Agra

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Hello all,

Moved to Agra yesterday thank god- Delhi was awful, and i would stronglay recommend anyone interested not to go there!

We stayed in a different hotel on our second night there, which was worse in every way then our first one, more noisy, dirty, basic etc etc and neither of us could sleep properly as we were so excited about catching our 6am train out of there!! I think that was the most unsafe I have ever felt in my life.

Right, for those of you who warned against train travel in India... WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!! We thought we'd do things local styleee and travel the lowest class, well we couldnt have made a better decision! We boarded the train to be served in our seats wioth free bottled water and newspapers. Then as the train took off we were served tea and biscuits!! We couldnt believe it! You dont get this service on a Thameslink and for a fraction of the price!! Then as if this wasnt enough, about half an hour later we were served with a hot breakfast, which was a (spicy) vegatable Pakora with peas, and 2 slices of bread with butter and jam. THEN, followed by orange juice. I think the Virgin crew who took us out should have a little trip to Delhi for a lesson or two on customer service!! So my opinion on train travel- its definatley the way forward!

On reaching Agra, we had been warned about taki drivers telling you they will take you where you ask but then take you somewhere else- so they can get comission from you staying at their friends hotels, so we got a pre paid tuk tuk to take us, and ended up booking him (Raj.. nice guy, bad teeth, and a big problem down below judging by the constant itching) to pick us up that evening and the following morning for tours around Agra for only Rs400- equivilant of about 4.75! Bargain!

That evening Raj collected us to go and see the sunset from the rear of teh Taj Mahal, which was nice, but to be honest a little too foggy, apparantly this is the worst time of year for it. We then had a drive around, had dinner and went 2 bed early in order for our 6am pickup this morning.

We were late... only because it was the first day the water has been hot in the shower and neither of us could get out of it!! We went to the Taj Mahal for sunset, again too foggy, but was absolutely amazing, and the pictures do not do it justice. We hired a professional photographer to take some pics of us, incidentally the first ones of us together, which was nice, but the rudeness of teh man, he made me take off my sunglasses. DOes he not know who I am!!??

Following our little Taj trip, we went for breakfast in a little cafe that had a rooftop terrace with views over the Taj and then back into Raj's little motor to the other sights of Agra. We went to the Agra fort (starting to think, seen one you seen em all) and then the baby Taj, which was also as beautiful as the Taj Mahal, and far less touristy.

By this stage Raj is starting to get most annoying. We asked to just take us to one shop so we could buy some Saris! The one he took us to was so expensive but ended up in theer for at least half an hour while they showed us EVERY single thing they sold. By the time we left we were suicidal, but Raj decided against our request of going straight home, to take us to another 5 shops!! that man!! Anyway, we didnt end up buying a single thing, but at least it gave us a little haggling practice- the only positive i can think of!

Have booked a coach first thing in the morning to take us to Jaipur where we will begin our Rajasthan trip! Hoping to make it to Pushkar the following day for the end of their Camel fair.

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Photos

View from a Tuk Tuk
(and Raj's head as an added bonus)

Taj Mahal
... No sunglasses allowed

Comments

[Philomena]

You sound like your having the best time, can`t belive how much you`ve done in a week. Hope neither of you have caught anything from scratchy Raj!! The pics look fab and i am appalled that someone of your stature Murphy wasn`t allowed to wear the sunglasses! (Quel Horrer!) P.s Loving the blogs! TTFN Phil xxxx

[Fiona]

Hey cuz, Great to hear your having a ball. Glad you had more luck organising that trip than your one home to see us in Eire. What a disaster...we'll have to get you home soon. All the best and keep up the blogs. Missing ya loads. Love ya lots Feibs

[babs]

oh my god
hello love, just had a mega catch up on the blog, very impressive you have been busy. have to say the sunglass removal made me feel sick to the stomach, bloody cheek! you should have refused, paddy will be disapointed! loving the pouts though, need more of that action. maybe you could arrange a training trip for ken livingstone while your over there as i have a few issues with Londons integrated transport system and it sounds like there a bit more clued up, either that or the just saw the sunglasses and realised who you are! well keep up the good work darl and say hi to Sanjay and gita for me love babs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Bernadette]

hey chicken
Loving the blogs.. very cool to hear about what your up to all the time...did you get that sleeping bag so didnt have to sleep on the sheets in scuzzy hotels?!!!? thought the mother theresa pic was great I will be putting you forward for the nobel peace prize next year for services to orphan children and making the world a browner place to be. Glad your having a good time sugar, hugs xxxx