Today we have scheduled sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Our grimy, grotty, bedbug and flea ridden hotel is very close so we only have to get up at 5.00am. I wake up feeling achy and miserable after sleeping in the direct line of the aircon without any covers (if they'd been provided, they would probably have walked off on their own anyway). My lovable roomie, Debbie, wakes up full of the joys of spring and cannot understand my miserable mood. I try to drag myself out of it. Largely unsuccessfully. Breakfast should help. We are ready at 5.30 but no breakfast arrives. We need to leave at 6.00a.m and everyone is chomping at the bit to go but no-one is chomping on their breakfast. As we start to pull away, there is a banging on the bus door and a young man tries to deliver a pile of toast and jam with omelette. Too little, too late and probably toooo risky.
As we go through the main entrance, the Taj Mahal shines in front of us. It is just as stunning as it appears in all the pictures I have seen, and I am happy to gaze across at it for a while as the sun climbs into the sky. Already, the crowds are arriving and everyone is vying for the best spot to take a photo. Haji, our guide for the day, takes us over to one side to explain the story behind this beautiful structure and shows us where to get the best shot. Then we are left to wander down and round the gardens and mausoleum. Despite the beauty and tranquillity of the location, my mood remains low for a while. From the Taj Mahal we move on to the Red Fort from where we are able to look back at Taj Mahal. By the time, we have finished at the Red Fort, we are all hot and tired and most retire to their rooms for a snooze. I power nap for an hour and wake up feeling much improved. Most of the group decide they are 'forted out' and give the afternoon tour a miss, but for me there is no option as I cannot bear another minute in the 'hotel'.
There are only 8 of us and I take the opportunity to get to know our guide a bit better. Haji, is a committed Moslem, of Arab and Persian heritage, engaged at 14 and married at 18 to a wife he had never seen until the day of his wedding. He is extremely proud of his 8 children and their achievements. On the way to and from the fort he tells me all about life in India today from his perspective. At the end of the journey I have learnt far more about the country than all the previous days put together. Added to which, Fatehpur Sikri is a beautiful and peaceful location out in the countryside and I arrive back at the hotel refreshed and ready to take on India again.
As we go through the main entrance, the Taj Mahal shines in front of us. It is just as stunning as it appears in all the pictures I have seen, and I am happy to gaze across at it for a while as the sun climbs into the sky. Already, the crowds are arriving and everyone is vying for the best spot to take a photo. Haji, our guide for the day, takes us over to one side to explain the story behind this beautiful structure and shows us where to get the best shot. Then we are left to wander down and round the gardens and mausoleum. Despite the beauty and tranquillity of the location, my mood remains low for a while. From the Taj Mahal we move on to the Red Fort from where we are able to look back at Taj Mahal. By the time, we have finished at the Red Fort, we are all hot and tired and most retire to their rooms for a snooze. I power nap for an hour and wake up feeling much improved. Most of the group decide they are 'forted out' and give the afternoon tour a miss, but for me there is no option as I cannot bear another minute in the 'hotel'.
There are only 8 of us and I take the opportunity to get to know our guide a bit better. Haji, is a committed Moslem, of Arab and Persian heritage, engaged at 14 and married at 18 to a wife he had never seen until the day of his wedding. He is extremely proud of his 8 children and their achievements. On the way to and from the fort he tells me all about life in India today from his perspective. At the end of the journey I have learnt far more about the country than all the previous days put together. Added to which, Fatehpur Sikri is a beautiful and peaceful location out in the countryside and I arrive back at the hotel refreshed and ready to take on India again.