After a decent nights sleep for all three of us, KK got to experience the ITC breakfast. They were properly impressed and we all enjoyed the fresh juice customized to our fruit/vegi choices, Indian specialties along with the normal Western choices (eggs, bacon, etc).  

We packed up and were ready for our 830a pick-up for the drive to Agra. We got settled in the SUV and soon left the Delhi traffic behind. The highway was 4 lanes on each direction and was clean/modern, with farmlands on both sides. Ken commented that he assumed all of India would be like the chaos of the cities, when in fact almost the entire 3.5 hour drive was through farmland. 

We stopped at a highway food/gas complex to hit the bathrooms, and found it quite similar to those we have at home...Subway and Costa Coffee included. We grabbed a coffee/soda and soon were in Agra, home to 2.5 million people, which seems small compared to the 17.5 million in Delhi!  

The road through the town was typical with cows and water buffalo wandering at will, small shops and carts/donkey/motorbikes competing for space with buses, cars and trucks. Soon we arrived at the ITC Moghul, a beautiful oasis of trees, wandering ponds and beautiful decorations. We got checked in and were happy to have both of our rooms upgraded to suites, Ken/mine to a large suite and Karen's to a junior suite.  

Since we had 3 hours before our tour, KK each booked a massage to help get the travel kinks out. I relaxed and wrote yesterdays blog! At 3:30pm, we met Lemon our tour guide for the two days in Agra. Our first stop was to Itimad-ud-Daulah, otherwise known as the Baby Taj (which is much easier to pronounce and remember). It was commissioned by the Nur Jahan, to honor her parents. Her step-son, Shah Jahan was inspired by the design and eventually built the big Taj. 

The design is quite intricate and as with the Taj the majority of the building is in marble and influenced by Islam. So, very symmetrical in the actual mausoleum and the surrounding gardens and structures. We saw the tombs of Nur's parents, as well as her brother and a few other relatives. 

After seeing the Baby Taj, it was time to get a good glimpse of the Big Taj. We went to the Mehtab Bagh Gardens located across the river from the Taj, where we could have a wonderful view of the back side of the iconic structure. And, it is quite the sight.  Similar to Machu Pichu, the Eiffel Tower or other sites you have seen pictures of your entire life, when you see it in person it is something special.  

We took some pictures, enjoyed the view and finally headed back to the hotel for some R&R. That means....Ken taking a nap, Karen enjoying the pool and me writing this! Dinner was in the bar with free drinks and a light meal at the main restaurant. Keeping Ken awake was not easy...so finally gave up and went to bed. 

Tomorrow the Taj!!!