main road to fill our hungry stomach in a nice restaurant. This was what to be our first encounter with the legendary Indian food. I had typical Indian breakfast to fill my stomach.
Above: Typical Indian breakfast
Below: Dehradun town
Arrived at Dehradun half past two and had our lunch in the hotel. It is a nice hotel, with Himalayan (I guess) in the background. The place itself is 2000 ft above sea level, and they have tea plantations here. The town is bustling with daily activities and the sound of the horns from all types of vehicles. Here in India, you use your horns because (a) you wanted to tell others that I am overtaking you, so please move aside, or (b) I am coming in your direction, so please move aside, eventhough I am way over your side of the road. Amazing enough, during my stays, I only saw one minor accident involving motorcycles. That’s all. Everyone seems to be understood with the system.
Madhuban Hotel. If u look carefully, you can see the ridge in the background. I guess that is Himalayan, but, forgive me if I am wrong, I failed my geography
Lunch finished and done and we moved to Indian Institute of Petroleum, another 30 minutes of driving. This is a government institution, with interest lies on with all things associate with petroleum (and fuel). They did their research, and sold the technology to the parties interested. They put less interest in publication (opposite of academician/ university researches), but importantly, have a high regard on patenting. This is more like PRSS or MPOB in our country (I think).
Anyway, there goes our first day in India..
