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Published: April 19th 2008
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The Taj Mahal
The Taj at sunrise, 6.30am. The picture really does not do it justice. And so it begins. We have now been in India for a few days, and are both still trying to adjust to the country. We knew we were in for a bit of a culture shock but it really has been quite a tricky place to negotiate. Especially for a pair of fresh-faced, pale-skinned travellers. First stop was Delhi. You really have to experience it to believe. Noisy, smelly, chaotic, frenetic, steamingly hot and yet strangely intoxicating. The night we arrived our taxi wove its way to where we were staying - a budget area called Paharganj. Later we found out it is well known for its drug dealers and dodgy characters! We didn't have any problems however.
The roads are crazy. They are a chaotic mix of cars, buses, camels, cows, donkeys, elephants, stray dogs, rickshaws, motorbikes, bicycles and people. All converging in one one another. The concept of lanes does not exist.
Our taxi hurtled down a narrow dusty track, heaving with small shops, neon lights and cows. Our driver pulled up down a very dark looking alley which our hotel was at the end of. Our hotel room was sparse and quite dingy, but we grew
Paharganj
Where we stayed in Delhi. 'You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany!' to like it. We even had a pigeon sing to us outside the window of the bathroom. The brown walls, hard flimsy mattress and quiet rattle of the air conditioning became comforting after time.
The next day, after a breakfast of omelette on toast with mango juice and a cup of sweet chai - it was time for our grand tour of Delhi. Some of the sights were amazing and very impressive. Highlights were the Red Fort and Humanyans Tomb. Both show off the supreme elegance of Indian architecture and showcase the depth and exotic flavour of its history.
After a some time we did muster the courage to wander down the overwhelming Paharganj. The dirt track street was an incredible warren of little bazaars selling a whole manner of items from clothing and spices to delicious fried jalebis and beetlenut. This short stroll is an intoxicating assault on the senses and perfectly represents the dusty, congested melting pot that is Delhi.
After a couple of days in Delhi we checked out and made our way to the main train station. After dodging many touts who were trying to guide us elsewhere we managed to book our
Humayans Tomb
The last stop on our Delhi tour before the Olympic Torch held us in traffic for 3 hours. tickets to Agra to go and see the Taj Mahal. Unlike British trains, you can't just book and hop on any train. The Indian trains get booked up quite quickly so we had to wait 5 hours in Delhi before our train departed.
We decided to walk to Connaught Place, 10 minutes away. This is a more modern part of Delhi. We found a nice cafe and had an iced coffee whilst watching the world go by. An Indian guy on the next table spied us with our Lonely Planet and started chatting to us about the best places to see in India. He recommended the Government Tourist Office as a place we should visit to get more information - which we did.
This culminated in us booking a tour to get the most out of our first couple of weeks in India - also making things easier. We will be visiting the main places in Rajasthan and have booked our train tickets from Udaipur, through Mumbai to Goa. Our driver is a Sikh chap called Mr. Singh who likes to talk. And when he's not talking he's humming Hindi tunes.
Our first stop was Agra and
the Taj Mahal, which we saw at sunrise. This was an absolutely stunning site to behold - truly amazing. The pictures we have taken really do not do the site justice. Tourists have to pay 10 times the amount locals do to enter the Taj complex - but this still only works out as a few quid.
The first glimpse of the Taj is breathtaking. The milky white dome is dazzling in the early morning sun and it is a sight to drink in and savour for some time. We walked up towards the Taj, our eyes transfixed on the centrepiece. Surrounding it are calming pools and landscaped gardens which are simple yet serve to emphasise the Taj Mahal's grandeur. Four mighty turrets form on each corner of the main tomb building, which are enormous. The symmetry of the building is astounding and the architecture wondrous. The ultimate symbol of love did not disappoint.
Next we will be heading to Jaipur - the so called 'Pink City'. We have certainly been thrown into the deep end as far as travelling is concerned, but are slowly learning to swim.
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anonymous
non-member comment
Hi,its us.
Miss u loads already,just read your messige with mummy and not faye because she is at a sleep over at helens. I had Abigail to sleep over.I can,t imagine how it looks like but it sounds like a different world!!! love u loads and mummy said the same.p.s please keep writing as we love to hear from you its exciting.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx