Map of the way from Paharganj to New Delhi metro station with pointers (click to enlarge; directions below):

Map taken from wikimapia.com

Directions: from the main entrance to Main Bazar go to New Delhi Railway Station by crossing Chelmsford Road (on some maps marked as Qutub Road, probably that’s the same street) and go inside the Railway Station building to its right side. There’ll be stairs that lead up to the bridge over the railways. At the other end of the bridge go downstairs and exit the Railway Station. New Delhi metro station should be noticeable from there. This is the metro sign:

Photos of New Delhi Railway Station:

(photo source)

Inside the bridge:

(source)

Paharganj is an area in the center of Delhi which is popular with backpackers and low budget tourists. Basically it is a huge market and it is literally packed with relatively cheap and very cheap hotels. Its main street is called Main Bazaar, however hotels are everywhere else.

Paharganj has a good location because it’s right next to New Delhi Railway Station, as well as metro station. It’s also often shown as something good that it’s a few minutes of walk from Connaught Place. Connaught Place is a circular area with radial streets full of branded Indian and non-Indian boutiques, different kinds of shops and many restaurants for any budget and taste, so that’s mainly a place for shopping and eating. But for staying near Connaught Place, I heard there’re cheap hotels too for example in Janpath which is much closer than Paharganj.

Back to Paharganj description. It seems like Paharganj combines in itself almost every negative opinion about India. It’s very noisy and chaotic, extremely dirty, with lots of garbage, cows roam through its very crowded streets, sales people seem to try to cheat more (though there can be found decent people as well). Places to eat there look so terrible that can even make one lose any desire to eat at all. It is a stress simply to be there so I strongly don’t recommend it for anyone visiting India for the first time or who is sensitive or not an experienced traveller. It’s definitely worth searching for some nicer cheap area in Delhi or for that occasion it’s better not to save on good impressions.

At the same time there’s everything for the tourists. There’re lots of travel agencies, but don’t know if any reliable. There’s no any problem with finding where to exchange money. There’re many Internet cafes and Internet is very cheap. Everybody speaks English. It’s possible to buy there many things for the travel needs, like guidebooks, sleeping bags and other stuff, also souvenirs, clothes, cosmetics, food, etc. As a rule bargaining is only welcomed.

Closest to Paharganj metro station is called New Delhi and it’s located behind the New Delhi Railway Station, which is why might be a little hard to find. But it’s simple to ask anybody to show direction. Metro is preferable to rikshaws or walking cause it’s faster, cheaper, less tiring and even enjoyable. Connaught Place is next station, it’s called Rajiv Chowk. It’s also easy to get from there to Kashmere Gate Inter-state Bus Terminal by metro, station is called Kashmere Gate.

Biotique soaps are real pleasure to use, they have a comfortable shape, with flat bottom and round top which makes them easier to hold. There’re 4 different soaps, in addition to the ones I reviewed there’re also Almond and Himalayan Plum soaps. They come in 150 g and 50 g bars.

Naturally Orange Peel Pure Vegetable Cleanser

Net Wt. 150 g

Ayurvedic recipe

Skin energiser and exfoliator

FRUITS OF THE HIMALAYAS

What it says: “This is a unique Body Cleanser with grains. The enzymes contained in the Orange Peel remove dead epithelial cells and deep cleanse the skin. The rubbing action helps speed up natural cell renewal leaving the skin fresher and younger looking. A fine natural base is prepared and extracts of orange and its peel are skillfully added. Regular use makes the body free from skin problems like ringworm, scabies and dermatitis infection. It leaves skin clean and healthy looking. It is hypo-allergenic and clinically tested.

Content:

• Citrus Aurantium Ext. (Santra Chhilka Kwath) 2%
• Sapindus Trifoliatus Ext. (Ritha Kwath) 1.5%
• Juglans Regia Grains (Akhrot Dana) 1.5%
• Melia Azadirachta Ext. (Neem Chhal Kwath) 0.2%
• Curcuma Longa Ext. (Haldi Kwath) 0.1%
• Cleanser Base 84.0%
• Purified Water (Parishrut Jal) to make QS

Ayurvedic Medicine (For external use only). This is not a cosmetic product. It has therapeutic properties.”

Review: I love it cause it doesn’t have slightest flaw and it’s absolutely great. It is an orange colored soap and it smells like orange and lasts really long. It has very small exfoliating grains which appear while using and they act like gentle scrub. Here is the picture of it in real size:

Naturally Basil And Parsley Cleanser Pure Vegetable Cleanser

Net Wt. 150 g

A transparent body cleanser for normal skin

FRUITS OF THE HIMALAYAS

What it says: The Cleanser making involves the blending of traditional Ayurvedic formulae. Recommended by doctors for people with Sensitive skin. Formulated with Coconut oil and Basil & Parsley extracts. Basil & Parsley cleanser is for skin that needs extra care. There are no harsh additives, dyes or hardening agents. It is hypoallergenic and clinically tested. It leaves skin clean and healthy looking. Regular use makes the body free from skin problems like ringworm, scabies and dermatitis infection.

Content:

• Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi Patra) 0.5%
• Petroselinum Sativum (Pudina Patra) 0.5%
• Crocos nucifera oil (Nariyal Tail) 28.0%
• Ricinus communis oil (Erand Tail) 3.5%
• Triticum Vulgaris oil (Gehun Tail) 0.1%
• Saccharum officinarum (Ikshu Ras) 6.0%
• Purified Water (Parishrit Jal) to make QS

Ayurvedic Medicine (For external use only). This is not a cosmetic product. It has therapeutic properties.”

Manufactured & Marketed by: Bio Veda Action Research (P) Ltd.

Review: This soap is transparent and green. Seemed that it ended a bit faster than Orange Peel soap, but it’s also really good.

Generally speaking Lakme skin care range products seem to boast too much for what they actually do. Quite ordinary cosmetics, unreasonably overpriced. All 3 products that I’ve tried have a nice smell, otherwise nothing much special about it.

Strawberry Silk Splash Face Wash

What it says: “The cleansing power of Strawberries is now available for you. Presenting Lakme Strawberry Silk Splash, a face wash with Real Strawberry Extracts that gently wash away the dirt from the innermost pores, leaving your skin fresh and tingling.

How it works: Strawberry Extracts polish your skin to remove dead skin and to wash away dirt from deep within. It cleans without drying, leaving your skin soft and silky smooth. The Fresh Strawberry fragrance lingers on for hours and hours.

Results: Clean, soft and fresh skin.

Usage: Use twice daily or as often as required. Gently massage with fingertips on forehead, nose and chin. Rinse thoroughly. Ideal for all skin types and can be used round the year. For best results, apply Strawberry Silk Creme for soft, moisturised skin.

Key Ingredients: Strawberry (Fragaria Chiloensis) Extract, Glycerin, Menthol.”

Review: This face wash is a red gel with small red indissoluble particles (polymer?) and therefore should be kept away from the eyes. Texture of the gel is quite thick and it’s better to mix it with little water before washing face. Due to menthol content it gives a fresh tingling sensation which is not a very good thing for sensitive skin. Using this face wash causes discomfort and feeling of dehydration though it claims that it doesn’t dry the skin, so definitely it’s not ideal for all skin types.

Strawberry Silk Creme

What it says: “A rich soft cream that pampers the skin with the luscious fragrance of fresh strawberries leaving it soft and delicately perfumed for hours. A combination of real strawberry extracts and active moisture balance ensure the optimal level of moisture for your skin. It is fortified with UV filters to protect against skin damaging elements. Offers visibly soft, fragrant skin that glows with health.”

Review: Apart from lovely smell and pale pink color, there’s nothing worthy about this cream. It’s just so-so.

Peach Milk Moisturiser with Vitamin E

What it says: “Natural peach milk easily soaks into and softens your skin. The goodness of peach milk makes your skin radiant and glow like never before. Vitamin E conditions and protects against skin-damaging elements to give soft and radiant skin.

Usage: Gently massage on your face, neck and arms, morning and night, after using Lakme’s Cleansing Range. For all skin types. Suitable for all seasons.

Results: Soft and radiant skin

Key Ingredients: Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E Acetate), Tocopherol (Vit. E), Peach (Prunus Persica) Extract.”

Review: Light liquid moisturiser with a subtler (than strawberry products) perfumey smell. Good for hands as it absorbs fast and leaves the skin well moisturised and soft.

Examples of restaurant menus. Prices in Rupees.

Snacks

Thali

Foot Long

Vegetarian

Tax is charged extra. Reg is Regular Flavours, PM – Premuim Flavour, DM – Delicious Moments. Chocolate Mousse Royale is my fav.


Premuim Flavours

Documents

• Flight tickets
• Bank cards
• Insurance
• Passport/ID
• Spare passport-size photographs
• All permits and other documents if applicable
• Photocopies of all vital documents
• Guidebooks, maps
• Hotel contact details, phone numbers

Basic checklist of things to pack:

• Toiletries
  • toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap, hand towel, shampoo, conditioner, cotton buds, facial wipes, paper tissues, toilet paper, deodorant, nailclipper, lipbalm, mirror
• First-aid kit
  • syringes, needles, disposable gloves, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, bandages, band-aids, surgical adhesive tape, sterile gauze, cotton-wool buds, cotton-wool, cord pads, sticking plasters, alcohol, disinfectant
• Medicines
  • personal prescriptions
  • for diarrhea (Imodium, Lomotil) and an upset stomach (Gelusil), indigestion tablets,
  • for cough and cold, such as pseudo-ephedrine tablets (Sudafed) and cough syrups (Tossex, Linctus Codeine),
  • pain-relieving medicines, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin (Crocin, Disprin),
  • antibiotic ointments (Neosporin),
  • for preventing motion sickness, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and antinausea drug promethazine (Phenergam),
  • anti-infective ointments like cetrimide,
  • dusting powder for feet against fungal attack,
  • antacids
  • antimalarials (dependant on destination)
• Camera equipment and film
• A small handy torch (flashlight)
• Moneybelt and/or neck pouch
• Waterproof money holder (“Surfsafe”)
• Wallet
• Padlocks and chain
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen lotion (high SPF)
• Mosquito repellent
• Towels
• Multi-purpose knife
• Watch
• Handkerchief
• Notebook and pens
• Sewing kit
• Scissors
• Rain gear/umbrella
• Water bottle
• Water purifier or purification tablets if visiting remote locations where bottled water is unavailable
• Binoculars
• Lightweight bed sheet
• Small bag to carry essential things while on sightseeing

Clothes

• Cotton trousers
• Shoes
• Sneakers
• Light colored shirts and t-shirts (cotton)
• Number of cotton underwear
• Raincoat
• Hat
• Woolen sweater for hill stations or cold season
• Sandals and easy slip-ins for frequent removals while visiting temples.
• Cotton socks
• Pyjamas
• A set of formal clothing

Examples of restaurant menus. Prices in Rupees.

Sweets, desserts

Examples of restaurant menus. Prices in Rupees.

Burgers, pizzas, sandwiches

Examples of restaurant menus. Prices in Rupees.

Salads, breads