The Oasis Hotel Agra

... 8217;t stop the locals. We’re sure, though, that if any foreigner had attempted a photo they would have been pounced upon immediately.

The Taj itself is a wonderful building but the whole experience is marred by the constant jostling of the crowds, the interference of the caretakers and the venality of the authorities who run the Taj. In addition, like much of the rest of Agra, the Taj is enveloped in a pollution ...

... that bright and far to early Wed morning, a hired car was ferrying Komy, Jen, Tripta, Millie, Ali and I were back on the empty roads (definitely Delhi driving at its best) to Connaught Place where we joined by Komy's friends from Cass Business School Thomas (who I had met before) and Antonios (who I very well might have met before but couldn't remember), and Sidd's friend Vivian from Notre Dame business school (power couple much?).

Plopped onto ...

... fountains and gardens up to the white marble mausoleum with incredibly fine detailed inlaid gemstones throughout the exterior and simple interior. Despite the crowds it is still possible to enjoy it mostly quietly and wander parts avoiding most people. Many photos were taken of course from all angles. The view to the river as it sits beside the Yumani river (which joins with the Ganges at Varanasi too) was lovely and the massive Agra Fort is also visible from here. Agra is a ...

People only visit Agra for one reason....the Taj Mahal. If you haven't heard of it look it up, cause I'm not giving you a history of it here. This magnificent structure made of marble that glistens when the sun hits it early in the morning. It costs 750 rupees to visit, making it the most expensive entrance fee for anything in India. But it's the Taj Mahal...it's a must see right??

While we were there, we learned ...

... a peacock costume, which was about as weird as it sounds.
the night finished with one of the dacers setting both ends of his stick on fire and dancing with it, and in the final dance they invited the crowd up to join them. if you ask me, joining in with a traditional dance with people from the other side of the world is not a good look for a tourist. i watched the sunburnt middle-aged europeans lumber round the stage for a while, then we went back to the hotel for dinner.
the ...

... Princess Isabella.)

So let me tell you the true story of the Taj Mahal. Emperor Shah Jahan was ruler of the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. When his wife Mumtaz was taking her last breath, he asked if she had any last wish. “Build me the most beautiful monument of love in the world” was her modest answer. Typical case of “shouldn’t have asked” but now it was too late. Admittedly, saying “ ...

... of the posh hotels for G&Ts in the evening (this is becoming a favourite pastime of Chris, Adam, Ruth and I's), overlooking the Taj Mahal (which we couldn't see because the power was off, ho hum) which was just lovely.

The next morning we all hauled ourselves out of bed at an ungodly hour to see the Taj at sunrise... but it was well worth it. The Taj is a mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his ...

... Finally, it's time. An orderly, hassle free, 3 minute walk and we're on platform 5. But is it our train? We consult with 3 equally confused French men before Emmet takes the initiative and starts striding down the platform in what I hope is the right direction. The train is the length of all the trains in Ireland put together. It's sturdy and blue with yellow letters on the side depicting class, coach and number. Sleeper (unreserved) class looks ...

I travelled to Agra from Delhi by train and met a Danish guy called Morten, who I called Morgan for the next 2 days. We visited the Taj Mahal during sunset along with thousands of other people. This was good. Agra is full of hundreds of really annoying children (of Slumdog Millionaire fame) incessantly ...

... coming from the direction of the roadblock and I realised the police were conducting a lathi charge (that is, indiscriminately hitting anyone in their path with their heavy bamboo sticks). The crowd surged the other way and we fled, as fast as we could, through the crowd and in the direction we thought our guesthouse lay. People were flailing out at one another in the stampede and I was forced to get rough with a few (fortunately weedy) Indians who seemed to be trying to block our ...