Agra

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We woke about 5 and were ready by 6 and it was still dark. we were driven then took a rickshaw to the entrance, and queued, the ladies in one line the men in another, nationals and foreigners in separate queues. We waited but were not allowed in until 6.35 by which time the sun was coming up. Some people got in the wrong but shorter queue which was annoying however eventually we got through the security and had our first glimpse of the front of the Taj through an archway. It was breathtaking and as we got closer it became even more incredible. The Taj Mahal is simply the most beautiful building we have ever seen. The morning dew was still on the grass and the mist rose on the banks of the river. There was the faint sounds of musical instruments being played coming from the temple across the river and birdsong could be heard above that. This incredibly beautiful palace was built in 1639 for a much loved wife of the Shah, and is made of white marble inlaid with malachite, coraleon, mother of pearl and other semi precious stones. Inside only the tomb of the Shah and his wife remain. We walked in our covered shoes around the palace and often we were on our own just soaking in the majesty of the place, can't imagine Steve would build something like this for me, it must have cost a fortune and had over 20,000 workers for 13 years. We feel privileged just to be here and so must others as the smiles on many faces were seen everywhere. People talked to us and wanted us in their pictures. We bade a reluctant farewell and made our way back to the hotel had a yummy Indian breakfast and packed and left.
We were taken to Fatehpur Sikri another red fortress which was built by a King that wanted peace and harmony. He decorated the temples with Hindu Christian and Buddhist designs so that all would feel comfortable there. He had three wives a Christian wife from Goa, a Hindu and a Buddhist wife. His bed was built on a huge platform and apart from his wives he had many opportunities with other beautiful ladies that were housed in the fort/palace.He liked to pray but the town became too noisy and busy so he sent everyone away by making the water disappear or so we were told. Water was so important not just for the normal things in life but they had a water device that cooled the palace in the summer.We continued with our journey to Jaipur a distance of 250kilometres under the careful driving skills of "Harry". Probably not his real name but it is easy to pronounce and anyway it suits him. The drive was through a flat landscape with a mixture of different cereals being grown and local farmers making their journeys by camel which seems to be a popular form of transport. As Harry said 'early Indian taxi', today's equivalent is faster but with Indian driving, a lot more dangerous. We stopped briefly for lunch and after 2hours found ourselves winding into Jaipur which is the capital of Rajastan. Not the loveliest of places, still the hotel was good, the pool warm and the restaurant we visited in the evening excellent. Before this we were treated to a puppet show in the gardens, expecting a reasonable sized audience it was only me and Pauline. Three lads were conducting the show, a little naff but amusing, the icing was their attempt to sell as some puppets. we explained our incompetence at even tying up our shoelaces let alone manoeuvring a puppet so with a small payment 100 rupees as a thankyou for the show we departed to the restaurant for our third curry of the day. Really getting into the Indian way of life.

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Photos

Taj Mahal
Our first view

Sun coming up
The towers are built to lean out so they would not destroy the Taj if they fell

Guest house
They never used it

New friends?
Nah they just wanted a picture with me

Taj Mahal
Must be the most beautiful building we have ever seen