New Delhi

Delhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, with one part of it, known as New Delhi. We will stay in this city for several 7 days, and the public transport system in this city seems good, there are buses, auto-rickshaws, metro trains and taxis.

Check the Auto-rickshaws - no doors here!

We have the same thing in China, it is fun to try!!

Red Fort

The Red Fort (Lal Qila) is one of Delhi’s top tourist sights. A brilliant red sandstone fort built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (who also built Agra’s Taj Mahal) as his ruling palace.

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb in south Delhi, near Hazrat Nizamuddin station, is one of Delhi’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Qutub Minar

This complex in Mehrauli, houses structures dating from the Slave Dynasty (1206-1290) and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gardens are kept in excellent shape, making this a popular relaxation and picnic spot.

Food!!

Chaat

If you want to eat chaat, the North Indian street side snack food, Delhi is the place to be. Delhi has arguably the best street food in India.

Mumbai

Mumbai is different from the rest of India in pretty much the same way that New York City is different from the United States. The pace of life is more hurried.

We only will stay in this city for 3 days, so time is very limited.

The cool thing in this city is we can travel by ferry, check this out.

Colonial buildings

The British built a magnificent city within the walls of Fort St. George. Some fine examples of the Gothic revival, Neo-classical style and Indo-Saracenic style are seen within this area. Worth seeing are the Gateway of India, the CST terminus, and the Police headquarters or generally just take a stroll around South Mumbai.

Beaches

Mumbai has a few beaches, including one in the downtown area. Some comments online said they are not very great…

Food!!!

I did some research, Mumbai has good street food too. Here is the list:

Butter chicken and naan

Kebab rolls

Indian Chinese

As many different kinds of chaat as your stomach can handle

Indian sweets- milky, delicious concoctions (try the kulfi falooda at Badshah’s in Crawford market)

Vada pav (the great Indian veg burger)

South Indian food from an Udupi restaurant

Kingfisher Blue beer

To get a real flavour of what’s unique to Mumbai, you will have to go a little lower down the scale and experience the street food and Irani cafes. Just remember to check whether the place is clean.

Bangalore

For many years, Bangalore was known throughout India as the most green, liberal and forward-thinking city. In recent years, these attributes have propelled Bangalore to the forefront of the high-tech industry boom in India, and it currently ranks as India’s most developed city and one of the world’s fastest growing urban areas.

This city has auto-rickshaw, too.

Iskcon Temple

Temple built on a hillock in Rajajinagar atop scenic surroundings, is a perfect blend of modern technology and spiritual harmony. The huge cultural complex was built to promote vedic culture and spiritual learning, and abounds with shops selling devotional items and souvenirs. It is home of the ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ movement.

Pub

Experience the Bangalore pub scene, mostly around MG Road, Brigade Road, and Church Street.

Food!!!

Bangalore is far from the sea, and as such the quality of seafood can vary. Some of the higher end and popular seafood places manage this well, but foreign travelers may want to tread a bit carefully.

- Yuxiang Gao

References:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangalore#Eat

http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangalore

http://wikitravel.org/en/Mumbai

http://wikitravel.org/en/India

http://wikitravel.org/en/Delhi

http://www.food-india.com/

http://www.indianfoodforever.com/

http://www.tourindia.com/

Most of you know that from June 11 till July 11 the worlds most important event takes place, the Soccer World Championship in South Africa.

While I was researching the important matches and trying to fit that somehow into our India schedule, I realized that India does not participate in the World Championship. I was stunned, should this country of 1.2 bln have no decent soccer players? I mean even North Korea (not exactly known as a soccer super power) somehow qualified. So, where is India?

I was even more surprised to learn, that soccer is extremely popular in India even outnumbering cricket and hockey. It is extremely popular with the lower and middle class. The Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Calcutta is the second largest Stadium in the world, and the 120.000 seats are sold out on games of the Indian premier league.

So even though there is a large population of soccer fans and soccer player the Indian national team (aka The Bhangra Boys) never qualified even once for a soccer world championship. However, in 1950, for political reasons some team withdrew, and India moved up, and was invited to play in the world championship. Surprisingly the All India Football Federation decided to pass because the FIFA required all players to wear shoes, an unacceptable infringement on the liberties of the Indian team, which was known to play without shoes but with bandages.

Let’s see and wait what happens in 2014.

- Vitus Holzner

Sources:

http://www.taz.de/1/sport/artikel/1/der-wecker-ist-gestellt/

http://www.footage-magazin.de/index_ndim536.php

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indische_Fußballnationalmannschaft

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft_1950