Camel-ot

My video clips will get better. Just not yet....
By the way, I shot the video, it gets posted on Youtube and you see it linked here. Any video beyond the link is from someone else on Youtube, as you may note from the more professional and less shaky camera.

Here is a camel encounter-

Agra Fort - Shopping

Crossing the moat into the fort.
I always run into my relatives when I travel.
The open area where the King resolved the differences of his subjects
The inner courtyard with the Mosque in the background
Looking out from the airing of grievances area

The inner mosque where the King is said to have stopped on the steep steps to face Mecca to pray, slipped, fell and ultimately died as a result of his injuries.
A deserved rest with the Taj in view across the river.

Shah Jahan's house arrest view.
Red stone and more marble

A pool used by the harem girls

Some of the detail work.

The all seeing monkey.
Back in traffic.

After our early morning visit to the Taj we headed back to the hotel for breakfast. As we were getting off the trishaw and back into the car we came across a couple of camels. They were big, handsome and a little scary.

After a pretty average breakfast we reconnected with Bobby and went to the fort. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra_Fort I have a basic handle on the history, but leave you to do your own research. Suffice it to say that the fort was built by on of the sons (Aurangzeb) of the Mughal King who built the Taj (Shah Jahan). This ungrateful child had two of his brothers killed and placed his old pop in kind of a house arrest to gain the throne. He had the fort built across the river from the Taj. On the grounds are nice palaces for each of his wives and one place for his dad. There are also other buildings and some housing for the harem and other workers on the estate. It is very lovely to see and in pretty good shape. I guess nasty Aurangzeb had a bit of a heart as his Dad's plush prison has very nice views of the Taj Mahal.

After the fort we stopped at two places to see craftsmen at work and to be enticed to make a large purchase. First were the carpet makers. It was interesting to see how hard it is to make a handmade India rug. Each thread and knot are tied individually and depending on the thread count, pattern and size a rug can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to make. We saw some in progress and many many more ready to buy. From little bath mat sizes to huge room sizes and from wool to fine silk. It was interesting but luckily, for our wallet, we live in Singapore in a house with no real consistent air con. any rug we would bring here would stand a good chance of getting ruined but the heat, humidity and sun. Sophia did make a small contribution to the SPCA at the rug place and laughed after being told that the Agra SPCA in Agra is 100% dedicated to helping cows.

We moved on one of the places where artisans made inlay item in the style of the Taj Mahal. Using fine marble and semi precious stones stone artists trace a pattern, cut into the marble, forge perfect puzzle pieces from stones of jade, onyx, marble, tiger eye and more to make beautiful plates, tables and other items. http://www.craftandartisans.com/marble-inlay-of-uttar-pradesh.htmlWe did fire up the big bucks for a pair of small tables which we are hoping to see at our door in a couple of months. I need not mention that stone should hold up pretty well in the Singapore climate.

Another long, but very exciting, day.

The Taj at Dawn

It's early, dark and cold - but well worth the effort.

Pre dawn. The Taj is just barely visible.
Light starts to creep in
Sunrise underway
The sun pops up behind the library
The Moon is still aglow

More light illuminates the building
A postcard picture. Note the red noses. It was freezing.
We know why it is one of the 7 wonders
Note the detail
A monument to love.

The alarm went off at 5AM. Some kind of holiday getting up at that hour. We dragged ourselves out of bed and got dressed. It was still pitch dark and awfully cold when we met Bobby in front of the hotel. Sophia was dressed warmly, a rarity for us this past year or so. I had on a tee shirt and a sweater. Some protection but not enough for the pre dawn Agra winter where the temp was about 40 degrees.

We drove in darkness for about 15 minutes, got out of the car and into an electric trishaw. Bobby cut the deal - 100 Rupees round trip. As we headed towards the entrance to the Taj there was an amazing amount of activity for 6AM. Local adults and kids walking, opening shops and huddling in front of fires on the sidewalks. There were also some horse and donkey carts and lots of bikes.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal

Bobby bought the tickets and in we went. It was still too dark to make anything out. Bobby started to give us some background on the Taj Mahal, when it was built, by whom, how long, etc. All good stuff to know. See the links for those interesting facts and figures. http://www.taj-mahal.net/blackLarge.htm

As it started to get a little bit light, the amazing edifice started to come into view. It looks simple from afar. White, symmetrical and very Islamic looking. It's big but not huge. The grounds are lovely but not over the top. Bobby sat us down for more history. I enjoyed the information but my teeth were chattering from the cold so I missed a few points. I was as cold as I have been since the 1997 Packers/Panthers Championship game (the one we won!).

As the sun rose the true spectacle and grandeur of the place began to become evident. The white marble, the inlay work, the other buildings and the marble carvings all started to glow and shimmer. We approached the main platform and entrance and removed our shoes. Everyone is required to wear paper booties to help preserve the marble surfaces. The closer we got the more we could see the details.

Agra - we made it!

Click on the picture (or on any one for that matter) to enlarge. Here is our first monkey sighting.
A fuzzy picture of my sweet dessert experience
Fancy some chili popcorn - or perhaps magic popcorn...
Bobby - THE man in Agra.

On the 30th we flew to Agra. I must give a mention to Kingfisher Airlines. The flight from Delhi to Agra is about 45 minutes. The plane is a 40 passenger prop plane. The Kingfisher - antithesis to US airlines - experience involves comfort, courtesy and a hot meal (two choices)! Flying does not get any better. http://www.flykingfisher.com/index.asp

We landed at tiny Agra airport. http://agra-india.com/ I think there are only one or two flights a day and were met by a guy from the hotel. Agra is very rural looking and the relatively short ride to the hotel allowed us to observe people walking, riding bikes, driving horse and ox carts and more. The hotel looked nice and Sophia got the Concierge to find us a guide and driver for our two day stay.

An hour or so later we were picked up by our new friend and guide Bobby Kahn. Our driver was a young fellow with a nice "luxury" Chevy. Bobby took us to part of town where we got out and walked around a bit. It was like many other places in India - chaotic, dirty, vibrant and a mix of old and new, rich and poor. While walking down a back road we say our first monkey of the trip. A nice little fellow climbing up the side of a building. there were also many, many, many street dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Bobby took us to s sweets shop where I sampled an Indian winter specialty - a warm dish with carrots, sugar, turmeric and other spices. It was different from anything I've tasted and was quite enjoyable.

We mapped out our Taj Mahal strategy for the next day. We were to meet Bobby in front of the hotel at 5:45 AM so we could see the sunrise and beat the crowds. We headed back to the hotel to try to get some sleep.