Incredible India with Senheng: Visit to Delhi & Taj Mahal, Symbol of India [Part 1]

[Update]

• Incredible India with Senheng: Visit to Delhi & Taj Mahal, Symbol of India [Part 1]
• Incredible India with Senheng: Jantar Mantar Observatory - City Palace Museum - Bapu Bazaar [Part 2] 
• Incredible India with Senheng: Cobra & Elephant Ride @ Amber Fort, Funfair at Chokhi Dhani Village [Part 3]

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A group photo of all the lucky winners together with VIP from Senheng Electric Sdn Bhd, Samsung Malaysia Sdn Bhd, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad and Hong Leong Bank Berhad before we head to India!

As shown above, 50 pairs of lucky winners for the Senheng Real Power Contest has won themselves 8 days 5 nights trip to India to catch the INDIA OPEN 2013 LIVE! Together with their partners, 100 of them went for a trip to India fully sponsored by Senheng Electric (KL) Sdn Bhd.

This contest was organized by Senheng with the support from Samsung Malaysia Sdn Bhd, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad and Hong Leong Bank Berhad in conjunction with the company’s 23rd Anniversary celebration.

The all-paid trip for the winners were inclusive of flight tickets, accommodation, ground tour, badminton match tickets and meals. The total prizes are worth RM440,000 for all the 50 pairs of lucky winners.

Other than catching the INDIA OPEN 2013 Live, the 8 days 5 nights trip also includes ground tour to some of the famous tourist spots in India such as the Qutub Tower, India Gate, Jama Mosque, City Palace, the Legendary Taj Mahal and many other incredible places in India. 

The Real Power Contest was held from the 1st of September until the 30th of November 2012 opening to all PlusOne cardmembers who shopped with a minimum of RM999 in a single receipt from any Senheng outlets or senQ Digital Stations nationwide. This 3 months’ long contest sees more than 300,000 entries from all around Malaysia.

[Contest to win a trip to China with Senheng]

Badminton fans can look forward to Senheng current contest, which is the Master Power Shop & Win Contest whereby 100 lucky Malaysian will stand a chance to catch LIVE badminton Semi-Finals and Finals matches at China!

Customers just need to spend a minimum of RM999 in a single receipt at any Senheng outlets or senQ Digital Stations nationwide to be entitle for the contest running from the 1^st of March until the 31^st of May, 2013.

*Click READ MORE*

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Courtesy of Senheng Electric (KL) Sdn Bhd, I felt really honored to be invited for the prize giving ceremony AND also to join this 8 days 5 nights trip to India as well! I will try to make this post short and talk about what I've experience throughout this oversea trip together with the winners =)


[Day 1] Basically spent time in the plane. Flew from KLIA - Singapore - New Delhi

[Day 2] Photo session outside of Qutub Tower, India Gate, drove past the President and Parliament Houses, government buildings and embassy area. Went to Badminton Semi-Final.

Transfer Flight from KLIA to Singapore Changi Airport helps me found this beautiful Sunflower Garden at night!
It is located just besides the smoking zone area though

Here's me and Mr. Lee, media buddy from Sin Chew Newspaper who write about sports news

Since I was traveling alone to India and will meet another new media friend on that day itself, I was worried that I will meet an old uncle that will snore while sleeping. Thankfully, I met a Korean looking buddy as my roommate for the whole trip. Most importantly, he didn't snore while sleeping HAHAHA

A cyclist fetching 10++ students on a single trishaw

Immediately after we landed on Delhi, we took the bus to our hotel and my journey of photographing what I've seen in India began. Most of the time, we were traveling in the bus hence I've basically acquired new skills on how to snap street photography photos through the fast moving bus, as I tried my best to snap non-blurred photos as well as decreasing the window light flare.

To be honest, you will definitely be surprised with what you see along the street. There's a huge contrast between rich and poor and in Malaysia, the street's hygiene is definitely better than in India.

Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi
Outer Ring Road, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi

Our first hotel for this India trip is named Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi. You will able to see Radisson Blue no matter where you travel to (saw it in Agra and Jaipur as well). Every hotel we went to has the security check system that need you to go through before entering the hotel.

Our room @ Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi
Spacious room for two with transparent bathroom

City tour around Delhi for a look at President and Parliament Houses + Government Buildings

India Gate that was securely guarded by Delhi Police

India Gate is usually open for visitors but during our visit it was guarded by armed Delhi Police. Therefore, we just passed by twice for a chance to snap photo from inside the bus. To be honest, I was also reluctant to go out of the bus as well because the weather in India is scorching hot! 40 degree Celsius throughout the whole trip yo!

Everytime you stop at a traffic light, you can see people selling different stuff to earn for living
Here's a guy selling fully bloomed flowers and was curious with us who were sitting in the tour bus

A group photo in front of Qutub Tower
That's an airplane flying over the tower

There were three coaches in total and I was traveling in coach No. 2. Jet lag made me can't stand long in the hot weather and I am glad we were served with enough clean mineral water throughout this trip. It is true that you must be very careful with what you eat and drink in India. You are advised to get a vaccination first before traveling to India to avoid getting sick due to food or water contamination.

Best Tandoori Chicken we had in India
Out of the Box located at Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, Delhi

Hauz Khaz Village looked like a place that many people will visit as I spotted tourists from various country hanging out there. We were served fresh baked Indian breads in almost everyday during our trip there. You will always have curry/dhal to mix together with the bread. For a person that doesn't consume much of spicy food, luckily I can still withstand the spicy dishes served there. Make sure to try out their delicious Tandoori Chicken when you visit "Out of the Box" restaurant.

For God's Sake, STOP HONKING

In India, it is very normal to hear all the vehicles honking at each other on the road. For them, it is a must-have driving skill if you want to survive travelling in India by car/mini taxi. They will keep honking from behind/side so that you know they are there. I've seen many cars with broken side mirrors and that just amazed me. Some of the car decided to just flip the side mirror to prevent being knock off by careless drivers. Sometimes the road doesn't have proper lines as well, therefore drivers can just drive from left to right without following much rules.

Youngsters all dressed in white waiting inside the bus

India Open 2013 @ Siri Forts Sport Complex

Watching badminton match live in India!!

After lunch, we then head off to Siri Fort Sports Complex to watch the India Open 2013 Badminton Match. Of course we were there to support team Malaysia!

Dato' Lee Chong Wei Ironman floating pose during his badminton match

The feeling of supporting our Malaysian player is different when watching it live instead of watching it on the TV. What's more when we traveled all the way to India just to support Dato' Lee Chong Wei and to see him win the match in front of our eyes! This experience is simply priceless.

Chiao Ju and Andrew - A lovely couple I've met during the trip =D
Thanks for taking care of my camera bag while I was away haha
Including Chipsmore  and huge bottles of mineral water!

You shall not forget to take a selfie at the sport complex where Dato' Lee Chong Wei won the match!
Together with PeiYi from SenHeng =)

Radisson Blue, New Delhi at night
The infinity pool that I never get the time to jump in! The guard was waiting for me to snap a few photos before he close the pool haha. Thanks for being patient!

The most ridiculous ads I've seen on India's TV Channel
Does people nowadays still fall for this marketing strategy? Find someone who's already fair and paint them black =.="

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[Day 3] Tour to Old Delhi and drove past Red Fort. Visited Jama Mosque and went to Siri Fort Sports complex to watch the Final Match of India Open 2013

Colorful temple is easily spotted at the roadside. This is a monkey god that has five different face

Friendly residents showing peace sign after I did it haha

Public toilets for men. Yeap, it is legal to just pee at the roadside

Passed by the roadside markets where people shop for clothes under the hot sun

No Parking or else polis 'tangkap' and 'rotan'

Passed by Red Fort with amazing building architecture

Used my time wisely for swift street photography while walking towards Jama Mosque
More photos to be found on my Facebook Page =D

A picture of me in front of Jama Mosque

Prayer's time

Climbed up to one of the tower for 100Rp and this is what I saw!! Amazing city scape of Old Delhi

My lips has cracked due to the hot weather but it never stop me to smile and camwhore with the local who enjoy the breeze on top of the tower.

If you are at Jama mosque, make sure you pay a little extra fee to go up to the tower and enjoy the city scape from there. The stairs was dark so you would need to walk slowly or switch on your torchlight ya. Do note that entry is prohibited if you wear sleeveless shirts or short trousers. The gatekeeper will provide you a gown/sarong to cover your body but you are not required to pay for it. Only people with cameras (including mobile phone camera) will be charged Rp300/camera.

I was asked to pay Rp100 after he helped me put on the gown/sarong but luckily my tour guide helped me to get the money back.

A beautiful part of the city in Delhi

Watch IronMan 3D but with Indian language haha
"Shoot out at Wadala" has a sexy poster though

"Gary has a little horse" vs "Mary have a little lamb"

Lunch at Chor Bizarre India's Restaurant

A picture with K.H. Lim together with the antique car inside the Chor Bizarre India's Restaurant

Another friendly kids spotted while walking on the way to our bus

Kids beggar who trying to run away from my sight after saw my camera pointing at them.
I don't know why

Indian Police that I always see in Indian movie is now a real life person!
The exactly same outfit!

Armed police just outside the Siri Fort Sports Complex to protect our safety

Another group photo of us all who manage to witness Dato' Lee's winning live in India! Thanks to Senheng for this opportunity!

Joshi and family supporting Dato' Lee Chong Wei =)
I was surprise to know that quite a lot locals who are supporting him

A tough match between Indonesia and Korea
Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir from Indonesia vs Sung Hyun Ko and Ha Na Kim of South Korea

Some of the winners manage to sit at the front rows to support Malaysia Team

A great view to see the badminton battles between Dato' Lee Chong Wei and Kenichi Tago from Japan

Dato' Lee Chong Wei know we were there to show support and came to us for a group photo =D
Hope you like this winning shot haha

This is how we ended our day three travel to India. I was really tired to plan what to do at night Z.z... Glad that Dato' Lee Chong Wei won the match and never disappoint us who had traveled that far for him haha.

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[Day 4] Traveled from Delhi to Agra. Visited Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Mohabat Taj Live Show. Stayed in Jaypee Palace Hotel

Tol station while travel from Delhi to Agra
4 hours drive, enjoyable village view where you can see camels

Stopped by at the one and only rest area for toilet stop and eat icecream to cool down body temperature

Bricks factory spotted in the village. Mainly on place with abundance of red soils

A selfie together with the peaceful village view along the highway

Heading into Agra town where you can see water buffalo bathing in the river

A kid teaching another kid on how to survive on the road and make a living

Warm welcome by Jaypee Palace Hotel

Colourful food being served at this buffet restaurant in Jaypee Palace Hotel
You must try out their crispy crisps together with the white yoghurt mixtures.

My favourite three layers cheese slice

Here's our room in Jaypee Palace Hotel. make sure you walk around the hotel if you have time. They have a huge garden and fountain right in front of the hotel

Traveled to Agra Fort. Weather was hot so we made a swift move in and out.  I was frightened by a mom with scars on her face, holding a baby and call me "handsome" repetitively begging for money

You will need to pay Rs300 to enter Agra Fort

Skinny India squirrels spotted in Agra Fort

Sky is clear, sun is hot, beautiful building structures

I am a bad listener when it involved with too much of history haha. Weather was too hot and I choose to focus on capturing the surrounding instead of listen to the story. Gotta say sorry to Lee (our tourguide) who have tried to tell us the story about this place. All I could remember is, this is a place where you can see Taj Mahal from far.

Taj Mahal nicely located and can be viewed from far at Agra Fort

A picture with tour guide from OneWorld Vacation Sdn Bhd
Jan has traveled to so many countries that I've lost count. Admire her passion in travelling!!

A beautiful spot in Agra Fort

Here's a sight of Agra Fort before we leave the place
Most of the time we try to find shades to avoid the hot sun

R.O. Purified drinking water available for free. Since I have 3 more days in India and I don't wanna fall a sick, I wasn't dare to try it out =(

General ticket and High Value Ticket Holder have different row to enter Taj Mahal

A small corner of Taj Mahal

After half an hour bus ride from Agra Fort to Taj Mahal, we have finally reached this beautiful place that I can assure you to feel amazed immediately after you enter this place. I've recorded more video at this place but just let me share with you some photos first would ya? =D

Local getting their photos photographed at the entrance of Taj Mahal

Already feel amazed even before I cross the border
Taj Mahal - Symbol of India

Taj Mahal beautifully showered with sunset

Friends from same bus coach having their photo taken in front of Taj Mahal
Spot the most stylist guys among all =)

Oh well, a simple jump shot in front of Taj Mahal

If only I can pick Taj Mahal up into the sky =)

I was guided by one of the locals who show me this spot to take a beautiful photo of the Taj Mahal

The locals were friendly enough to lead me to this spot where I can take the mirror image of Taj Mahal. He tried to bring me to another spot but I left as I think he would ask me to pay for his kindness afterwards... Sorry bro, I was scared and decided to walk with my group mates.

Indian woman in colorful saree sitting on the bench in Taj Mahal

Fish Eye camwhore with Taj Mahal should not be missed!!
*funny smile as I still have cracked lips*

Photography is prohibited inside the main mausoleum.
It was dark and this is where the coffin placed inside the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal: Secrets & Mysteries 
You may want to watch this video for the history of Taj Mahal =)

The History of Taj Mahal

"Commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his cherished wife, the Taj Mahal stands on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India. The famed mausoleum complex, built over more than 20 years, is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian, Persian and Islamic influences. At its center is the Taj Mahal itself, built of shimmering white marble that seems to change color depending on the sunlight or moonlight hitting its surface. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, it remains one of the world's most celebrated structures and a stunning symbol of India's rich history.

Taj Mahal: Shah Jahan's Romantic Gesture
Shah Jahan was a member of the Mughal dynasty that ruled most of northern India from the early 16th to the mid 18th-century. After the death of his father, King Jahangir, in 1627, Shah Jahan emerged the victor of a bitter power struggle with his brothers, and crowned himself emperor at Agra in 1628. At his side was Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal ("Chosen One of the Palace"), whom he married in 1612 and cherished as the favorite of his three queens.

In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal died after giving birth to the couple's 14th child. The grieving Shah Jahan, known for commissioning a number of impressive structures throughout his reign, ordered the building of a magnificent mausoleum across the Yamuna River from his own royal palace at Agra. Construction began around 1632 and would continue for the next two decades. The chief architect was probably Ustad Ahmad Lahouri, an Indian of Persian descent who would later be credited with designing the Red Fort at Delhi. In all, more than 20,000 workers from India, Persia, Europe and the Ottoman Empire, along with some 1,000 elephants, were brought in to build the mausoleum complex."

Beautiful view from Taj Mahal building to see the whole garden

Tourist like us are consider rare during that season. Hence local would ask us to take a photo together =)

I wish I could stay here longer to see different color of Taj Mahal (sunrise, noon, sunset, full moon)

It would be great if I were assigned to this place to do a timelapse video of the Taj Mahal.

Friendly driver gave me a thumbs up for snapping a photo of him with his ride haha

After visited Taj Mahal, some of us then departed to Kalakriti Theatre to watch "Mohabbat Taj Lives Show". Thanks to the traffic we were late for the show that started at 6.30 PM =(

This live show is about a series of play depicting the saga of love. The true and immortal love of Shajahan for Mumtaj Mahal - his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era; immaculate hardship of the artisans for 22 years that created the most precious specimen of craftsmanship.

Shajahan and Mumtaj Mahal
Mohabbat Taj Lives Show @ Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Centre, Agra

The tickets for this show includes Platinum Seats(First 7 rows from stage USD 55), Gold Seats(Next 10 rows after 7th row from stage for USD 50), and Silver Seats (Balcony Area for USD 45). The live show is worth to watch if you like to see musical dance, it is super colorful with beautiful people in colorful sarees together with their lighting. Unfortunately, photography were not allowed during the performance...

For more information of Mohabbat Taj Live Show, visit www.kalakritionline.com.

Mohabbat Taj Lives Show @ Kalakriti Theatre, Agra
A beautiful sculpture of the iconic Taj Mahal

One out of many weddings held at night

Indians prefer to celebrate their wedding in a luxurious way and you will able to see their beautiful stage with people enjoy party at night. I remember I heard fireworks booming in the sky from the wedding held just beside our hotel. This again showed the contrast between the rich and poor people I've seen in India.

Maybe it is true that you need to be very rich if you want to get your son marry a girl. According to our tour guide, they decide their wedding date through horoscope analysis =) I really salute India for their invention of astrology knowledge and tools to track the stars and time through the sunrays.

Fisheye landscape of the fountain pool in front of Jaypee Palace Hotel
Sweet dream!

This conclude my day four in India!! I am really glad that through blogging and Senheng I was brought there and have a look of the beautiful Taj Mahal with my own eyes. Taj Mahal basically explained the word "Incredible India". Imagine how many people and elephants were used to construct this historical building without the advance of technology. I really salute India for this =)

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One of the bravest thing I've done in my life is to touch a living cobra!!
Things I've done the next day when I was in India!!

Has my journey to India ended? Not yet!! Stay tuned for my Incredible India Trip with Senheng Malaysia [PART 2]!! I can assure you more exciting things we have done in India =)

Incredible India with Senheng 2013 Photo Slideshow
Delhi - Taj Mahal(Agra) - Jaipur

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