So we left you last time floating somewhere down the Ganges. You will be pleased to know that since then we have survived another boat ride and another overnight train as well as two more tuk tuk rides! We also ventured back into the labyrinth that is Varanasi and made it out and back to the hotel all by ourselves.
We have also had the chance to visit the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. WOW! They are both quite big and the Taj Mahal certainly doesn't disappoint. Its all you can imagine from photos and more. Having said that the outside is far more beautiful than the inside of the Taj Mahal. There of course will be photos for you all to see upon our return.
To get inside the gates of the Taj Mahal of course you need a ticket. We are considered high value ticket holders and the locals are just ticket holders. There are 3 queues at the gate, high value ladies, high value gentlemen and Indians. You go through a metal detector and then your bags get x-rayed. You aren't allowed to take in any food and they give you a bottle of water so that they know exactly what is coming in and out of the area.
Once you get inside the gate there are again separate queues for westerners and Indians to get inside the Taj itself. The queue for the westerners is small and moves quite well. The queue for the Indians just about goes around the entire compound and there is a high chance that they may queue for the entire day and still not get inside, making them return to pay yet again and go through the entire process maybe multiple times over before they actually get to see inside.
From there we returned with the group to the hotel to get ready to head to dinner. We've had another 4 people join our group 3 from Australia and 1 from California (an older lady) and already becoming well known in our group for running late and getting stroppy. There always happens to be one in every group. Again we will have to get back to you once we have scoped them out. Of course another delicious meal with Gordo again at the end almost needing to be rolled back to the bus. This time we had some Daal Tadka (yellow lentil curry) and Paneer butter masala (which we have had previously). Very tasty meal again.
This morning was another early wake up call at 5:45am as we head off to Jaipur on a local bus. Wish us luck! We'll get back to you later on with a chicken count no doubt. All we've heard the bus has no a/c so this should be interesting.
Until then hope your having a great day and enjoying our blog.
Toot & Gordo xox
We have also had the chance to visit the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. WOW! They are both quite big and the Taj Mahal certainly doesn't disappoint. Its all you can imagine from photos and more. Having said that the outside is far more beautiful than the inside of the Taj Mahal. There of course will be photos for you all to see upon our return.
To get inside the gates of the Taj Mahal of course you need a ticket. We are considered high value ticket holders and the locals are just ticket holders. There are 3 queues at the gate, high value ladies, high value gentlemen and Indians. You go through a metal detector and then your bags get x-rayed. You aren't allowed to take in any food and they give you a bottle of water so that they know exactly what is coming in and out of the area.
Once you get inside the gate there are again separate queues for westerners and Indians to get inside the Taj itself. The queue for the westerners is small and moves quite well. The queue for the Indians just about goes around the entire compound and there is a high chance that they may queue for the entire day and still not get inside, making them return to pay yet again and go through the entire process maybe multiple times over before they actually get to see inside.
From there we returned with the group to the hotel to get ready to head to dinner. We've had another 4 people join our group 3 from Australia and 1 from California (an older lady) and already becoming well known in our group for running late and getting stroppy. There always happens to be one in every group. Again we will have to get back to you once we have scoped them out. Of course another delicious meal with Gordo again at the end almost needing to be rolled back to the bus. This time we had some Daal Tadka (yellow lentil curry) and Paneer butter masala (which we have had previously). Very tasty meal again.
This morning was another early wake up call at 5:45am as we head off to Jaipur on a local bus. Wish us luck! We'll get back to you later on with a chicken count no doubt. All we've heard the bus has no a/c so this should be interesting.
Until then hope your having a great day and enjoying our blog.
Toot & Gordo xox
Hi my girls, looking forward to seeing all your pics of India. Still enjoying reading your blogs, you should really write a book on your adventures, very entertaining. Glad to hear your enjoying your trip and the food, bring me back some please. love yous....xxxxx
ReplyDeleteMummy Hoppo
Hey Toot and Gordo,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic sight and experience to get to the Taj Mahal! Something to remember for a long time. Not sure what the Agra Fort is but guess we will see the pics when you get back. Well done too on finding your own way back to your hotel!!
Our new table and the chairs as well arrived yesterday so we have been trying them out and eating in the other room with the kids!!! Still no getting Emma off the Foxtel though!!
Have fun!
Love from Sue
Hi my girls, well sorry to tell you this but it is now 1 week today that you both will be home again, hope all is going well and your enjoying yourselves, will be happy to see you again. Loves ya
ReplyDeleteMummy Hoppo
Pays to be a white fella hey Gordo!?
ReplyDeleteLove Bacon