Taj at Sunrise / Agra Fort
Trip Start
Oct 14, 2005
1
9
21
Trip End
Oct 31, 2005
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Agra,
India
Friday, October 21, 2005
We had a 5:30am wake up call this morning, and a 6am departure to see the sun rise at the Taj Mahal. It was a delightful experience even though the sky was cloudy at the moment the sun rose, so we didn't get the full array of color change that normally happens as the sun gets higher and higher. But by the time we left at 8am the sun had risen above the haze and we had a bright blue background for our photos.
The interior is only dimly lit, so it was difficult to make out all the fantastic details in the early light, but what we could see was amazing. The guide would put a penlight up to the carnelion stone portion of the design. It would be a flower or something, and each petal -- as small as it was -- would consist of about 40 tiny stones compressed together, so the light would go through and reflect, whereas the onyx and lapis lazuli (sp?) wouldn't allow light to pass through
01 Taj at Sunrise
. There was an intricately patterned grill erected around the cenotaphs of the ruler and his wife. Each panel of the grill was about 6 ft by 6 ft square, and constructed out of a single piece of marble, so if one mistake was made in the design it would all have to be thrown out and started from scratch again. It took them 11 years just to complete these works of art in themselves.We had free time to wander the property, and then returned to the hotel for breakfast. Upon arrival Trevor Bunny (love the name) was presented a large bouquet of flowers for his 47th birthday, which is today. Later we are throwing a party at the pool which will feature a magician. I told everyone not to miss the 7pm party since we were going to the pool to learn a new dance called the "bunny hop." When they show up I'll make some sort of lame joke about the magician pulling the bunny out of the hat. It will be fun, I'm sure.
After breakfast we had some free time to shower up since we had such an early morning, and then went to visit the Agra Fort, on the other side of the river from the Taj. On the way the guide took us to a factory where they do fantastic inlaid work on marble table-tops and vases. These guys, who are all quite well to do, spent at least $15,000 amongst them purchasing these amazing works of art
02 Breakthrough
. I think my guide (who gets some sort of percentage of the profit) was very happy indeed. I got a beautiful marble box as a gift for bringing them all this bounty.The fort was amazing, and had great views back to the Taj. We got back to the hotel at 1:30pm for lunch and a completely free afternoon. Everyone needs this down time. I think there is a little pool party going on right now, and I'd better make an appearance, although with all the incredible food I've been eating in the past week I really don't feel like I should remove any articles of clothing! I was going to skip lunch, but one of my regular clients insisted on taking me to the really nice restaurant here at the hotel, and of course I had to EAT! At least I had fresh fruit for appetizer (with whipping cream and coconut flakes), and then little "toasties" -- a variety of toasted sandwiches, one of which had some sort of ginger inside that was amazing. It was the cold coffee with ice cream at the end that has me feeling like a whale at the moment.
We've been hearing all sorts of rumors that perhaps it is Dick Cheney who is going to be indicted in the Plame affair, that he will resign, and that perhaps Condi Rice will be the new Vice Prez? What is going on over there? I leave the country alone for one moment, and riots break out in Ohio, the former majority leader of the House has an arrest warrant issued (?) and now the VP? Is there any truth to any of this?
I may just go to bed after dinner tonight since we have another early start tomorrow. We're off to the National Park to see tigers (we hope). I'll write again later if I'm not too tired. Otherwise, it might be a couple of days since I don't have any idea how internet service will be in the countryside.
Hugs,
Dan
