OK, so after a 5.30 get-up we made our way to Delhi train station for the 3 hour journey to Agra - home of the Taj Mahal.At this point, we were very pleased to have our guide, Chandra, who got us onto the train and into our pre-booked seats, as people were literally jumping onto the moving train as it pulled into the station.And there we sat, watching India go by, taking in the beautiful countryside and every 200 metres a man squatting down by the tracks, managing to look both slightly sheepish and nonchalant while going for his morning constitution (apparently this is a sight to be expected before 9 in the morning!).

Once in Agra, we visited the Red Fort (Belle thought it was pretty dull but Stu was quite taken with the stories of the Mogul dynasty - he will bore you with this when we get home if you're not quick to change the subject!).We also visited a carpet-making factory , which although you might be thinking sounds even more dull, was actually quite fascinating.It is run by a non-government organisation, the likes of which are becoming more and more popular in India as they ensure the corrupt government doesn't enforce their taxes on the poor.This particular factory provides the village people with the training and necessary resources to make carpets in their home and earn a living.

The highlight of the day was definitely the Taj Mahal, though.The whole thing was built for the sole purpose of housing Shah Jahan's wife's tomb (he was the Mogul emperor), and as cheesy as it sounds, this building, which is "arguably one of the greatest testaments to love", is as breathtaking as it looks on postcards - Stu and his camera were in their element!What made the visit even more memorable was the fact that we were constantly asked for our photos to be taken with people, including a whole class of school children - they were so lovely and friendly we were completely taken in by them all.

Before we left Agra the following morning we couldn't resist getting up at 5.30 to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise from the other side of the river where the tourists don't go. Although the poverty we had to drive through to get to this point was pretty heart-breaking - there was no real housing, just shelters built out of whatever was available, rubbish and stray dogs everywhere and people just sleeping on roadsides - the sight of the Taj Mahal under the red glow of the Indian early morning was worth getting up for.

We are now in Orchha until Wednesday night and will keep you in suspense until we have left here before posting our "Orchaa blog".

Thanks again for the messages…. Come on you England!

Mums and Dads, we will try to call you either later today or tomorrow as no doubt you are worried about your babies!We are fine, though, despite the fact that we now have to go back to our tent which is currently inhabited by Barry the beetle and an unnamed critter the size of Milton Keynes!

Bye for now…. Lots of love… Nic and Stu xxx