Day 5 Taj Mahal

After checkout at the motel our convoy started the journey from Delhi to Agra. I couldn't believe that there is now a freeway! Not 5 hours of closing your eyes hoping to make it through the weaving of traffic, cows and people! So much more pleasant. Our drivers have been fantastic and we are thankful for that. Always looking out for us. 

On arrival in Agra we picked up our guide Vijay whom I had already met and we made our way to the checkin to the motel Radisson Blu. Motel lovely - coffee freakin expensive! Vanessa paid $6.50 for one. She can confirm it was nice though. We had a quick (not in delivery) bite to eat and made our way to the Taj. Even though I have had the pleasure of seeing it 3 times now it doesn't fade in impact or significance. 

The girls just loved it and I asked them to sum up the Taj in one word - Majestic, magical, surreal, amazing, 

Waiting to go in.... It was hot and there were lots of people. Ok maybe a million people!  Thankfully we had our guide because without him we would not have been able to go. We lined up for our photos and this could not have been done with no guide. 

Hardly any people in this photo! Illusion. 

Our cartoon line up recreated! Vijay cut off Carlie's leg kick. 

Isla and Lynnie were in photo demand again. Isla wasn't impressed with all the demands from those requesting her photo so she decided to do this;

Had to laugh. She has been so good. 

This gives an idea of the people. 

Bronwyn makes us laugh all day! 

I will add some more photos in of everyone this morning. 

So we don't have to line up to get into the building to see the tomb replicas BUT as we are going in there is seriously a stampede. We knew we had to get out of there ASAP. It was scary and I don't understand why the guards let it happen but we just had to somehow get out. How Isla didn't scream hysterically I don't know. We all look out for each other and grabbed each other and followed vijay out. There was no physical way we could have stayed in without someone being hurt. 

It didn't affect our experience and certainly gave us added memories but I don't want to have that happen again. 

On our way back to the main gate we have to either get a camel cart or battery car. Kim S isn't fond of camels so car it was. The young hawkers come up to you and as we drove off this little boy was running after us trying to sell a snow dome Taj. He ran so fast and just didn't stop that Vanessa had to pull him on the back of it and yes buy snow domes. He deserved it. Bronwyn videoed it. Amazing. 

We then made our way to an emporium owned by a close friend of Neil Pinto and he had told him we were coming. We arrived to special treatment and kingfisher beer! I don't drink beer often but it was nice. 

Some of the items for same there are absolutely incredible. 

On arrival back at the motel we went to an award winning authentic Indian restaurant which was lovely. 

Vanessa and Bronwyn saw an astrologer and were very impressed with the reading. The rest of us fell into her and didn't move. 

Off to Jaipur this morning after we see Agra Fort. 

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