Australia Day and the Qatb Minar

DAY 5 :

For the rest of India, it was Republic Day, celebrating the 1930 declaration of independence, but for us, it was Australia Day!  We had been invited to an apartment party to celebrate with the Australians, hosted by the same lady who had taken us around on our first day.  Now, for those of you who have ever partied with Australians, you will understand why the details of this day are hazy at best.  

Furthermore, there is only one surviving photograph of the event.  The invitation came with the insistence of Australia-inspired costumes, and this was mine.  10 points to the first person who correctly guesses. 

Hint: it's made of staff paper.

DAY 6 :

Our last chance for sightseeing in Delhi was devoted to the Qutb Complex, home of the tallest brick Minaret in the world, the Qutb Minar.

The construction of this tower began in 1193 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of India.  However, to ultimately reach the final height of 72.5 meters would take the work of two subsequent rulers over the next two centuries.

This ambition but lack of foresight is mimicked in the Alai Minar, which was started in 1316 with the intention of being twice the height of the Qutb Minar.  Alas, this is how it stands 700 years later : the still impressive base of an unfulfilled vision.


Surrounding the Qutb Minar are the ruins of royal tombs, ancient colleges, and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first Mosque built after the Islamic conquest of India in the 12th century.















And with that, our short time in Delhi had come to an end, but our trip was far from over.  Off to the airport, and onto more adventures!