Agra

    The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, the day we arrived, not quite sure but thems the rules. We are very close to one of the gates and plan on getting up bright and early Saturday to take pictures at Sunrise. I am told moonlight is the best but I think we just missed the moonlight openings so we will have to settle. We went to Agra Fort it is HUGE! We were able to get some great pictures of the Fort and of the Taj Mahal from the distance.

            Woke up too late for Sunrise but still got in before it was too busy. The Taj Mahal is definitely a sight to see. We took about a 100 pictures. You can definitely see the Red Fort and Agra Fort in the design but everything in Taj Mahal is one level better in detail and quality. Security is really high at the Taj Mahal but once in seemed very lax. This was also the first spot where we had to remove our shoes for the majority of the sights. For tourists they provide foot covers so we used those but we still were required to take the shoes off in the mosque. We choose not to go. 

            After  Taj Mahal we went back to the Hotel and had “lunch”. After lunch Priyanka and Raju went and took a nap while Vatsala and I went to figure out our rides for the rest of the day and tomorrow. We decided to take a car instead of the train because of all the issues we had at the Agra station. We also got a car for Faithri Shakuri (Check spelling) and Chowendra. The drive to the first spot was “only” 36 kms. Butttt it took forever to get there. 

           This was the worst experience we had with touts and beggars. At one point Vatsala had to threaten to smack one because he wouldn’t leave us alone. Every few steps we were asked if we wanted a tour, a trinket, or just money from us. When we went to the free religious side of the area it was even worse. Beggars, beggars, and more beggars. Plus plenty of touts. Honestly after Taj Mahal this site wasn’t anything special, it was older and there were a few interesting architecture features but it really didn’t seem to be worth the drive. We then went to Sikandra or Akbar’s Tomb. I have a story about getting in to the site but that will be posted separately. The site itself seemed nice again, older and not as nice as Taj Mahal, the most interesting thing at this site was how plain the actual tomb was. The catacomb was real dark and just plain walls. We then went to dinner and then off to bed. Next stop Lucknow….