On Sunday morning, we got ready to visit the quintessential tourist spot of India… the Taj Mahal. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Was it cliche’ that we were visiting the thing that everyone associates with India? I felt like we had already experienced so much of *real* India, how would this compare? Let me just say this: The Taj Mahal alone is worth a trip to India. It was AMAZING.
Dorothy has been getting more comfortable with being out of her parents’ arms, and as Tisra got ready, she sat down on the floor of the hotel room happily…
We then applied bug repellent on her, like we have done every day since getting here. We went the natural route, not wanting DEET on our bodies, and have been using “Bug Balm,” a natural mixture of essential oils and other things that actually smells nice. Of course after a week of applying it to our bodies, we are kind of sick of it – but it does its job!!
Dorothy is fascinated by elevator rides – the door closes in one place, and when it opens we are somewhere entirely different!
She decided to be a big girl and sit by herself for breakfast too…
Our driver and guide were ready to meet us at 9 am and we headed off to the Taj Mahal. He took us to the much less used east entrance (the south is the main one), and there was no line at all. We were not allowed to bring video cameras into the facility (we later learned that you actually could, so in this next photo you get to see Eric visibly annoyed by the fact he could not take video of this place). Also nothing electronic, like an ipod. However an iphone was perfectly okay. Go figure!
We went through the gate and got to behold this beauty. It was incredible!!
It was HUGE!!
It was really truly amazing and I could not believe I was standing there. The construction – the materials – the details – the fact that it is still so beautiful today… wow!
We all touched the marble. It was cool to the touch, even in the heat of the day!
Our guide showed us the marble detailing – everything is made out of carved marble… with the different colors on the structure actually done by intricately detailed inlay work.
Even the lattice windows were made of carved marble…
Eric was particularly enamored by the inlays… they are all made of semiprecious stones such as lapis lazuli, malachite, jasper and onyx.
Our guide did a wonderful job sharing with us the story of the taj (built for the emperor’s late wife who died during childbirth of their 14th child).
and Eric and Tisra enjoyed relaxing in the cool shade on the side of the Taj.
So did I
We walked back through the botanical gardens on the grounds… many of the plants growing there are medicinal herbs such as sandalwood and different kinds of teas.
The guide was so impressed at how native Tisra looked with her baby.
before we left, a quick family shot in one of the archways of the eastern gate…
and then back into the streets of Agra to get our car…
Once back at the hotel, we packed up and checked out… and Eric entertained Dorothy.
Tisra also did some bootie pinching…
which made Dorothy let out one of her elusive giggles we all seek!
She even did a little standing by herself…
But before we could leave Agra, we had to have one more lunch at Pizza Hut! Our friend Jyoti was there again, and she was so excited that we returned because of her most excellent service. We ordered a cheese pizza, extra cheese (for to make most delicious!), and this time had sodas to drink. Mmmmm. Sugar!
And speaking of sugar, we had some ice cream for dessert! Dorothy quite enjoyed sharing with Daddy.
Then Dorothy helped her daddy make change to tip the hotel staff…
and we left Agra for our drive back to Delhi…
Monday is going to be a BUSY DAY for the Fadely family… first it’s back to the embassy to get her Visa, then some shopping in Delhi before packing and getting ready to FLY HOME!!! It’s amazing that the trip is almost over… it seems to have gone by slowly and quickly all at once. I still have a couple more posts to make about the trip, though – so stay tuned!
by jessie
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