After Varanasi, and those sights and sounds that I am sure will remain with imprinted on our memories for a very long time, we turned westwards. A short flight back to Delhi and we picked up a car and driver and were on our way to Agra, home of the famous Taj Mahal, and to Rajestan, the desert region filled with clan history, palaces and forts. We were also hopeful that, as we headed west and southwards, that the temperatures might increase a few notches.
The day of our visit was mild, but misty.We'd hired a guide for 450 rupees and I have to say I would recommend anyone to do so. Insights on the nature and history of the site were welcomed but, more practically, the knowledge of the better vantage points for photographs were a great help. He also took a few snaps of both of us together which, when travelling as a pair, is rarely possible.
It costs 750 rupees to get in, about £10. This by Indian standards is an enormous sum, but its worth every penny. This also gets you a pair of bright red disposable overshoes for once you reach a certain point in the grounds you are required to either don these or go barefoot. It wasn't paticularly tropical so we put on the red shoes.
The only thing I can say about the Taj Mahal is that any photograph or film you may have seen of it will not do it justice. Though the grounds are perhaps smaller than you may imagine the structure itself is truly magnificent and the skill of the craftsmen that built it is apparent in every minute detail. It is wonderful. I'll post some pictures that also will not convey the fabulous beauty of this place.
If you ever get the chance to go then go.
Kathy mislaid her glasses there so first job at the next stop, Jaipur, was an opticians.
Our new driver was named Haroon.He didn't say much but he was generally helpful. Haroon was rather more of a crazy driver than was Sateesh, our previous driver. Haroon had a well rehearsed 'undertaking at speed' manouevre that would see us first undertake one vehicle then overtake the next then undertake the one after, and so on. This driving style would see us gain maybe one kilometre in every hundred but he was happy and we never felt in any truly great danger.
Agra as a town seems a nice enough place. Its not too grubby, the traffic isn't mad, its not too noisy and of course has the Taj Mahal as its principle attraction. Cars aren't allowed down the very narrow streets close to the Taj Mahal so we parked a little way out then took an autorickshaw for the half mile to the main entrance. This short ride was undertaken at breakneck speed through very busy, narrow streets, and saw us mow down a motorcyclist and his female pillion passenger who was, naturally, riding side saddle. Our rickshaw driver stopped for a few seconds to curse the motorcyclist as he lay pinned under his machine and then drove on as if nothing had happened. We have no dea of their fate.
The day of our visit was mild, but misty.We'd hired a guide for 450 rupees and I have to say I would recommend anyone to do so. Insights on the nature and history of the site were welcomed but, more practically, the knowledge of the better vantage points for photographs were a great help. He also took a few snaps of both of us together which, when travelling as a pair, is rarely possible.
It costs 750 rupees to get in, about £10. This by Indian standards is an enormous sum, but its worth every penny. This also gets you a pair of bright red disposable overshoes for once you reach a certain point in the grounds you are required to either don these or go barefoot. It wasn't paticularly tropical so we put on the red shoes.
The only thing I can say about the Taj Mahal is that any photograph or film you may have seen of it will not do it justice. Though the grounds are perhaps smaller than you may imagine the structure itself is truly magnificent and the skill of the craftsmen that built it is apparent in every minute detail. It is wonderful. I'll post some pictures that also will not convey the fabulous beauty of this place.
If you ever get the chance to go then go.
Kathy mislaid her glasses there so first job at the next stop, Jaipur, was an opticians.
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