We decided to get a driver and leave Delhi to see the beautiful state of Rajasthan but the first stop was Agra in Uttar Pradesh state. Agra is most famous for the Taj Mahal one of the new seven wonders of the modern world. On this trip alone we might see three or four of these – https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/outdoors-and-adventure/articles/new-seven-wonders-of-the-world
Agra
It seems every Indian city has a fort but in Agra the most famous structures are the Taj Mahal and the ‘baby’ Taj Mahal. We checked out the baby first, the fort then the back of the Taj Mahal as it was rather late and they restrict your time at the Taj so as not to be so insanely crowded. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal
Baby Taj Mahal
Like a warm up act, the baby Taj looks similar. It also backs on a dirty river but is smaller in scale. It was almost empty of tourists and we were the only western tourists there. The girls started seeing the continual pestering for money here too. Use the toilet – someone wants money, leave your shoes to enter temple – someone wants money, van stops at light – someone wants money…..
Agra Fort
Then we went to Agra fort. On our trip to Agra and Rajasthan we saw many forts. Ask the girls and they will say too many. Yes they were amazing. Yes there was probably one or two too many….
Taj Mahal
It was getting late so our guide suggested a walk the thru the gardens and seeing the Taj from across the river. It was awesome… I said that I did not need to go to the other side as this was very quiet and we could enjoy the view with few people ( you can see the folks packed around the Taj in the pix). That prov d to be prophetic as I missed the next morning due to my first bout of Delhi belly.
The next day we saw the Agra gate – the largest gate in the world ( and not in Agra). Built by a guy named Akbar in 1572 it is the entrance to the Buland Darwaza palace in Fatehpur Sikri.
