Agra and the Taj Mahal

Namaste to you all,

Upon leaving Khajuraho we headed to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. The journey was always going to be an interesting one involving buses, taxis and trains, but after 12 hours we were very pleased to reach our destination. Hungry, tired and sweaty we jumped in a rickshaw to our pre-booked hotel.

Keen to see the Taj for the first time we wandered to an area with rooftop restaurants. Much to our surprise the surrounding area is not full of expensive apartments and hotels charging a mint for a glimpse of the Taj. It was infact a skanky scum-hole with below average eating places all in dis-repair - much like the rest of India. Not deterred we headed upstairs to a rooftop eatery and had a wonderful close-up view. The food was average but the two boys come waiters provided much entertainment showing us their hand-stands and how to 'pick up the Taj'.

The next morning we had a short walk to the East gate entrance at 6am to join the other tourists in queuing for tickets. By 6.30am we were in (after placing our torch in a locker for security reasons???) and first saw the world famous monument in all its glory. What a sight for sore eyes! (Shame about those people standing in the way - as yes you are correct, Simon is wearing a t-shirt with a gnome on it!)

The Taj was built by an Emperor as a memorial for his second wife who died giving birth to their 14th chilld in 1631. This left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned grey overnight. 22 years later is was completed after 20,000 people worked on it and at a cost of US$70 million (in today's money). It is constructed from marble and semi-precious stones and apparently looks as spectacular today as it did when it was built! We won't disagree; an incredible building, like no other. The building is totally symmetrical (sorry could't get a birds-eye-view photo to prove it) with her mausoleum being the centre point. And what a day to have seen it on: 07/07/07 and the day it was voted the number 1 of the new seven wonders of the world! Well worth the visit - it was every bit as beautiful as we had imagined.

The view from behind the Taj Mahal:

Off to Kuala Lumpar tomorrow for some relaxing and sun-bathing (well for me anyway!)

Bye for now.

Emma xxx