India Day 8 - Agra & Ranthambore

Today was Taj Mahal Day! Our start time ended up being perfect. The skies were blue and the sun was shining. Today's weather conditions were so much better than yesterday's hazy skies. There were many people there of course, but it got much more crowded as we were leaving.

There are 4 huge, red sandstone gates. Again, we got an explanation, time for photography then moved on. It was quite breathtaking as we entered the complex and saw the Taj laid us before us with its pools of water in the foreground. A professional photographer followed us around and took photos of anyone who wanted him to. I had mine done and they were ready as 5x7 prints as we got on our bus. I know it is corny but I wanted a 'touching the top of the Taj' photo (to go along with my 'pushing the Leaning Tower of Pisa' photo!).

I thought there were only pools of water near the beginning of the complex, but there are many rectangular pools and fountains too. It was a great way to get good shots without people right in front of you. There was much jockeying for position though, and some people were quite rude.

Before you can go into the Taj, you must either take your shoes off, or wear shoe covers to avoid scratching the marble floors. The outside of the building is just magnificent. It took 10,000 workers 22 years to build this monument to the emperor's wife. She is buried underground I the very center and his tomb was added off to the side after he died. It is very dark inside and there are 'no photography' signs everywhere. However people were ignoring the signs and taking pictures anyway.

There are 4 tall towers on the 4 corners of the platform and they were in the process of cleaning them. The scaffolding wasn't very esthetically pleasing but 'it is what it is'. The towers were designed to lean outward slightly so that if they should ever fall, the main structure wouldn't be damaged. The monument was located on the banks of a river near a curve where the current tends to be slower.

I was worried that our allotted time wouldn't be enough. But it was. There are only so many photos you can take without repeating yourself. At 10:30, we left the area, bought a few souvenirs and headed out of Agra. With a population of 1.2 million, it was slow going.

For lunch we ate outdoors again and it was quite lovely. I find that the restaurant taxes here to be quite high and a tip is added onto that. But I'm glad to pay well for 'safe' food after me experience in Peru. So far, so good.

As we travel through the cities, countryside, towns and village I have noticed that the percentage of women out and about is very low. There are probably 10 men for every woman I see walking about. And when we pass a bus of one type or another, it's about 99% full of men. So different! Motorcycle/scooter transport is very common in India and there is usually one or two additional riders, sometimes even three (father, mother and two children!).

Another thing I don't see is cats, only dogs - LOTS of them. I've only actually seen one kitty cat since I got here. Monkeys are a common sight, even at the Taj Mahal. They seem cute to us but I am sure they are pests.

We've made a stop for toilets and another stop at some 'step wells'. There is water at the very bottom of a series of very steep steps in a square formation. There were pieces of statues around the outside of the courtyard. I climbed up to the top to take photos only to be told I wasn't allowed up there. It was fun while it lasted!

Instead of getting on back in the bus, we got the chance to visit to visit a potter across the way. He was a master at forming various types of pots. The women in this area wear very colourful outfits. The potter's wife was no exception and I got some good shots of them and their home.

We now have a long drive and KV has brought out some Indian rum! He is playing songs from people's phones. Party time!! We arrived at our Ranthambore Park hotel around 10 pm. Supper was an included buffet and we ate quickly and went to our rooms. Late night, early morning safari!

India Day 7 - Agra

After a good sleep my foot is better, and so am I. Start time was a pleasant 9 am today. We made a stop at an ATM machine as most everywhere we go takes cash only. There is a limit of 10,000 rupees per day that can be taken out. That sounds like a lot, but it is only about $200 CDN.  

We also stopped for a delicious morning chai. Chai means tea so there is no need to say chai tea like we do at home. That is like saying 'tea tea'. 

We headed on to Agra's Red Fort which is similar to the one in Delhi, but better preserved. It is quite extensive and is divided up into various sections. KV would explain what we were seeing, give us time for photos, then move on to the next area. 

Soon we got to a courtyard where we saw the Taj Mahal for the first time! Excitedly we all brought our cameras up to eye level, only to be disappointed with the results. It was so hazy, the camera couldn't record the spectacle no matter what setting was used. It is so dry here and there is so much dust in the air. It looks like air pollution but it isn't that. 

The architecture of Agra's Red Fort is wonderful and the history is fascinating. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who ordered the Taj Mahal built for his favorite wife, was imprisoned here. He spent his last days in the Fort, unable to see the Taj due to failing eyesight. 

The Taj Mahal is known for its pietra dura craftsmanship. That is where tiny pieces of various types of semi-precious stones are cut and inlaid into marble. We visited a shop that makes and sells this type of work and watched it being made.

After the demo, we were ushered into the showroom. There were large table-sized pieces on display only and not for sale. The owner showed us 2 coasters and asked us to guess the price. One looked fancier and more colourful so we guessed that was pricier. Of course it was a trick question. The price is dependent on how small the inlaid pieces are and how detailed the design is. 

It was difficult to choose something but I fell in love with the cut out holes that looked like lattice work and bought a small round container with a lid. I will either use it as a jewelry box or possibly for a tea light. 

Lunch was as a beautiful outdoor restaurant and it was most pleasant in the shade. I ordered a sample platter and it came with 7 or 8 little dishes filled with various meats, sausages, sauces, and a sweet treat that turned out to be pumpkin. It also came with lassi, a yogurt-like drink which was a combination of both sweet and sour. I liked it. 

We returned to the hotel for an hour's break, but first KV took me to a pharmacy as,I wanted to get some aspirin. There were about 3 shack-type of buildings with counters all along the front. You told the guy what you wanted and he went and got it for you. For 12 - 150mg aspirin, I paid roughly 18 cents CDN!

After a break, we visited Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, otherwise known as 'Baby Taj'. It has been built with an eye to symmetry and the number 4. There are 4 entrance gate, although only one is used now. The main building consists of 4 imposing towers on each corner. The outside walls have inlaid marble designs which are appreciated all the more after the visit to the marble showroom earlier. 

We couldn't go to the Taj today because it is closed on Fridays but there is a park right across the river from it where you can photograph the entire structure. The atmosphere was still hazy but it was the Taj Mahal and it is magnificent! Tomorrow we go even closer!

I didn't go with the group for supper tonight because I didn't want a big sit-down long meal. Instead, Flat Stanley and I went across the busy road to...McDonalds! I had heard that their Big Macs are called chicken Maharaja Macs and I wanted to try one. It was surprising good and it was spicy too! There were lots of vegetables on it including peppers - the hot kind. My mouth was burning and I needed the Diet Coke to cool my mouth down.

After my supper, I discovered that the restaurant was attached to a shopping Center and there were a few stores open. I bought some tea for gifts, a pillow cover and a marble tea light holder. 

Tonight I am sleeping with a heavy chair propped up against my door. Last night, one person in the group did the same thing and heard someone enter his room at 5:30 am. The door locks with a key from the inside and there is no chain or other device to bar entry.