2-4-20 DELHI—AGRA, INDIA: We left The Claridges early for trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal. There were a couple comfort stops and a few stops to see sarus cranes in the fields. We drove southeast, more or less following the Yamuna river. The topography is flat and mostly agricultural—wheat and canola oil plants—and with frequent kilns for firing bricks, marked by tall chimneys. There were haystacks, which haven’t seen for a long time. Gasoline is $4 per gallon, and 100 Rupees are $0.66.
Sarus Cranes, I think we were told that they are the tallest, flying birds.
Wheat field with deer.
We reached Agra, still with Harry the guide. The road to the hotel was lined with small shops and houses, many of them hovels, selling whatever in the muddy front yard, often dried cow poop patties, used as fuel for cooking fires, as the stock in trade. Bunches of half-clothed kids played in the yards with sleeping dogs and wandering cows and thieving monkeys on the roof.
After a mile on that road, the van stopped and made a sharp right turn into the gated and guarded hotel entrance. What a contrast! The grounds are a beautiful park with manicured lawns, trimmed hedges, flowering shrubs, water fountains and pools with lily pads. There was a swimming pool and athletic fields. The marble lobby was spacious, a group of five girls went through, a rainbow of a gauzy, revealing gowns, part of a wedding party taking place at the hotel.
From the roof of the hotel, Val and I got a glimpse of the Taj and the wedding pavilion.
ITC Mughal Hotel lobby.
Wedding Pavilion. Wedding prep going on with loud music playing. The next morning lots of people were looking like they had been up all night.
Hotel grounds.
After lunch we set out on the tours, first to the Agra Fort,, a huge red brick structure, home to the Mughal Shahs until the capital was moved to Delhi. We toured the residence and harem building and gardens. The fort is directly across the river from The Taj Mahal.
Entrance to the Agra Fort.
Some inlay work in the residence.
Awed tourists.
Harem gardens.
Decorative stonework at the favorite queen's residence.
After the Fort we crossed the river and toured the iconic Taj Mahal. We stayed and caught a nice sunset. It is another Mosque so it’s shoes off again. It’s also the tomb of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and the Shah himself. The detail craftsmanship and inlay work uses many colored minerals and stones.
We've all seen pictures, but it's very impressive in person.
We did the whole tour and stayed for the sunset.
After the Taj, it was back to the hotel for dinner.
Sarus Cranes, I think we were told that they are the tallest, flying birds.
Wheat field with deer.
We reached Agra, still with Harry the guide. The road to the hotel was lined with small shops and houses, many of them hovels, selling whatever in the muddy front yard, often dried cow poop patties, used as fuel for cooking fires, as the stock in trade. Bunches of half-clothed kids played in the yards with sleeping dogs and wandering cows and thieving monkeys on the roof.
A little taste of traffic and Main Street.
After a mile on that road, the van stopped and made a sharp right turn into the gated and guarded hotel entrance. What a contrast! The grounds are a beautiful park with manicured lawns, trimmed hedges, flowering shrubs, water fountains and pools with lily pads. There was a swimming pool and athletic fields. The marble lobby was spacious, a group of five girls went through, a rainbow of a gauzy, revealing gowns, part of a wedding party taking place at the hotel.
From the roof of the hotel, Val and I got a glimpse of the Taj and the wedding pavilion.
ITC Mughal Hotel lobby.
Wedding Pavilion. Wedding prep going on with loud music playing. The next morning lots of people were looking like they had been up all night.
Hotel grounds.
After lunch we set out on the tours, first to the Agra Fort,, a huge red brick structure, home to the Mughal Shahs until the capital was moved to Delhi. We toured the residence and harem building and gardens. The fort is directly across the river from The Taj Mahal.
Entrance to the Agra Fort.
Some inlay work in the residence.
Awed tourists.
Harem gardens.
Decorative stonework at the favorite queen's residence.
After the Fort we crossed the river and toured the iconic Taj Mahal. We stayed and caught a nice sunset. It is another Mosque so it’s shoes off again. It’s also the tomb of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and the Shah himself. The detail craftsmanship and inlay work uses many colored minerals and stones.
We've all seen pictures, but it's very impressive in person.
We did the whole tour and stayed for the sunset.
After the Taj, it was back to the hotel for dinner.
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