Taj Mahal

6:30AM up for breakfast at the 361 Degree Restaurant and out of the hotel by 8A for our drive to Agra. Normally this takes about 3 1/2 hours but traffic was crazy and it took us about 4 hours.
But we did not care as today we were able to travel in style aboard one of the very luxiorious busses.  they wanted us to try this bus-- we even had wi-fi on this.  It was very interesting as we passed thru the little villages and saw more of the life in India.

We arrived at our beautiful Oberoi Hotel-- The Oberoi Amarvilas and like every hotel we entered were always given the red dot which is the  bindi of India. which is a blessed symbol and some think that this prevents against demons or bad luck.

After entering into the hotel, we were invited to their verandah which was our first look at the Taj Mahal.  It was so spectacular and better than any pictures we had seen.

 And then to my beautiful room where I also had an awesome view of the Taj Mahal. 

Notice the beautiful sarongs that the Oberoi staff always wear 

After a short time in the room, we then had lunch at the Bellevue Restaurant in the hotel. Around 2P we left for the Agra Fort which is a World Heritage UNESCO site-- a walled city.

 And now to the Taj Mahal where I had only seen pictures.  This is the most perfect architectural monument ever accomplished.  In memory of his wife, the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan planned this most extravagant and incomparable built for love. At day's end, the monument appears to change its hue, tinted by the glow of the setting sun.

We walked in and the sight took our breath away and as we continued to walk around the sun was glistening in every angle.  It was amazing-- better than I had ever imagined.  I could not get enough pictures because every angle was better.  Ventours had hired a private photographer to take individual pictures of us with the Taj in the background.

Finally it was time to leave-- and I will always have that memory of the Taj-- something I never did think I would see.  And then the sun started setting and here is what we saw-- another breathtaking moment.

SUN SETTING OVER THE TAJ MAJAL

 Now if you notice they pack all the hours in a day that you can get so we continue on for a little shopping in the Kohinoor, Agra's famous shopping area.  There is emerald necklaces, enamel jewelry, textiles and embroidery. What I really enjoyed was the beautiful marble inlay factories. We learned how they did the marble tables with individual pieces of cut stones.

Look at the concentration he has doing this amazing art:

Can you imagine this on a table and a light beneath to brighten all of these tiles?

Not done yet-- back to the hotel for a site inspection and then cocktails in the Kohinoor suite.  Here we were greeted by a couple who was playing the sitar and bongos.  Lovely views and beautiful music.

Then onto dinner at the Esphahan restaurant where we had the Royal Indian Thali. This is the traditional  Indian meal. It is served at the same time including starters, main-entrees, desserts and beverages.  Thali is a round platter, with small bowls arranged around the rim to serve with food.  In the center is the staple food (bread or rice) piled up.

Enough food-- late at night and still tired from jet-lag I made my way back to my room. Here I found a beautiful ivory framed picture of the group in front of the Taj Mahal given to us by our hosts

Ventours.  Slept very well that night.