Got to Agra quite late on the 7th and arrived at our home stay. The family were extremely welcoming, especially the mum of the house. They were a Hindu family, and Liz explained that it would be my birthday the next day and she replied that we must celebrate which was exciting!

On the 8th we woke up earlier as we had planned to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise - early start at 5am! I opened all my cards that I had been saving since the start of the trip, (I had tried to open them a couple of times but Liz had stopped me!) and Iain had bought me some chocolates which were lovely, then we set off to see the Taj. I was a little worried it would be overrated as everyone says how amazing it would be, but it was truly magnificent. We got to the Taj when it first opened which was great as there were hardly any other tourists around. After getting lots and lots of pictures we sat and watched the sunlight come up over it and the colours change. Inside the Taj is also beautifully decorated with marble and gems and the two tombs.

After taking sooo many pics and taking it all in we headed back to the home stay for breakfast to prepare for the rest of the day. We went to Agra fort -yes,another fort! Again it was pretty spectacular in it's own right, but after Agra fort we felt that was our limit for fort seeing for the trip! We then went for lunch - a cute rooftop cafe which had average food but an amazing view of the Taj Mahal.

For sunset we went to the other side of the Taj Mahal to watch the sunset over the river. Again it was beautiful and great to make the most of being there!

After Liz and I went bangle shopping in the local markets. They have shops which only sell bangles, so the walls are covered in all different colours and styles, and all the local ladies are there trying them on and deciding out of the millions to choose from. Liz kindly bought me some bangles for my birthday as well giving me some spices from the plantation we had been to so I had some perfect Indian presents!

In the evening we had a meal at the home stay. The owners had bought me a cake and Liz had bought some happy birthday candles which she had her dad bring out. I was also given a Hindu blessing and had a birthday bindi - which is red paint with rice - and a gift. We sat with the owners of Amand home stay chatting, such a nice birthday and amazing experience to see one of the seven wonders!