Agra

The Taj Mahal

28.02.2011 - 01.03.2011 25 °C
View durbs and max go on a big adventure on max.plotnek's travel map.

Agra. A place where i will hold fond memories of:

1. Birmingham winning a major trophy for the first time since the 50's
2. The Taj Mahal (the 7th wonder of the world)
3. Durbs being more ill than I've ever seen her (including hangovers!)

In that order.

We arrived in Agra after a fairly bogus 6am train from Jaipur. But this was essential when accounting for possible delays and sussing out all the options to watch the Carling Cup Final. This occupied my mind for more than half the time of our first week in India. What if the hotel doesn't have the right channel? What if there's no bars showing it (highly possible given the clash with England v India in the cricket)? What if the internet connection is shit? Thankfully for Sarah (not least due to her being struck down), the 4 star hotel i booked us into had a fantastic internet cafe. Which i massively appreciated when i was jumping around it on my own at just before midnight that Sunday!

Anyway, enough about the only midlands team to win a trophy in the last decade or so.

After a couple of days of laying low, it was time to hit the sites. The Taj Mahal is probably the most amazing building I have ever laid eyes on. It was built by Emporor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his second wife, who sadly passed away giving birth to their 14th child. She must have been amazing in the bedroom as the Taj Mahal is truly magnificent. Its construction commenced in 1631, and took an incredible 8 years to complete (the main building that is). It almost gets better and better the closer you get. The detail and that bright white colour kind of blows you away. The grounds of the Taj have some really peaceful areas away from the crowds (and the constant requests for photos) and we took our time ambling around.

After the Taj, a short rickshaw ride up the road is Agra Fort. The fort dates back to 1565 and was originally a military building, but was later converted to a palace by Shah Jahan. Later still, it became a his prison for 8 years after his son seized power. He held his father in a cell over looking the Taj. That's savage.

A day of site seeing really took the wind out of us and Sarah was still in recovery mode. Plus Agra, in truth, is a hell hole aside from the aforementioned sites. Next stop......McDonalds for a Big Macharaja Burger.