After breakfast we drove two hours to the Taj Mahal in Agra. I have seen it twice before, but that didn't stop my heart rate increasing and my breath catching as I approached through the gate. It is truly stupendous. Last time I was here there were people all over but they seem to be limiting attendance now so you can actually enjoy the surrounding gardens and get a sense of peace, if not privacy. This is actually a tomb built by Emperor Shahjehan between 1631 and 1653 for his wife, who died in childbirth. It is built of marble and originally was studded with precious stones, but you don't see those now.
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| The Taj Mahal |
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| Red Fort |
Across the way is the Red Fort, also built by Emperor Shahjehan, between 1638 and 1648. Sadly, he was later imprisoned there by his son until his death, and he could see the Taj Mahal from his room.
We visited a marble factory in Agra. The workers are supposedly descendants of the original builders of the Taj Mahal.
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| Inlaid marble for sal |
After a four hour drive, we arrived at the Oberoi Hotel in Delhi. We could have anything we wanted from the dinner menu, so I opted for filet mignon and my friend got rack of lamb. This is a five star hotel, but, again, we got there late and leave at 5 a.m. for the airport, so can't appreciate it much.
We flew directly to Kochin and left India that evening, on our way to Mauritius.
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