A few weeks ago, I went to one of the most amazing places I have seen. Where did I go?? To see the Taj Mahal! Joe had a business trip planned in India. I joined him in Delhi on a Friday night and spent three great days in India. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it was an exciting and jam-packed three days. It was only a six-hour direct flight from KL.
I knew I wanted a tour to see the Taj Mahal. That was my main reason for going to India. A couple of friends talked me into staying at the Oberoi in Agra. I tried to book a Viator tour to Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, but they all returned to Delhi. I then went on TripAdvisor and saw a tour company in Delhi that came highly recommended, called Let's Go India. I emailed Ramesh at ramesh@letsgoindia.com. I told him I needed a car and driver to Agra, a tour guide in Agra, a ride back to Delhi the next day, and a tour guide and driver for Monday. I have never had such prompt and efficient customer service! Ramesh laid out an itinerary for me and gave me a good price. I was in touch with him all three days in India, and he always answered quickly. I can't recommend this tour company enough!
Joe and I were picked up promptly at our hotel on Saturday morning. We drove about 4 hours to Agra. There is a 'new' highway between Delhi and Agra. It used to be a much longer and less comfortable trip. Now I gotta be honest. As much as I loved seeing the Taj Mahal, I did not love this drive. Every driver we were with in India admitted how bad Indian drivers are. They drive in any lane, sometimes between lanes. They tailgate. They cut people off. They stop too quickly, etc. This is not too bad where one is in the city, going 20 mph. But when one continues this same driving behavior going 65 mph, it is a whole other experience. A scary one.
We finally made it to Agra (in one piece.) The main street through town (I say town but Agra has almost 2 million people!) was pretty narrow, really one lane each direction. Well, theoretically one lane. We saw all sorts of animals, vehicles, and people on the road and beside the road.
Not exactly sure what kind of cattle this was beside our car. We also saw goats, monkeys, donkeys, horses, dogs, pigs, and caged chickens along the road!
It was very common to see a woman riding 'side-saddle' behind a man on a motorcycle. I even saw this on the highway! Sometimes there will even be a child or two.
The first place we went to in Agra was our hotel, the Oberoi. It was a splurge, but so worth it for one night!
A view of the Taj Mahal from the lobby. Actually, every room in the hotel has the same view.
The view of the pool from our balcony
Our tour guide, Islam, got us from our lobby and we began our afternoon in Agra at the Agra Fort. What an amazing place! Don't let the word 'fort' misguide you. It is more of a walled city with several beautiful palaces and ancient administrative buildings inside. Just wait till you see the view.
Now Islam considered himself an accomplished photographer. I am warning you now that there are many more pictures of me in this blog post than I would ever wish on anyone. But he knew exactly how to pose us and where to get the best pictures. They are pretty great. (I think after this picture, he started taking my camera bag from me. Like I said, he is good.)
He knew to stand far enough back that the Taj Mahal filled up this window.
At the end of his life, Shah Jahan (who built the Taj Mahal in loving memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal) was deposed and detained by his son at Agra Fort. Legend says he died, looking at the Taj Mahal. There is sooooo much history just in Agra. I couldn't begin to tell all the things I learned.
I loved the colorful clothing of the Indian women.
Islam at work again!
Beautiful arches
The next place we visited was this mausoleum, also know as 'Baby Taj'. Both buildings are made of white marble, both are identical on all four sides, and both were built as tombs.
The exterior walls were so intricate.
The next stop on our tour took us to Mehtab Bagh, or Moonlight Garden. It was built in 1652, across the river from TM.
I love this picture of some of the local women working in the garden. I have never felt so tall! They were more that happy to have their picture taken, but they did ask for a 'tip'.
The Taj Mahal across the river
After the garden, we headed back to our hotel. It was amazing itself, and we wanted to spend some time enjoying it. We had a drink on the balcony then had an excellent dinner. The service at his hotel was like none other I have ever experienced. They went out of their way to make your stay special. Joe and I were celebrating our 32nd anniversary a little early on this trip. When this waiter found out, he brought us a little gift as we finished dinner. The gift was a lantern!
He lit a candle that heated the air inside the lantern. When the time was right, we were to make a wish and release the lantern. Do you remember in the Disney movie Tangled, where all those lanterns were released? This is the same thing. (Actually the Lantern Festival is a real thing in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Something Joe and I plan plan on doing this fall.)
The picture is a little fuzzy, but up it goes!!
Now it is Sunday, and on to the trip I had been waiting for!! Islam collected us from the lobby of our hotel at 6:00 am. Our hotel, being right down the road, provided fancy golf carts for the short distance to the 'VIP' entrance. Sunrise is the best time to see the Taj Mahal, so I am told. And as you are there at least a couple of hours and there is very little shade, I agree that it is the best time. This impressive structure is 'just' a gate.
I don't remember what had me amused, but I can guess what Joe is thinking here. "How many more pictures do I have to pose for??" :) The answer is LOTS!
There was lots of marble inlaid with semi-precious stones
and carved marble.
So, Islam was not only good about posing us in the best spots, but he was also very good at shooing people out of the shot. Trust me, there were plenty of people around! By the way, we are wearing shoe covers. Our ticket, as a non-Indian, entitled us to shoe covers.
It was a bit disappointing that three of the four minarets were covered in scaffolding. But this sign was a reminder that it was all for the benefit of future visitor.
Here is a group of Indian women, looking for their shoes, since they did not get shoe covers.
I loved this picture of the succession of openings. And my shirt matched. :)
After a couple of hours, we headed back to our hotel for breakfast. We packed up and checked out of our hotel, and headed back to Delhi. It was a magical 24 hours in Agra, and I loved every minute of it!
