Dehli and the Taj Mahal

---

After spending a couple of days in Mumbai, adjusting to the harsh realities of India, we have made our way to Dehli for a couple of days before heading to Europe and the wedding in Finland.

We had to be up early to get to the airport on time. Due to the traffic being a total nightmare in Mumbai we left 90 minutes defore we had to, even though it was only a 30 - 40 minute drive. It is just as well we did. We were running early and were a bit hungry due to our small and rushed breakfast. We decided to check in first and then get a bite to eat. When we got to the counter designated for our flight, we were told that it had been cancelled and that we were informed through our travel agent of this. Well of course we hadn't. I told the lady this and she was certain that our agent "Mr Jimmy" had been notified. I of course questioned whether someone had really phoned Jimmy in Australia, several times. They then started to check their flights and one was available at 1.30pm, a wait of 3 hours. Although we were less than happy there was nothing we could do except agree.

Now this is where it was lucky that we were early. While the lady was checking the flight and booking in our luggage, one of the other workers came running back to let her know that a flight to Dehli had been delay and that if we all hurried we could get on the flight as they were only just starting to board. Well we got through all the check-in and secruity and made it to the gate as people were starting to board. Yes our seat were spread around the plane but we were on. Fortunately people were very helpful and they changed the seat so that each of the children were sitting next to one of us.

So as we are finding out there are "many lying bastards" in India so they get a CF of 4. They would get much lower if they were not so bad at lying. Even they don't believe what they are saying.
I must give my self a CF of 7 for not turning into the "Ugly Aussie" on holidays and getting all shitty and aggresive. I was pissed about the flight being cancelled, not so much that it was, but because of the fact we were not told. I really need every minute of my beauty sleep (that is why I don't put many photos of myself in this blog) and I have been missing a far bit recently. Because I didn't lose it I think they were more than happy to try and help us get on a flight.

Dehli is very different to Mumbai. For starters it is very green from the air and on the ground. They are so many trees and that is because of a program that has been in place for the last 5 or 6 years. A cynic would say that it is because of the upcoming Commonwealth Games. There is a lot of work going on throughout the city for the Games. Roads are being built, buildings constructed, stadiums being erected and parks areas being beautified. Our guide is of the opinion that it has been good for the city, helping lower unemployment, boosting tourism and having the potential to show Dehli and India off to the world. It is a very different opinion to most people outside of Dehli. Could other areas and the people in them just be jealous? Don't know. What I do know is that the airports in Dehli get a CF of 7. In comparision to other areas of Asia they are clean, modern and have very good function infrastructure. Just ask Phoebe, she was pretty happy to go to a toilet that was not a squat toilet, was clean and had toilet paper.

Our hotel here in Dehli gets a CF of 8. It truely is a 2 bedroom unit, with a lounge room and a self-contained kitchen and has two bathrooms. Although we are not going to be here much to enjoy its comforts it is being greatly appreciated after Mumbai. The other interesting bit is that it is actually a part of the largest shopping centre in Dehli. We go down to the lobby and out the back door and we are in the middle of the shopping mall. And this is a high end shopping centre as well. All the very well-to-do of Dehli and their hip kids are there. The youngsters are there to see and be seen more so than shop. Alex and Phoebe were pretty excited about it. A lifestyle that could not be further from what we saw on the streets of Mumbai.

Jo has commented that there seems to be less slums and poor people on the streets than she remembers when she was here last. Could it be that these people have been moved out of sight due to the Commonwealth Games. Maybe, maybe not. However nothing that I have so far seen, heard or read while in India makes me believe anything other than these people being further marginalised by government and big business.

On our second day in Dehli we caught a train to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. We had to leave at 5am to get to the train station on time for the 6.15am train. The train station was just a mass of moving people. Over 2 million people use the train station each day. There would have been no way that we would have made it to our train and carriage on time with the kids if we didn't have a guide with us. Contrary to Phoebe's opinion we were in a first class air-conditioned cabin. Our so called breakfast didn't change her mind either. However the train was dead on time and we arrived in Agra 2 hours later. We met with our new guide (Sunil) and shortly after we were at the outside gates of the wall surrounding the Taj Mahal.

Nothing could have prepared me for what it was going to be like when we walked through the Southern Gate to see it for the very first time. It is a truely beautiful building. It looks like it is simply rising out of the ground and hovering in mid-air. The grounds are spectacular and the building is a marvel of engineering and workmanship. The stone work is seemless and has stood the test of time for about 400 years. On top of that the story behind the building is truely fascinating. We spent a couple of hours wondering the grounds and learning about the Taj before we moved off to lunch and our next destination. It is no mystery as to why the Taj Mahal is world heritage listed. It definately gets a CF of 10.

Our next stop was the Agra Fort. Initially Alex was devistated that there was not going to be any sword fights but once he strted to here the stories about drunk elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys and hareems he was totally engaged. He did not stop asking questions all day. It gets a CF of 9, only because it was after our visit to the Taj Mahal.

By 3pm we were on our way back to Dehli via a 5 hour car trip. Traffic in India is diabolical and it happened to be made worse by the Shiva Religious Festival that started that day and was going to run all weekend. So on top of all the busses, cars, bikes, taxis and motorickshaws we usually had to navigate, we also had every man and his cow as well; literally. By about 8pm we were back in our hotel packing up and getting some sleep before another 5am start the next day for our flight to Helsinki and 3 weeks in Scandinavia.

I would have to say though that our trip to Agra has been the best single day I have had so far on this trip.

---

Photos

Welcome to the Taj Mahal
It is unbelievably bright near the Taj Mahal whenever the sun comes out and reflects of all that marble.

It is all impossing.
The building just looms over everything.

The skill of the craftsmen.
The amount of intricate stone work is staggering both by its beauty and craftmanship.

Perfect symetry.
At the Taj Mahal what you see on the left is identical to what you see on the right.

The Agra Fort
Only 1/3 of the fort is open to visitors as the rest is still in use by the India Army. Not bad for a building dating back several centuries.

Prince Alex.
At the Agra Fort Alex liked to think that he was a Prince with his telescope.

Sorry we are full.
On the way back to Dehli you see many interesting sights; we were doing 100km an hour with this car in front of us.

Beef burger anyone?
Cows are a sacred animal in India and are allowed to roam freely wherever they wish.