A Passage to India

[Fantic125]

Enjoy your drive to Agra. When I did it it was 4 hours there, 5 hours back.

Well worth seeing the Taj and Red Fort.

 

[lmere12]

Enjoying yr TR so far Look forward to following it.

 

[KitKat]

Thanks RB for some tips earlier last year.


The fog seemed particularly heavy this morning. Was a little concerned about the journey. It got better as the sun came out.

Well we got a real introduction to driving in India today. Most (if not all) of the comments that follow should be taken in a humourous spirit and hopefully does not offend anyone (definitely not the intention). Just some observations.

Driving in India
Road lines are for - general idea that traffic flows along the lines (although sometimes across as well)
A working Horn is the most essential equipment.
Side view mirrors are optional. Usually in the way for a tight squeeze between vehicles (big definiton here on what a vehicle could be).
Anything goes. Agree with RB, a safe driver is very important. Traffic sometimes comes in the opposite direction on your lane! so a little bit of playing chicken on the "highway".
Don't distract your driver, he needs 150% concentration on the road!





a morning breakfast behind the barrier at a toll gate

 

[KitKat]

Some other road users


Makes one value how fortunate we are here in Australia.

 

[PrincessK]

From our trip I believe KitKat is on the right track by hiring a driver & vehicle. I am happy to PM details of the driver we used-excellent english, careful driver (vital) and absolutely committed to save travel & eating. I was very wary but now planning to go back

Would really appreciate that, RB.

 

[KitKat]

It took about 5 hours to get to Agra. Went by the old way. Should have asked the driver to go via the Yamuna Express. Apparently this takes 3-4 hours but the drivers are less keen as the toll charges are higher.
Had a pit stop at a touristy stop on the highway. Did not eat anything as we were still fearful of eating anywhere outside of a hotel. Quickly got back into the car.



The horse cart is an option once you get to the outskirts of Taj Mahal. The don't allow the use of polluting vehicles close to the Taj. We went with an electric cart.

 

[cmon0005]

It is off to Agra today. Our first adventure on the roads in India.

You will thoroughly enjoy the Taj Mahal, (not Agra though, despite hosting one of the worlds most famous attractions Agra itself is rather dirty and not a place I would want to visit other than for the Taj Mahal and Fort) don't let that put you off though, my visit to the Taj Mahal was probably the highlight of all the travels I've ever done, It is simply amazing..

Also make sure you get an official guide (this is easy as there are many around) check their rate card first as they normally charge a fixed rate to Foreigners but try to talk it down, also ask the guide to take all your pictures for you using your camera as they're normally happy to do this and know all the cool shots to take.

Enjoy!!

 

[cmon0005]

Had a pit stop at a touristy stop on the highway. Did not eat anything as we were still fearful of eating anywhere outside of a hotel. Quickly got back into the car.

Was the touristy stop kind of like a castle/palace looking shop? We stopped here on the way to the Taj and it had a restaurant and giftshop.
I had a chicken club sandwich and it was actually quite good.

 

[KitKat]

On arrival at Agra, we went to the hotel first.
ITC Mughal Agra
Check in was slow and they did not note my SPG status. On checking, was upgraded to a suite again. Just love the space of a suite.



Had a quick bite from snacks we bought in Bangkok. Then it was off to the Taj Mahal. Waited a short while at the hotel entrance.

 

[KitKat]

Was the touristy stop kind of like a castle/palace looking shop? We stopped here on the way to the Taj and it had a restaurant and giftshop.
I had a chicken club sandwich and it was actually quite good.

Not sure.. probably but there are lots of stops that look like that. Ok, back to the TR.

Our driver arrived with a guide now. A short drive to the Taj Mahal. Looked very busy. Had to get off a short distance away and went by electric cart the rest of the distance.
Paid the guide 750INR each to get our tickets. Then it was for the final ride to the entrance. There are separate lines for men and women. Received my first grope, front and back, of this trip during the security check.
Entered the forecourt first, then it was on to the Taj.




notice the crowds

 

[KitKat]

Notice the column, there are only 3 sides but optical illusion makes it look like there are 6 sides visible

 

[KitKat]

setting sun


these guys were putting up quite a show, consistent with the spirit of the place!

Thanks for reading, off to bed now! to be continued

 

[jazza1971]

Great TR Kitkat! Cant wait to see the rest

 

[KitKat]

The Taj was quite busy. Took a while to get into the inner chamber. Crowded and dark. Saw intricate designs and replicas of the tombs. The wait is even longer for those paying the local fee to get into the inner chamber. Foreigners who pay the much higher fee seemed to be allowed faster access.

Looked across the Yamuna, looked quite dry in Dec. I guess it would be quite nice to see the Taj from the other side when the river is full.


final shot before leaving

 

[KitKat]

Soon it was time to leave as it was getting dark. Drove back to the hotel. Declined our guide's offer to bring us to his family's stone carving workshop (no pressure to buy). After a brief rest in the room, we went down to the hotel café for dinner. Had a vegetarian meal.



Potato roti, paneer and lentils

Good sleep overnight but woke with some abdominal cramps.. uh-oh…let’s say the runs has begun… so from this time onwards let’s say I was quite regular

 

[KitKat]

Checked out of the hotel. Had to have the internet charges taken off the bill. They itemised the package and had a separate fee for breakfast. Very confusing billing set up.


Was very impressed by this sign in the hotel. Each colour including the words were inlaid stones. The strip on the left looked like a sticker but is actually inlaid stones as well.

Drove to the Red Fort for a quick view but as it was quite foggy and we still had a long way to go to Jaipur, we decided to only look at it from the outside. For another time I guess..


Some hard workers getting ready for duty

 

[drron]

"Good sleep overnight but woke with some abdominal cramps.. uh-oh…let’s say the runs has begun… so from this time onwards let’s say I was quite regular"

You have just made certain that we will not be visiting India.
Mrsdrron is freaking out enough over Africa!
So I am enjoying your TR even more as this will be my only experiences of India-through the eyes of fellow AFFers.

 

[KitKat]

Stopped by Fatehpur Sikri on the way to Jaipur. Took a guide with an “auto” for the final ride up the hill. Within the inner courtyard there are very intricate stone latticework in one of the tombs. More about the guide later..










inside the tomb of a Sufi saint, you tie a string for a wish

 

[KitKat]

more intricate stone lattice work


a little dweller of Fatehpur Sikri

 

[KitKat]

An important consideration is that you have to remove your footwear to enter this complex. The stone floors were very cold. There are enterprising locals who would look after your shoes and provide you with some slippers! For a fee obviously! Well this was India – go with the flow, pay some INR and you will be looked after. True enough our shoes were still there at the end. Pay after you get your shoes back.


horse shoe gate (nailed here for good luck)





OK, our guide was quite enterprising. He asked us if we had any non indian currency notes and was quite keen to have one of each country! on top of his fee..