The Mighty Taj Mahal
Trip Start
Sep 26, 2008
1
11
13
Trip End
Oct 22, 2008
Agra,
Uttar Pradesh,
India
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Andrew and I started the first of our many train trips on Saturday October 11, yet another early start which was a killer for me - we were on our train by 6 am. We had a comfortable 2-hour trip on a/c chair class, and was even given breakfast which we weren't expecting! We arrived in Agra and secured a pre-paid autorickshaw with a wonderful man named Kiki, who convinced us to be our guide for the rest of the day. We had pre-booked a hotel room metres from the east entrance of the Taj Mahal to store our luggage for the day and to freshen up in before catching a train to Jaipur at the end of the day. This was a very smart move as it was very hot and it was great to have the Taj so close to just walk to. Kiki took us out for about 4 hours showing us the sites of Agra, which were way more interesting than we were expecting. We got to see stuff that only a local could show us, this included going to watch MEN washing laundry in the river and saris laid out to dry for miles . . . what a colourful site that was! We visited the "baby" Taj which was amazing, and we were taken to a wonderful spot which gave us great views of the back of the "big" Taj Mahal :) Andrew and I visited the Taj Mahal between 2 and 4 pm, which our guide said would be a great time because the smog would be gone and the skies blue, he was right - but it was very very hot!! We really enjoyed Agra and put that down to the fact we found such a helpful guide with such good English. We caught a train from Agra to Jaipur late afternoon, and that was an experience to behold, ask us about this later! We arrived at our hotel in Jaipur after 11 pm and were thrilled that it exceeded expections - it was absolutely beautiful, and one of the cheapest places we booked on our whole trip. We had dinner about 11.30 pm - we've got used to eating very late now - you will be proud of me Prince :) So there ends another day in the life of our trip to India - I think I'll go have a hot chai masala drink now :)
