Delhi again

Leaving Jaipur it took us about 6 hours to get to Agra, it was quite a slow drive with roadworks slowing it down even more. When we arrived it was stonking hot with no breeze. I retreated to my air con room to sort out some of my photos etc. Quite a few people got rickshaws round to the back of the Taj for sunset but I didn't go. Feeling a little ratty from the heat I choose to wait till the next morning so that I could really enjoy it. And I wasn't disappointed!

I left the hotel at 5.30am and got to the 2nd gate 10minutes before it opened. Tom was first in line to tickets and as soon as the clock striked 6am Tom, Alex and I were through the gates and into to the Taj. We had somehow manged to be the only of our group to go to the 2nd gate, (everyone else was at the main gate which has a longer walk into the main front of the Taj). Walking into the Taj gardens with no one else there was amazing! It was so quiet and peaceful and the Taj looked magnificent. I couldn't stop smiling and jumping about in glee like a little kid! I was completely taken by the Taj's beauty and think that it is the most romantic place I have been in my life. It was just stunning! Love it! I ended up staying there for a good two hours just looking at it at points in awe. You have to see it!!!

Having seen the Taj early I had time to relax and also post home my purchases from Jaipur. This was a bit of a headache because the customs officer decided that he had to look through every single item that we had! It was his first day and it showed! After 2 hours we emerged successful, job done.

That evening I headed back to Delhi on the train. It was like flying in an aeroplane! My dinner was brought to me on a plate and my seat reclined right back! When we arrived back in Delhi there was a storm (the monsoon is coming!), the sky was lit up with violet lightning! A wicked site. Back at Hotel 55 we were welcomed back with huge smiles and cold beers in the fridge waiting for us! Up early the next day I headed to the Red Fort which was the most un fort like fort I've been to with palaces and banquet halls being the main attraction! After the fort we headed away from old Delhi and ate lunch at a really old style colonial restaurant. It was really cool and very well priced! They even served proper bread rolls and butter! We managed to have a little bit of time left before we had to catch the train so visited a few shops and the post office for postcards.

Arriving at New Delhi Station it was mayhem (as it seems to always be), our train was already at the platform ready. I think it was be the longest train I've ever seen (seriously!) finding our carriage and checking our names against the list (which had FT for Foreign Tourist next to each of our names) we climbed aboard! It was exactly as I expected, we were in one long carriage with a small berth for 6 of us. Our beds were fold down covered planks which I found surprisingly easy to sleep on. I was out like a light at a about 11pm! I am glad that we chose to go 2nd class because we got to look out of the windows and even hang out the door as we travelled! We did get a few people ask why were not in 1st class but it wouldn't have been the same. Pulling into Varanasi this morning we were all sweaty and ready to hit the shower! We met the rest of the group at the hotel in time for breakfast, beans on toast! Get in!

I'm going to spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool and catching up on sleep, I've had shed loads of early mornings lately!

I can't add any photos on from here but strangely can listen to Radio One so I'm just enjoying Gordon Ramsey with Chris Moyles! Just like being at home!

I can't believe that India is almost over, Friday we'll make our way to the boarder and I think we will cross over to Nepal on Saturday. I've loved India and will defiantly visit again and explore more!

Lots of love from Nicole xxx