| 6th June 2006 Met our driver at 7.30am and started out to Agra. The roads were quieter than I thought they'd be, but still don't understand the road rules - are there any? We drove for a hair raising 5 hours in blistering heat, with dust and exhaust fumes coming through the windows, past several accidents, camels pulling loads and dodging through the traffic (I canot describe what this was like). 40km from Agra we stopped at Fatehpur Sikri, now a ghost city, but former imperial capital of the great Moghul emperor Akbar. We went inside the Jami Masjid mosque (as it was free) and Terry looked around while I stayed in the shade trying to get rid of the boys that wanted to talk about cricket and then wanted money! Quite an impressive building, but far too hot to appreciate it and after the car ride, just wanted a shower before sight seeing! Back in the car, we drove on to Agra and checked into a hotel for our shower! We were then driven to Agra Fort and spent a couple of hours walking around and having our photo taken by the Indian tourists! Caught our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal in the distance. As we left we realised that we hadn't waited for our change at the ticket counter, so went back not expecting to get it, but they were very nice and the man remembered Teryr and gave him the money - we were amazed!! Back out of the gates we were hassled to buy a mini chess set, couldn't get rid of the man - thought he was going to get in the car with us!! Gave in and paid just over a pound for it - at least we have something to do!! Went for dinner and then back to our room, where we watched TV and played chess and then sturggled to sleep as the fan did nothing for the heat and we were eaten by mosquitos!! 7th June 2006 Having only just got to sleep it, it felt like, the alarm went off and we got up, had breakfast and were driven to the Taj Mahal by 8am. Spent 4 hours walking around it and the gardens - it was stunning. You can see why it's one of the seven wonders. Such intricate carvings in the marbles. Had yet more photos taken of us and then escaped to sit in the shade of the gardens, with the Taj Mahal behind us. So peaceful sitting watching chipmunks and a mongoose and all the birds! So easy to forget about all the hard parts of India. Took some last photos and gazed at the Taj to cement the image in our minds and then trudged back to our driver, wishing we wouldn't get hassled so much!! Already dripping with sweat we had the long journey back to Delhi! Our driver's brother and cousin are firefighters in Delhi, so he stopped off at a firestation, so that Terry could have a look round and chat with the firemen. Then it was back to our lovely hotel, past the urninal, and dinner on the rooftop!! 8th June 2006 Had a lie in - far too hot here (40/41 degrees), hard to motivate oneself!! Have just updated the diary, so spent most of the day on the internet. Terry had his hair cut for 40 Rupees (less than 50p)!! I had my legs waxed, but not very well! Wouldn't go higher than half way up my thigh and rather than lying down I was in a hair dressers chair, so to do the backs I had to kneel on the chair!!! All very weird, especially as the whole family was watching and the little boy kept pointing out bits of waxed left on my legs!! ............ |