India – Agra

Arrived in Agra yesterday and checked into our hotel Grand Mercure, very nice modern hotel in the centre of the city, much smaller than Delhi, but no less crazy on the roads. Got a Tuk Tuk to a local wine store and stocked up on a few bottles and then chilled out by the pool and roof top bar in the pleasant warm sunshine.

Our driver and guide took us out to a restaurant he recommended called The Salt Cafe Kitchen. Delicious food at a very reasonable price, so if in Agra look this one up. There is a roof top option but that was a bit chilly so we went to the indoor restaurant.

So our main day in Agra involved a guided tour to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and it was unquestionably the highlight of the trip so far. I know the Taj Mahal is an iconic building, known the world over but seeing it in the flesh on a gorgeous sunny late winter morning was a sight to behold. It really is a majestic creation, and the Maugul emperor that had the vision to create this must have had some imagination. Incredibly it was all completed in just 22 years, which beggars belief when you see the worksmanship that has gone into it.

After that it was Agra Fort, and to be fair this is quite an incredible building also, with an amazing history, some of it, around 30% is still being used today by the Indian army. Overall an outstanding day of sightseeing and afterwards we were able to enjoy a few hours in the sunshine by the rooftop pool and bar reflecting over a few beers, perfect!