6: Man made perfection at the Taj Mahal

A dawn visit to the Taj Mahal - love is in the air - and perhaps a little pollution 

Location: Agra - Delhi

The best day. We can go home now. Mission accomplished. We've visited this magnificent creation and it was so majestic and beautiful. I literally cried for the first 20 minutes. I just couldn't stop.
We know and appreciate how perfect nature can be - how there are so many amazing birds, butterflies and flowers that carry patterns that defy the imagination. This building was the closest man-made structure that I have seen that mirrors the wonder of the natural world.

Ten years ago as we scaled The Great Wall of China, @Mac asked me where I wanted to be for my 70th. I had answered "The Taj Mahal" but subsequently changed my mind and opted for Japan. So grateful that we ticked the box for this India adventure and I could experience this marvel amd add it to my 70th birthday celebration memories.

TODAY'S HIGLIGHTS

A. Taj Mahal
We left the hotel right on 5:30 in the hope that we would be there before the crowds but there were lots of other people with the same idea. @Vishal organised a photographer for the group and we had fun with the poses in all the right spots.

All smiles for the early morning start

We had plenty of time to wander and explore and of course @Vishal had provided the back story. We sat with a perfect view and watched faint glimmers of sunshine try to break through the light clouds and perhaps a screen of pollution.

At the gate with the light already reflecting on the dome

The Taj Mahal has been described as a "spectacle in white marble." It is a monument of love that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan gave to the world as a testament of his intense love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

My tears started here as we entered the gate - it was breathtaking. 

So hard to wrap your head around this opulence in white marble, adorned with precious and semi-precious stones that took 22 years and 20 000 workers to complete.His wife died in 1631 and the project began in 1633 and almost bankrupted the empire.

The intensity of the love associated with the creation of this mausoleum, contrasted so strongly with the loneliness and sadness portrayed in that iconic photo of Lady Diana - and that intensified my emotions. 

On Lady Di's bench

Everything here is of course symmetrical and the inlaid jewels in the pattern of the marble brings extra fire and colour - the dome reflects the changing times of day and the seasons.

The vaulted ceilings, archways and terraces presented a new canvas prepared so long ago. The passing river, the gardens and ponds and the tapered minarets that angle out slightly at 91 degrees intensify its perfection.

The minarets were constructed on an angle- if there was an earthquake they would fall away from the dome

The only asymmetrical piece in the building was the placement of the King's casket which was added as an afterthought. His wife has the prime view, and if you look through the lattice and the archway, her casket has uninterrupted views back to the entrance gate.

There was some detail to enjoy wherever you looked

We could walk through it and around it and tagged on to the back of any English speaking guide who was inside so we could gather a few more pieces of information.

No photos we permitted inside but the marble work was detail, exquisite and covered every surface. Every piece of course a work of art, completed by hand - and the size! The dome and balcony - again, with that perfect symmetry, filled with precious stones that match and reflect the light.

It was perfect that we had seen the building from afar yesterday - those views from a distance helped us make sense of what we were experiencing today.

Enjoyed with a fabulous group

The time just flew by and we did have to drag ourselves away. Hopped back in the golf carts and left that beauty behind - but don't think I will ever forget it.

We had to leave

B. Demonstration of marble inlay

It was back to the hotel for breakfast and checkout and then onto the bus.

Had our first stop to see how the artisans create the marble inlay. It was fascinating and the process was incredibly painstaking and time consuming. Yes, we enjoyed their hospitality and were then invited to make a purchase. Spectacular pieces, with matching prices and as the artisans who maintain and restore the inlay work at the Taj Mahal this team was justifiably proud of their work.

Couldn't convince any team members to buy today.

C. Completing the triangle and returning to Delhi

What a slow old journey that was - interspersed with a lunch stop at another food mall where we tried to solve the problems of life in India with @Vishal, addressing sensitive topics such as religion and faith, poverty and homelessness, the  breakdown of the traditional family, the growing prevalence of drugs, alcohol and rape and a vision for today's youth. Some very sobering observations.

The best part of the next leg of the journey was that our driver (who works away from home for 6 months on his contract) passed by his farmland. His wife, daughter and son were standing on the side of the highway - we pulled over, the doors were opened, they jumped in and gave him hugs, waved at us through the closed glass divider and were back on the side of the highway waving us goodbye! It was over in 90 seconds. Wish they could have had more time.

The toilet stop was a setup in the middle of the highway. You didn't pull off the road, you just pulled into the median strip. We needed one because one of our sickies was "really sick" and another needed priority clearance for the only Western toilet. Lucky that we did take advantage of it because it was slower than slow for the last part of the journey

Had our first missed turn off of the trip. Just missed our exit from the freeway by about 100 metres. No worries, @Manu just jumped out, stopped and cleared the traffic and we reversed back. Have no idea how these guys work the hours they do in the traffic which is reliably relentless.

And, after 6 days, that was India. Havent even scratched the surface but it has given us a taster. Had to say farewell to the team of three who had looked after us - they had been great. We'd prepared our tips, filled in the survey and said our farewells.

We had arrived in time for a very late dinner and after making our way up the impressive marble staircase, found our room and  headed to the restaurant.  Have to say the group was extremely boisterous for our final night in India. Curries, soups, beers, rum, naans  - and so excited because we had access to ice from bottled mineral water. It was like the group had won the jackpot.

Loved our day and looking forward to a sleepin.

Weather: 33 and persistent cloud cover

Steps: 15 692

Health Check: We continue to hold our own . The group still has four casualties. @Maureen couldn't make the trip to tthe Taj Mahal this morning. Too ill.

Accommodation: Taj Villas (online ads are killing me - this one has HOT and COLD running water, and yep, a doctor on call) We took advantage of the hot water but didn't need the doctor

On the Menu

Have tried to keep it simple at the road stops and order from KFC - still not even close to getting what we think we order! The classic was the waiter asks "what drink" - @Mac ordered a Mountain Dew -  ut when it arrives its Pepsi "because that the only one we have" - we ordered two wraps - got one wrap and one burgher - have to laugh

Straight from the itinerary:

Today you will have an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal just after sunrise (at approximately 06:00) and return to the hotel for breakfast or you can visit just after breakfast at 09:00 (included).

Enjoy the city of Agra at leisure or take part in the below optional activity. Late this afternoon you will travel approximately 210 kilometres back to Delhi and on arrival check into the hotel for an evening at leisure.