Well, I've already done the blog today, but it did not save, so here goes again!We are in Agra, as no trip to India would be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal.We arrived yesterday on the train, and found baboons outside the room at our hotel!We then arranged for a rickshaw to take us to visit Agra Fort and to see marble tables etc being made in the traditional way (the way that the Taj Mahal was made). The fort was great, and really well preserved.We spent a couple of hours looking around and then headed back to the rickshaw.When we got there the rickshaw driver had called his English friend (Andy) and he had come along to meet us, so we all went to see the marble being made.It was great to see the long, slow process that they went through to complete the Taj Mahal, and that they go through now in Agra still to make gifts for the tourists to buy.The government encourages this handicraft, and it seems they help out with finances in some ways.The way that they shape the jewels and stones to decorate the marble is by using a filing wheel which they operate with one hand and a stick, and then they hold the stone in the other hand to shape it.They showed us how the orange jewels light up when you put a torch over them (and they do in the Taj Mahal) and showed us that true marble will light up when you put a torch underneath, whereas sandstone fakes won't and they are lighter.We then went to see the shop, which had some amazing things but they were very expensive!After, we went to a restaurant with Andy and the rickshaw driver and then got a lift home with someone from the restaurant, for an early night, as an early start in the morning.

We got up at 5.30am to go to the Taj Mahal, as it opens at 6.30, but you can buy tickets from 6am.Our hotel was 2 minutes from the ticket office, so we got there at 6.05 and there was already quite a queue!It cost us 750 Rupees each, about 11.00GBP to get in, and for Indian tourists it is 10 Rupees (about 14p).Graham was not allowed in, as he had a torch with him, to see the marble light up.They did not have this on the rules, but made him put it into a locker though.The Taj Mahal was amazing.It was great to see it early in the morning as there was some mist around and not too many people.It was much smaller inside than we thought it would be and you cannot take pictures, which is why we had never seen the inside before!Inside is the grave of the maharaja's favourite wife, as it was built to commemorate her as she died giving birth to her 14th child.He was then buried to the left of her when he died 30 or so years later.I don't really know how else to describe it. It was just fantastic!

We then came back to the hotel to have breakfast and have a nap.The rickshaw then took us to the park across the river from the Taj Mahal later this afternoon.This is where it was planned to build a black marble Taj Mahal and have a silver bridge joining the two across the water.The maharaja's son however, put him in jail to stop this happening.I'm not sure of the full story, but I'm guessing it was for his own sanity!The foundations are there in the park, and you get a great view of the Taj Mahal at sunset.Plus it was quite quiet over there with few tourists, so that was good.

They seem to be trying to clean up Agra, as many people had told us it was a bit of a dump.There does seem to be some plans for regeneration, we heard that they want to remove all the buildings close to the Taj Mahal, and already cars and auto rickshaws cannot go near.I have mixed feelings about the place.We have met some very kind people (like everywhere) but there are also those who just want money from you.There are many children begging and people hanging around the Taj Mahal wanting to be your guide, to look after your shoes or point you to the best places to take pictures from. They then expect money in return, even if you did not want to be told where to take your photo from.However, you can just walk away.On the other side there are great people who do just want to help you.On the train we were sat near a family and the mother was concerned we were on the wrong train.A shop keeper today was really friendly and helpful, and our rickshaw driver has been great.Also the internet place I'm in now has let me do this for free, as I lost the work earlier.I suppose it is like everywhere though, there's always good and bad.

Anyway, tomorrow we head for Kanpur on an afternoon train.Just 6 hours, but we have AC so that should be ok and we have bought some games to play!

Hope all is well with everyone.

Maggie x