Accompaniments,  Cheese,  Hotels,  India,  Travel,  White Cheese

Destination Delhi

Just hanging out
Just hanging out

An Indian friend asked me recently “What is it with you and India?”.

Good question!

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It’s close to Doha. It’s truly interesting. And they have awesome food.

I dragged Alicia and Lesley to Delhi a couple of months ago, promising the Taj Mahal, paneer and seven million people following us around.

See in India, tall blondeish well fed white women attract attention. Everyone wants to have a photo with us

I mean we’re gorgeous, so frankly who could blame them.

The thing about India is when I travel there, I am hungry. All. The. Time. I believe this is because the air is thick with spices and everywhere you go someone is cooking and eating.

Delhi is less than four hours from Doha – short enough for an exotic weekend.

The insanity started on-board. Qatar Airways is now well accustomed to our insanity.
The insanity started on-board. Qatar Airways is now well accustomed to our insanity.
Doha by night
Doha by night
Cheese on board - Qatar airways has one of the best cheese offerings in the air
Cheese on board – Qatar airways has one of the best cheese offerings in the air

The thing about short weekend trips is that you really have to hit the ground running. For us that meant a packed schedule of sightseeing and of course, eating.

Beautiful carvings at the Qutib Minar in Delhi
Beautiful carvings at the Qutib Minar in Delhi
Exploring the area around the Qutib Minar
Exploring the area around the Qutib Minar
Paneer and dear
Paneer and dear

And of course, there were martinis…

Cheers!
Cheers!
Snack time at Hyatt Regency Delhi
Snack time at Hyatt Regency Delhi

We planned our day around our meals. Which frankly, I don’t see a problem with. While I like to travel alone and I am a fearless eater, traveling with a group makes me a little bolder. We took the advice of the Hyatt Regency Delhi concierge and made a pit stop at the Dilli Haat.

This is a government-supported market style set up with crafts and traditional food stalls. It’s clean and organized and the food, just simple and tasty.

Nepalese and ABBA? I'm in
Nepalese and ABBA? I’m in

Given my obsession with ABBA, the cleverly named MOMO-MIA was a sure thing. Serving up the Nepalese national dish – momos – which are dumplings filled with meat or vegetables served with a spicy sauce. We also tried the chilli potatoes, which was basically, fries with lashing of chilli. It was 40 plus degrees and humid, yet the plate was demolished in minutes.

Momo-mania
Momo-mania

2014-08-22 14.52.45

The real reason to visit Delhi was of course the Taj Mahal. Even on my second visit, it was magnetic.

Before you actually leave Delhi, your driver has to pay road taxes. Now living in the Middle East, I’m used to makeshift offices, but this tax collection point which was basically a card table, took the prize for the best ever. Also, the driver ordered us to “stay inside the car, don’t open the door, don’t open the window, speak to no one”.

Paying the taxman
Paying the taxman
Our private gold cart to the entrance
Our private gold cart to the entrance

This time we did it in style, starting from the stunning Oberoi hotel, with a private golf cart to the entrance and lunch after. the Taj is of course, majestic and perhaps the quietest place I have been to in India. Despite thousands swarming the day we visited, it was peaceful. And hot. Very hot.

The Oberoi
The Oberoi

Meanwhile, this also happened

Taj Mahal with 7 million of our closest friends
Taj Mahal with 7 million of our closest friends

And this

Well hello
Well hello

Qatar's favorite food and travel blogger.

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