We had wake-up calls at the unearthly hour of 4am so that we could complete packing bags to leave at the hotel and overnight bags for our three day trip and be ready to leave by 5am. Even at that hour the roads were crowded with traffic as our coach took us to Delhi station, which itself was packed with people. Fortunately we had reserved seats on the Shatabdi Express for Agra, as the train was also packed. This is apparently one of India's premier trains, which was comfortable enough, but nothing special by our standards. The journey was fine with only occasional stops.
At Agra we went straight to out hotel for breakfast and wee soon on our way again for our highlight visit to the Taj Mahal. We were taken to a sort of cycle rickshaw 'park and ride' for transport to the site of the Taj Mahal. Anna and I were careful to ensure our rickshaw's chain was firmly in place.
We arrive at the site and catch a glimpse of the Taj Mahal through the archway.
It is difficult not to feel emotional when first seeing fully this breathtaking monument built by Shah Jahan in memory of his dead wife. Kapil said he has been coming here for 15 years, perhaps as many as 300 visits, and he catches his breath each time.
Kapil told us the love story of the young Shah Jahan strolling through the Meena Bazaar and seeing a beautiful girl hawking silk and glass beads. It was love at first sight. He was 14 and she 15. He went back to court and told his father he had seen the girl he wanted to marry. 5 years later the match was solemnised. When he later became emperor he bestowed upon her the title Mumtaz Mahal, "Jewel of the Palace". She bore him 13 children but died during the birth of the 14th child. On her deathbed he promised Mumtaz that he would not remarry and would build the richest mausoleum over her grave. It is said that Shah Jahan was so heartbroken he ordered the court into mourning for two years. He started building this beautiful monument to his beloved which took 22,000 workers over 22 years and bankrupted him.
The marble walls are carved with delicate motifs inlaid with precious stones such as lapis lazuli, emeralds, agate and mother of pearl.
Each side has a mosque - again built in the traditional style.
One has to just sit and gaze and reflect.
Truly beautiful.
Clodagh should be here.
After a return cycle rickshaw ride back to our coach, on to an exhibition of marble semi precious stone mosaic work that made one realise quite how much had gone into building the Taj Mahal.
After lunch on to the fort at Agra. This is really a fortified royal palace and was built by the Emperor Akbar.
It precedes the Taj Mahal by nearly a century and is a magnificent structure in its own right.
It's massive and forbidding reddish-brown exterior houses many fascinating buildings such as the women's building, Jahangir Mahal
The beautiful mosque, Moti Masjid (the pearl mosque) in the distance from the arcaded hall, Diwan-i-Aam.
Shish Mahal, built by ShahJahan as a summer palace and believed to be the dressing room for the Emperor's harem.
And a view from the fort - a reminder of this morning's visit.
After a long and memorable day, back to the hotel for dinner and preparation for another early departure tomorrow.
Robert Cole
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