Hello everybody!

We're now safely back in Delhi after 2 days touring the 'Golden Triangle', in Jaipur and Agra. Friday morning was an early start as we got on our coach and drew straws as to who sat next to a man with hairy ears, Alex lost. (We tried to take a picture but he was too sharp!) 4 hours of manic Indian driving later we arrived at Amber Fort, in old Jaipur. This is a 400 year old palace perched high above the city with some incredible views and beautiful architecture, aswell as a slightly militant tour guide. ("I do very good explain, you come quick, listen to me"). Lunch in a small roadside restraunt was an eye opener but luckily Arun was there to?guide us through the menu safely! We then moved on to Jaipur Haat for some retail therapy, and a camel ride for Alex and Arun!

The afternoon took us to City Palace, recently visted by the Queen, as well as Charles, Dianna, and Camilla (not at the same time!). The palace was home?to the kings of Rajistan, including a 250kg (40 stone) beast! (we saw his trousers). We were guided round the art gallery, dancing courtyard,?textiles museum?and armoury. Next door was Janter Manta, an outdoor collection of complex sundials and astrological devices which were used to read the stars in the search for auspicous dates, and other prophesy. We moved from here to a stunning?white marble temple where arun found enlightenment sitting on the steps.

We spent the night in a "3-Star" hotel in Jaipur before departing at 4.30 in the morning for another epic days drive to Agra. We declined the offer of breakfast at a self service roadside cafe, with stunning sewer-side views (it must have been bad for Dave to say no!), instead we stayed on the coach watching a man play with his monkey, 1st class entertainment! Fatiphur Sikri was our next stop, a beutiful palace home to the Mogul Emperor Sharjahan and his 3 wives. Before lunch we visited his second home in Agra, which offered stunning views over the Yumuna to the Taj Mahal.?

It seemed the last day and a half had been a build up to this?but it was now time to see the Taj Mahal itself. The coach took us to the bottom of the west gate, and a short camel ride took us the rest of the way. Coming through the final arch we were all stunned to silence by the magnificent sight of the pure white marble greatest tribute to love in the world. The Taj Mahal.?2 hours here seemed barely enough to take in all there was to see and enjoy. The prefect symmetry of the Taj can be appreciated as you walk up the central path cooled by the number of fountains that run down the middle, as you approach the monument its size makes you crane your?neck, something that unfortunately cannot be conveyed through photographs. Although there were alot of people?the tranquility of this setting was blissful. This was never more clear than inside the tomb where silence and a refreshing cool filled the air, even on a blisteringly hot day. Leaving the Taj was something that none of us wanted to do, but our time there was thoroughly enjoyed.

On the drive back to Delhi we stopped of at the site of Krishna's birth, obviously a very important religious site given the vast crowd and intense security. This was the final stop on our tour, and we were pleased to finally arrive in Delhi at around 11 o'clock, thoroughly exhausted, but still able to eat 2 helpings of Grandma Kalra's curry before bed!