To See the Taj Mahal

 

We made a quick trip to Agra before I start my chemo. It was a great experience. We landed in New Delhi and the air pollution was over 460AQI (as a reference, the worst cities in the USA only get up to 40AQI. Most of the places in the USA are under 10AQI. I had to laugh when the locals called it "Fog" but it is pollution. Fog does not make you cough, give you black boogers, nor sting your eyes! 

In the  morning we drove from New Delhi to Agra. Luckily, we brought several books with us for us all to read. We each took naps and watched the scenery pass by as we drove. It was amazing to see how some things change and other things remain the same. 

Our hotel in Agra had several pools and gardens to explore. We had so much fun as a family exploring all over. We ran on the grass, we looked at the flowers, we talked along the pools. 

It was so nice being outside. The pollution was still not great, but it was better than in Mumbai, so we enjoyed the outdoor space for a few hours. 

Of course Turtle made his appearance!

It was so great to see the nature in forms of trees and greenery AND the animals. It is odd to realize that you have missed seeing nature when you are in the middle of a large city. 

We then made our way to Agra Fort. It is a sprawling fort that was built hundreds of years ago and has been used through the British occupancy and now by the current military. We walked through years and years of history. The style of the architecture matched the years of use. The war years built spartan styled walls engineered to protect and fight. The wealthy years built palaces with gem lined walls and pools of floating flowers.  

The buildings were full of imposing  grandeur from a distance, and up close they impress with detailed designs. 

Bathtub for the Maharaj Kings

A view of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort. 

Areas of the Agra Fort were so large that they had full markets and schools and government offices. 

Our next stop was the Taj Mahal. We have seen many palaces and temples from around the world, but seeing the Taj Mahal was indescribable! It is beautiful! We were all memorized by the experience. Normally, they tell you to go into the Taj Mahal early in the morning to beat the crowds. We decided to do it in the afternoon because the mornings had more pollution. That is due to the cold weather and all the burning that happens during the night. We are glad that we did. Yes, there were people, but we have acclimated to living in the most populous country on Earth. So it was not so bad. 

We have all wanted to see the Taj Mahal after going on Soarin' at Walt Disney World. We have created a goal to see all of the places on Soarin'. And today was the Taj Mahal. Walking through the gateway and seeing the Taj Mahal in the distance was breathtaking. 

This was the one place that the crowds seemed bad. But as we ventured into the grounds, it got better. Thankfully. 

After the Taj Mahal, we went to see a family that does the inlaid marble art. It was fun to see them do their work. What a labor intensive art.