Taj Maaal

The alarm was set to coincide with a sunrise over the Taj. As we had done a rekky the day before we knew exactly how long it would take to get to the entrance gate. What we weren't sure of was how to purchase a ticket! Luckily, as I am such a great guide, I had read in the book the name of the government office and we walked straight past it until I noticed the name sign. M&D got in the queue and James and I walked down to the entrance to get into the queue there. Getting through security was a grand affair and I nearly all of my possessions confiscated. The torch, that Lonely Planet, advised that I took was not allowed, Sam the bear, who has been travelling the world with us, was not allowed and the T Shirt the girls made me was, yep you've guessed it… not allowed! The T Shirt was classed as Taj contraband because of the writing on it, you are not permitted to take in pens as people have written on the walls so perhaps this was the reason, or they thought I was making some sort of political statement. Either way James came and took the things off of me and I wore the T shirt and we were finally allowed in. At this point we didn't realise that Dad, who had his biscuits taken from him had just picked them up from the tray-we are all so naughty!

Seeing another of the seven wonders was a special experience and the grand building is something that words cannot describe, perhaps the hundreds of photos we all took will! We spent a few hours walking around the gardens, into the mausoleum, around the mosque on either side and taking even more photos. It really is a magical place, perhaps made even more impressive as we know what lies beyond the walls of the complex, the stinky town of Agra! When the sun rose over the walls and onto the Taj it illuminated the white walls and highlighted the intricate detail of the Muslim architecture-just stunning.

We made use of the gorgeous weather by relaxing in the sun in the afternoon; well we had to do something after that full body massage! With all the relaxing we were tired out so we had a buffet dinner and played some more cards before bed. We fell asleep with the memories of the Taj floating above us; a magnificent monument in an incredible country.