Agra

Haven't found time to make any notes, which is silly really, but its the truth. So, writing this off the bat, in the internet cafe in Alwar.

Agra is.... not a great city, it must be said. I am not sure why, but I didn't enjoy it much. That being said, it is surrounded by some amazing sites, and I am glad I visited it, but just wont be returning anytime soon.

Managed to eventually find a hotel that wasn't a rip-off or a dump, and 300rs later, at 7am, I was off to visit the Taj. The promised queues were not there, and I was into the complex within 3 minutes, minus 750rs! The cost really is amazing, considering that 500rs of that is tax added by the city, but with seeminly 70% of the visitors being foreign, they know they are on to a money maker. The building is simply breathtaking, and I dont think I have the words to do it justice. So I wont bother. It has to be seen to be believed though.

I refused to pay 300rs to enter the fort, as I will be visiting many of them in the next month in Rajestan and need to save both my money, and my desire to see more forts. But i did walk round it, and it was very big. I was walking towards the mosque, that used to be connected to the northern part of the fort by a courtyard, but had the railway line run through it by the British as punishment for the mutiny in 1847 (?). Huge big complex, in the same style as others here. I took offense for a donation being DEMANDED by the caretaker though, and only gave 10rs. A donation is a donation, not a fee.

After that I saw Akbar's tomb at Sikandra, despite my best efforts to miss it. Not only did I buy a ticket for a town 30km away (and it was much more expensive), but I slept past the stop, and had to get an autorickshaw back to Sikandra. But it was worth it, even with the 250rs entrance. A huge sprawling area, with far less tourists, especially foreign ones, it was peaceful in comparison to the rest of the city. The park around it still has deer and peacocks, just as in the past, and it felt almost like going back in time. Recommended for sure!

My hour is up... more stories about the travels coming up.