Emperors and Omelettes

Friday 9th March

We checked out of the AirBnB and met with our driver Mr. Vinod. He was much more lively today now he was out of another guide’s shadow!

Here’s a run down of some of our favourite quotes from him so far:

- Calls Beth ‘Bart’ and Dan ‘Darn’

- “You are boss. Smoking, singing, drinking, dancing is okay!” (Beth joked we could dance on the roof, he loved this idea. Maybe too much…)

- “Oooo Bart you look so young, 18 or 19 old. In whatsapp picture look 25!” The power of makeup Vinod ;)

- “Darn you have female tiger – feisty yes!” Referring to Beth haha.

- “Look at pork on road!” aka a pig

- Calls cows on the road the police. “I am not speeding sir, promise!”

- “I am your guide, your bodyguard, your driver and your friend!”

A 200km drive later (which felt like 2 seconds due to Vinod’s company) we arrived at the Taj Vilas in Agra. After a quick freshen up in the hotel room we met with our guide for the afternoon. Next stop, the Red Fort!

A huge red sandstone and white marble palace for the Emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. With the Taj Mahal in the distance and the glamour of the interior this was Beth’s favourite monument so far. The story is also very interesting. Becoming Emperor at a young age and illiterate, Shah Jahan was less than qualified for the job. Nevertheless bringing in laws such as banning women from having to lay on the burning funeral pyre of their husband made him the most loved Emperor of India. In his old age and after the death of his beloved Mumtaz however, his son Aurangzeb ordered Shah Jahan to house arrest and built a prison for him inside the Fort. On the plus side, the prison was encrusted with precious gems and overlooked the Taj Mahal, the tomb of his treasured Mumtaz.

In awe of the Red Fort we travelled to the Moon Garden on the other side of the River Yamuna from the Taj Mahal. Gazing at the Taj with the sun going down was perfection. The Moon Garden is rumoured to be the site of the second Taj Mahal. According to rumour, Shah Jahan would sit in the Moon Garden and stare at the Taj. In the reflection of the river, the Taj appeared black, supposedly making Shah Jahan want to build a black Taj Mahal opposite the original. Our guide however said this is merely hear say – an interesting image though!

We ordered an omelette and popadoms to the room and fell asleep – a long day!

Quote of the day:

“You Brits could get sunburnt in the Blue Moon!” – Our Guide.

Love,

B&D

- Red Fort 550 rupees each (£6)

- Moon Garden 200 rupees each (£2.20)

Taj Mahal in the distance