Hotel Grandeur

AUTO CHALTE!!!!!

by alycat

For decades now, the auto has been the most common and integral part of Hyderabad. All u have to say if u wanna board one of these 3 wheelers is "Auto chalte kya" which means would u come along. n he would say chalo. We hyderabadi's share a love-hate relationships with the auto-drivers. We desist them but they are always there when we desperately need to reach a destination. The auto has almost become synonymous with Hyderabad.Traveling by the autos has become the part and parcel of Hyderabadi life. While in most other cities of India it is the cabs that are heavily used for traveling in the city, in the city of Hyderabad the autos have been growing in strength. It is indeed a surprise that a happening city like Hyderabad hardly has any popular cab services. It was only just about recently that a City Cabs have been pressed into service.

But the small autos have competition in the form of 7-seater autos all over the city and outskirts. The seven seater autos are run on diesel and are very airy and cheap. Its fun travellin in them but not safe though.

Chowmahalla Palace

by Donna_in_India

Built over 200 years ago the palace complex has been restored after 5 years of work. It is a combination of many architectural styles and influences. I really did like some of the arches, doorways, etc.

It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. One of the nicest rooms open to the public is the King's throne room where official guests and royal visitors were entertained. The chandeliers were fantastic.

Interestingly, the complex is a replica of the Shah’s Palace in Teheran, Iran. It consists of two courtyards with elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens (with some beautiful flowers).

Not many rooms were open to the public and most that were really weren't all that interesting. I did like the various carriages used for transporting people from one part of the complex to another. (Previously the grounds occupied about 3-4 dozen acres. Today it's only about 1 dozen.) The grounds are used for various functions and while we were there they were being set up for a wedding.

This wouldn't be on my must-sees of Hyderabad only because I have seen many other more beautiful palaces in India. If pressed for time, I would skip it.

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Fridays and National Holidays

Admission Rs 25 for Indians, Rs 150 for foreigners
Rs 50 for Camera

Last Point For Me...

by coceng

VARANASI <<<<< HYDERABAD >>>>> CHENNAI (where my India trip started from...)
12th June (Tuesday) :
My last train journey for this trip was from Varanasi to Hyderabad.
It's a 31 hours journey !VIDEOI arrived in Hyderabad (Secunderabad station) at about 8 am.
The train was so sluggish upon entering the Secunderabad station.
Huge station.
So, there would be trains going in & out from it.
Even at 8 am, it was busy with so many people !
India is really an over-populated country !
No doubt about it.
But it's nice seeing all these people, full of activities.
Even at the train station.
Dragging my luggage out of the station or rather manuevering the station.
Decided what I wanted to do.
Hyderabad was my LAST port of call.
I should be flying home on that night (13th June, at 1 am).
Money was tight !
I had about Rs 500 left on me !
That's about USD 10.

Found a cloakroom, put my luggage there.
Paid when collecting, I was told.
Next, saw this Internet room.
Gotta check my emails.
Again, the Western Union number was still invalid !
What the **** happened ?!
1/2 hour on the Net, enough.
Rs 10.

Decided to see Golconda Fort.
Couldn't afford to use auto service.
So, by the public buses.
Asking a few people.
Funny how some people never heard of Golconda Fort, maybe a different name in Hindi ?
Took 3 public buses.
Fares ranging from Rs 4 to Rs 6.
Excellent.
I had enough time.
Reached at the foot of Golconda Fort at about 11 am.
15 km or so from Secunderabad.
Impressive fort !

Decided not to go up just yet, although checked at the ticket booth, how much they charged for foreigners ?
Rs 100 (less than USD 3), with a camera.
Excellent !

Walking around the area.
Stalls, selling drinks & foods.
Plenty.
Bought mangoes, sliced ones & 2 delicious-looking full fruity mangoes.
Rs 20.
The sliced ones were sprayed with some pickles.
Sweet & sour.
I didn't care anymore.
If I had a bad tummy, because of this mangoes.
I could just deposited everything on that last day or on the flight home !
Grand...

Entered Golconda Fort.
Guide touts.
No, I didn't need one, thank you.
Still one even had time to show me 'The Clapping Portico'.
Just near the entrance anyhow.
One clap & the one at the top of the fort could hear it.
I tried it, the sound had some kind of vibration.
I thought that was impressive.
Still, I didn't need any guide.
Thank you.

I took my own sweet time around the fort.
I had plenty of time.
Impressive looking fort.
Perched high up on top of the hill.
The sun was started to shine brighter & brighter.
Feeling so tired & lazy upon climbing it.
Rested a few times, smoking...drinking my mineral water.

Golconda Fort is a 16th century fortress.
Originally a mud fort.
It was the state capital for nearly 80 years.
Until it was abandoned in 1560.
Moved to Hyderabad.

Reached the top of the fort, great views down below.VIDEOHuge area.
Again, me smoking & drinking.
Felt so good.
Even eating my mango.
Using my teeth to tear the mango skin.
Sucking/eating the flesh inside.
I even ate the skin !
So freaking delicious !
People wanted to see, let them see.
I didn't use their freaking money to buy those mangoes !

Took some photos, videos.
On the way down, saw a little girl sshitting behind some bushes.
Her mum was feeling sheepish when I passed by...
No need to be shy, mum.
I had seen enough people sshitting around India !
Men & kids (all the times !), women (rarely).

My watch showed 3 pm.
Slowly walking down the steps.
At the same time, enjoying the sights of the fort.
Took photos.
Feeling tired because of the sun.
Even shone brighter on me !

Suddenly it rained !VIDEOHeavy rain with thunderstorms !
Wow !
Impressive !
First time in India, heavy rain like this.
Took shed for nearly 1 hour.
Together with 20 people or so.

Thank God, I had an umbrella.
Opened it & walked pass those people.
They probably looked at me & said, "Tourist !"
Always prepared for any kind of weather.
How true.

Down below the fort, took more photos.
Still so much to see.
Couldn't see everything.
Didn't want to.
By 4 pm, I was out from the fort area.VIDEOHad to taste those sliced mangoes again !
Hhmm, nice !

Hyderabad has many attractions.
It's a historic city.
The bazaar area.
Some old mosques.
Some monuments...
Didn't bother.

Took a bus.
Asking a few people & found my way back to Secunderabad station.
Walking around the area.
Asking an auto guy, how much he would charged me to the airport.
He said, " Rs 100"
I said no way !
He lowered it to Rs 80.
I said not now, later.

Entered the railway building.
Somebody tapped on my shoulder.
A tourist police.
He asked me where I wanted to go.
He saw my conversation with the auto guy.
I said later I wanted to go to the airport, fly home.
He said I shouldn't be paid more than Rs 40.
He even suggested that I should get an auto outside the railway area.
The airport is about 4 km away anyway...
I said I knew.
I thanked him, for being concerned about it.

It's 5 pm, I thought I wanted to treat myself.
Eating.
I think I could afford it.
Up the restaurant at the railway.
Again, rice with omelette.
Love it !
Rs 50.

Slowly, down the steps.
Collecting my luggage.
When I wanted to pay, was told already paid !
Err, who paid for me ?
A mistake on their side ?
Kept quiet about it.
At the same time, smiling to myself.
I was suppose to pay Rs 10.
I could save Rs 10 then...
On that last day in India.

Walking out from the station area.
Following the tourist police advice.
Didn't feel like walking too far.
Outside, many people.
Early evening time !
The honings were as crazy as anywhere in India.
In a few hours time, I would be missing these.
Maybe.
But I was ready to be home.
To be in my room.
To sleep in my room.
Watching TV, eating, drinking etc etc etc.

Flagged an auto.
I said, "Airport !"
The guy said, "Rs 50".
I said, "Rs 40 ?"
No, he said Rs 50.
Didn't feel like arguing.
So, my saved Rs 10 (from the luggage fees) would add up to the normal fare to the airport (Rs 40).
Would equal to Rs 50.
Whatever.

I said okay.
The journey was about 15 minutes or so.
Even with heavy traffic.
The airport was near, like 4 km away.VIDEOMy guidebook said this as well.

I thought I could walk.
Too lazy.

Click HERE to read on my airport experience.ALL MY VIDEOS AROUND INDIA