SOUTH ASIA BLOG October 16th, 2024 - JAIPUR to AGRA

 

10/16/24– We prepare for our driver to pick us up at 11:30am. I’m a bit nervous since we booked late last night and haven’t really heard from the tour operator. We go to breakfast and shortly after we finally hear back 45 minutes before our pickup time. At least there’s that.

We check out and the driver arrives twenty minutes late. Not good as we have plans in Agra tonight and need to be there by a certain time. Also, he has no room in the small car for us and our luggage to fit comfortably, so he puts our suitcases on top of his car (in a rack at least) and grabs a strap from the trunk to wrap around. This does not make me feel at ease but I trust that he’s done this before. Of course, not even ten minutes into the drive, the strap comes loose and he has to pull over to re-tie.

Sliding, honking, zooming and swaying every which way seems to be the theme in India, and this driver is no different. I come to wonder if their horn stops working then perhaps they consider their car disabled. 

Two hours later (half way into the drive) we make our first stop at a restaurant. Sharece and I are okay with the scraps we brought from breakfast this morning but it’s obvious or driver is hungry, so we take this time to stretch our legs.

 

      

It’s now 3:45pm and we reach Fatehpur Sikri (one of our scheduled stops for this drive). This town was founded as the capital in 1571. The complex is quite interesting as we have to pay for a separate driver to take us there (bus fully loaded) and pay for a guide to show us around as it’s easy to get lost, and we only have thirty minutes to spare. It’s a nice fort; however, it definitely feels like this is the hobo hangout. At least they take credit card.

We finally arrive at Radisson Hotel Agra at 6pm. We tip the driver, thank him for the interesting but fun ride and proceed to have our bags scanned through security so we can enter the hotel. This is a very upscale place so I’m sure security is at the utmost importance, and they take every precaution (even sweep under our car).

With one hour before our taxi (arranged by the hotel), we quickly get ready for our night viewing of the Taj Mahal. Our tickets are not until 8pm; however, we have to show up thirty minutes early for security check. This is also a rare event as they allow a limited amount of people once a month or so to view it at night and it happens to be while we are here. Go us!

Our driver takes us to the entrance where we wait for security. It’s at this time when we’re told that cell phones are not allowed (didn’t know that earlier) and have to coat check them in. I am a bit worried about my main camera as it can record video, but they have no problem with me bringing it along, so that’s a huge relief.

We then take a trolley to the main gate and walk a short ways before seeing the archway with the Taj Mahal just on the other side. Wow! It’s not lit up at all, but the full moon illuminates it just enough to take some photos. The entire experience lasts only thirty minutes before we’re escorted back to the main entrance to retrieve our phones. Our driver (who was waiting patiently this entire time) drives us back to the hotel.