Early alarm call came as expected, and after a bit of frantic packing, we were picking up our breakfast cartons from the front desk and off to the train station on the bus. Only took 10 minutes at that time in the morning, but the station was manic at 5.30am. A porter accosted us and promptly put both of our bags on his head! I can hardly even lift one by myself. Having wandered through the detritus of Delhi station, people sleeping everywhere (most with all limbs intact, some not so lucky) we waited on the platform for the train to arrive. The train was actually not too bad, we were in a carriage with AC and we got served water, tea & biscuits and even breakfast (idli - a south Indian dumpling thing). Carrie really enjoyed her boiled egg! The train took approx. 2 hours before we arrived at Agra station - an utter shit-hole. The hawkers (touts) are extreme here, and we battled thorugh them to get to our bus. Thank heavens for the porters - I would never be able to cope with the bags on my own. Checked into the Mansigh Palace hotel - had to wait only 30 mins before our room was ready. Again - we are all in together, this time a twin room (pushed the beds together) and 2 camp beds for the kids. Its clean, but a step down from Delhi - one night only.
Writing this in the room as we wait for an hour before going off to the Agra Fort. The other 2 families are in pieces....
Agra Fort was amazing - lots of good photo opportunities with the kids larking about in the ruins. Very impressive massive sandstone structure with loads of nooks & crannies to explore. As we approached the gate, Sam's words were "Wow! Dad, it's bigger than Hogwarts!" - priceless.
Great views of the Taj Mahal here on the opposite side of the river - our destination later that afternoon. A common occurence here is the Indian tourists wanting to have their photos taken with Sam & Carrie. We stick out like a sore thumb, as there are no other westerners with kids this young, so I suppose they are a rare sight. Forget the Taj Mahal - get a look at those white kids!
Back to the hotel for lunch - however, the Lee family took a detour to Pizza Hut! There is a Pizza Hut and a Costa Coffee right next to the hotel, so we took advantage of it, much to Mel's delight.
A quick swim in the pool after lunch - not the most attractive setting,but nice to cool off and the kids were happy.
It was off to the the main event in the afternoon - the Taj Mahal. This was a lovely experience - loads of good photos opportunities, even the Japanese tourists wanted some Sam & Carrie action! We spent a couple of hours here, waiting for the sun to go down - a really nice time to see it. Mel was reminded of her days as a research scientist when we donned our shoe protectors for entry inside to see the tombs. Afterwards, we stopped to pick up some tacky souvenirs - a snowstorm Taj Mahal paperweight for Carrie, some postcards, and a mini Taj Mahal for Sam (to put next to my Eiffel Tower Daddy!).
Dinner that night was at a local Indian restaurant recommended by Ved - not a great experience. Kids were in pieces due to the long day, and the food options were limited. However Carrie enjoyed her vegetarian soup! Mel's tummy was starting to play up, so she didn't eat - her appetite vanishing along with her sense of humour....
Writing this in the room as we wait for an hour before going off to the Agra Fort. The other 2 families are in pieces....
Agra Fort was amazing - lots of good photo opportunities with the kids larking about in the ruins. Very impressive massive sandstone structure with loads of nooks & crannies to explore. As we approached the gate, Sam's words were "Wow! Dad, it's bigger than Hogwarts!" - priceless.
Great views of the Taj Mahal here on the opposite side of the river - our destination later that afternoon. A common occurence here is the Indian tourists wanting to have their photos taken with Sam & Carrie. We stick out like a sore thumb, as there are no other westerners with kids this young, so I suppose they are a rare sight. Forget the Taj Mahal - get a look at those white kids!
Back to the hotel for lunch - however, the Lee family took a detour to Pizza Hut! There is a Pizza Hut and a Costa Coffee right next to the hotel, so we took advantage of it, much to Mel's delight.
A quick swim in the pool after lunch - not the most attractive setting,but nice to cool off and the kids were happy.
It was off to the the main event in the afternoon - the Taj Mahal. This was a lovely experience - loads of good photos opportunities, even the Japanese tourists wanted some Sam & Carrie action! We spent a couple of hours here, waiting for the sun to go down - a really nice time to see it. Mel was reminded of her days as a research scientist when we donned our shoe protectors for entry inside to see the tombs. Afterwards, we stopped to pick up some tacky souvenirs - a snowstorm Taj Mahal paperweight for Carrie, some postcards, and a mini Taj Mahal for Sam (to put next to my Eiffel Tower Daddy!).
Dinner that night was at a local Indian restaurant recommended by Ved - not a great experience. Kids were in pieces due to the long day, and the food options were limited. However Carrie enjoyed her vegetarian soup! Mel's tummy was starting to play up, so she didn't eat - her appetite vanishing along with her sense of humour....
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