Agra India, 5th to 6th November 2011

After a 6 hour drive we arrived in Agra, we checked into our hotel and where once again treated to the biggest suite in the place!
We had no time to waste however and headed straight for the Taj Mahal in good time to watch the sunset. We arrived at the gate and realised that no cars are allowed within 3KM's of it as the pollution and heat do not treat it well. We bought our hugely over priced tourist tickets and waited for an electric bus to take us to the entrance. Once we where off the bus instantly we where hounded by touts and shop owners to buy cheap rubbish from them for stupid prices - obviously we refused.

We where them treated to a body search in separate male and female lines and I must say it was a little close to comfort! Even though there where thousands of people there the sight of the Taj Mahal is truly breath taking and you are able to find small corners where you can almost feel as if you have the place to yourself.

We walked around the grounds and viewed it from all angles, we decided to avoid the crowds who where close up to the building and find a quiet spot on the grass to watch it change colours with the fading light of the day- and even I have to say it was pretty romantic and I sneaked a kiss from Leanne.

The next morning we went to Agra fort, but it was a little disappointing but only in comparison to some of the other forts we had already seen. We still strolled in the grounds and enjoyed the views and the warmth of the morning sun - this was however briefly interrupted by the fact that we gave our driver a 50 pound tip and he said it was not enough!

We just laughed this off and made our way to the train station to wait for our 40 hour train to Southern India and the state of Kerela. After a really brief goodbye Girish was gone and we where on our own once again - it was sad that our experiences with him ended on a sour note but we still had a good time overall. Our next stop Fort Cochin.

To see our photos from Agra please click on the link below;
https://picasaweb.google.com/112941139607408893724/AgraIndia5thTo6thNovember2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCLHY9OjRxc61Xg#