May 1: Agra, India – Out and About with Diane

This morning we went early to the Taj Mahal so we could enjoy the Taj Mahal at sunrise. We got to the gate in the dark and before it opened and it was the first time on the trip that I noticed mosquitos. I helped myself to the guide’s bug spray and soon after there were no more bugs.

Our guide directed us to a good spot to see the sunrise and today we got to see the inside of the Taj Mahal. Photography is not allowed inside.

After visiting the Taj Mahal we went back to the hotel for breakfast before heading out for our afternoon visits to Fort Agra and the tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah also know as ‘baby taj’ or Bachcha Taj.

Sunrise at Taj Mahal

Jennifer admiring the stonework at Taj Mahal

Even the walkways have marble. The red sandstone gets worn out but the marble is so hard it doesn’t get damaged. We wore the little cloth slippers before going inside the Taj Mahal mausoleum to keep it clean and damage free.

automatic rickshaw at Taj Mahal as we are leaving

Fort Agra

Agra fort rules- most are standard prohibited items but the one that surprised me was the markers- they are not allowed because people have graffiti-ed many places

Bathtub that was moved whenever the Raj went anywhere-it’s multi ton stone

Palace room in fort with lots of inlay- the son imprisoned his father at the fort and the father was exiled in this fancy area of the fort

tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah