For once a genuine wonder of the world - The Taj Mahal

During our trip we have been to numerous places claiming to be the '8th wonder of the world', so to actually be at a bonafide one was a new experience.

We got comically lucky with our accommodation, god (unspecified) was smiling at us when we stumbled across the Taj Resort, and Green View Restaurant, and managed to negotiate a price that was half what we had been quoted for rooms elsewhere because it was clean and tidy, was run by genuinely friendly staff that weren't just sycophants after baksheesh (tips) and most importantly was the closest hotel to the quiet east gate to the Taj.

We were immediately accosted by a roving Indian TV Crew, who were keen to interview us. For some reason they wanted our views on the 'current world crisis' and proceeded to ask us a series of very vague questions about the state of the economy

We were a little surprised to find that Agra is a complete poo hole. Very little of the millions of Rupees that this world famous attraction generates is finding its way to the people of Agra, or to the upkeep of its streets and buildings. there was even a family living under a tarpaulin shack about 100m from the East gate. Shocker given the money that is being made.

Our first glimpse of the Taj came from the exageratedly monikered Taj View Nature Walk. It did possess fine views of the Taj, but there really wasnt much nature on offer. Just from a distance the beauty of the place really moved even cynics like us. We then got locked in the gardens for the next 2 hours while some VIPS could visit the Taj privately ( how annoyed would you be if you had just spent 750 Rupees on a ticket and they shut it) These guys must have been important as they actually had bodyguards running at the front of their bus to take any bullets that would come their way! We had front row seats, it was great. While locked up with nothing to do we met Subrata and his lovely wife and her parents who has since become a cyber friend to us. Lovely family, it was very nice to meet you. Thanks again for the chai!

That evening was spent on a rooftop in the shitty town watching the sun set over the mighty Taj. They do not light it up so it really does just fade away. Quite breathtaking.

So the next day was our early wake up to see the Taj. 5.30am start to be confronted with queues and the fact that they didn't open the gates until AFTER sunrise. So we were in bad moods. However, these disappeared on seeing the Taj. It truly is magnificent and it is impossible to describe how beautiful and picture like it is. The photos can hopefully do the talking. The changes in colour in the morning light were just amazing. We think the fact that the only backdrop you see on entering is the sky is what makes it so great. A very clever feat of engineering.

Ed doing his standard morning meditation



Silly photo shoot style pics, we had 3 hours to kill!

There is a story with the below photo. Yet again we were being sneakily photographed by these Indians in the picture. They seemed to be summoning up the courage to ask for a photo and were amazed when we asked for one back. The man stood up after the photo, put his arm around his wife and announced "SHE IS.... MY WIFE" in an identical voice to Borat. It was hilarious and so sweet. You kind of had to be there but if you see us when we get home, get Ed to do an impression and I guarantee you will find it funny.

These lovely ladies (?) were the security guards

Street traffic of water buffaloes, random but we wil sort of miss it when we get home.