India's Golden Triangle - Fatehpur Sikri

After stopping to photograph the buffalos, we made our way to Fatehpur Sikri, a red sandstone city built in the 16th century. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire but only lived in for 11 years.










We had lunch on the way at an ex Maharaja's palace, now a hotel. Saw the Nilgai, an Indian antelope on the way to our lunch stop.







After lunch, I was given the opportunity to sit at the front of the coach on the long journey to Jaipur. Good for photos but not for the nerves. The traffic laws are similar to those in the UK but no one heeds them. It is quite normal to see vehicles driving the wrong way in the dual carriageway. Shankar told us it is because they don't want to take the long way around!

India's Golden Triangle - Agra

So to the third stage of our tour - Agra. After a short but pleasant train ride on the Shatabdi Express we arrived in Agra early and went straight to the Agra Fort.

This is what they were photographing.





The first view of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort.






Shankar and some of our group.





After the fort we went to a marble factory and were shown how the gems were placed into the marble exactly as they were when Agra Fort and Taj Mahal were decorated. Red the dragon had to have a go on an elephant.

The torch under the marble demonstrates how the gems show up similar to moonlight on Taj Mahal.




The first sighting of an elephant outside the entrance to the Taj Mahal.


We then went to the Mughal Sheraton for lunch and check in. A very badly managed hotel where none of the staff seemed to know what was going on. Not a hotel I would return to.

The Taj Mahal was our destination for the afternoon. I didn't realise what an effect this monument would have on me. I was quite choked up on the first view through the arch and unusually for me, didn't speak for awhile. Others in the group said they felt the same way. It was very crowded so I didn't try to keep the people out of my photos.




Shankar arranged a group photo which I have had scanned in.








Shoes of the doorman at the Sheraton.

On the way to Fatehpur Sikri, the next day, we stopped at this buffalo water hole. The villagers have to take the buffalo to water once a day.