The last two days have been so fantastic with everyone, I didn’t want it to end!

Monday we got up and ate way to much at breakfast before going to Agra fort and getting a in-depth history tour of it.

That’s not before mum discovered rig-amortise when passing cows in the street after her close encounter with a water buffalo in Goa and crossing the road, my god it was like tugging a dead weight across the road at the same time having the bones in your hand crushed!

Oh, and Aunty Lynne falling over and cutting her knee, shoulder and face. It’s not a holiday if Aunty Lynne doesn’t fall over and do the dying fly! Haha!

It was so bloody hot, no breezy air in he middle of the country. Just hot air and burny sun!

The afternoon called for the pool and some beer!!

This evening we all got dressed up in or traditional Indian outfits and celebrated Ross birthday, much to his disappointment we had another Indian cake and good old song song for him, he was so embarrassed haha. The entire time at dinner there was insane lightning, as soon as we finished our table had about 5 waiters on it clearing everything like flies because the wind had picked up and they were due a storm! Damn right they were. It was nuts and came out of nowhere, we lost power twice! It was awesome to see!

Tuesday - a very early wake up call at 5.45am to go to the Taj Mahal before it got hot and the crowds flocked in.

We all got in one tuk tuk to the taj, much to mum and aunty Lynne’s disappointment! Haha. We were sat on each other’s laps squeezing ourselves in!

We still had 1km to walk to get the east gate of the taj. The tuk tuk driver dropped us off confidently at the police traffic gate where there was a guide waiting. He followed us and followed us, he wanted 4500 ruppees (£50) for a tour, on your bike mate! That’s not happening any time soon!
He finally got the message and we got to the gate where a guide wanted 900 ruppees (£10) and he had a proper red guide lanyard on and his license with him. Let’s go with that I think!

It’s still all as beautiful as before, everyone was blown away and me just the same! The thought and passion that went into it all those ears ago is amazing, and everything was hand carved after the elephants carried one piece of marble each from Pakistan which took 8 days to get there. No wonder why it took so long to build (22 years)!

If only the king at the time hadn’t been imprisoned by his greedy son and could have finished building the black Taj Mahal on the opposite side of the river, that would have been spectacular!

We got back to the hotel in time for breakfast, that was a little weird coming back for it after doing such a big sightseeing piece.

We got changed and ready to go back out to try and do a little bit of shopping, Ross wasn’t up for joining.

Everything got a little stressful with tuc tucs, I hate being ripped off! Even if the others think it’s only £3. That’s still loads in their world. We went to the markets that the receptionists recommended for tourists.

It was busy and crowded, full of things that we didn’t need or want and it was super super hot.

Aunty Lynne got a dirty look off a little older lady with her sari material over her head, me and mum were in stitches! It was hilarious how she double looked at her.
Mum still battling the fears of cows and the thought that they are walking towards us once they move their head (they are the most dislike animals you will ever meet in your life may I just add) so funny!

After over an hour of walking up and down this long street full of s***ty shops but full of experiences we were super hot and Aunty Lynne had her second trip of the holiday, she must love it down there with all the cow s*** and sewerage, I tell you!

After that the rickshaw drivers were waiting for us and took us to a market that had better tourist gear, the one shop that seemed to be in Agra, were all the Chinese tourist coach buses turned up to get them to buy expensive souvenirs, stuff you can get a third of the price anywhere else. Agra is proving to be the most expensive place I’ve been in India - ever.

The drivers stopped, we did not want to get out but they insisted it was great place, yeah my arse! We haven’t come in on the last banana boat mate!

We got a bit arsy and insisted we went back to the hotel. Getting a little stressed, hot and frustrated we needed to get away from the horns and sit in the pool away from it all, the view of the taj from there was delightful!

We spent the afternoon there chilling out and drinking overly priced kingfisher with my boom box going.

This evening we weren’t being ripped off or having poor service in the hotel so we went opposite to a place called ‘mocha’ it had a lovey ambiance about it with the wooden furniture and quirky seating area.

After a few kingfishers and lots of food we couldn’t fit any air in to breathe let alone move. It was a bloody struggle! The food left over we had in a doggy bag and we took to the homeless family sleeping on a piece of material next the road outside our hotel. We woke the dad up and gave him the food so that the dogs wouldn’t eat it. They were thankful, but I think they would be for anything to be honest bless them.

Couldn’t wait for bed but at the same one wasn’t looking forward to tomorrow because it was one for me to go home.

Wednesday - had a s***ty night sleep up and down to the toilet. Uh oh! Then I got woken up at 7am by the India travel holiday company to confirm our pick up and my flight times. Awesome time to wake us up! Then mum and dad woke us up half hour later to go for breakfast. By that time we got up and went downstairs anyways, dad made friends with the omelette man who kept making him a traditional and special dish, this morning he ate 3 courses for breakfast haha!

We had pick up at 11am but dad found he driver around the corner and we went earlier. Meaning we got to Delhi at 3pm, 5 and half hours early for my flight so we went to their hotel first, ‘ the park’ and then a new driver came to pick me up from there to take me.

At least they are at their hotel and I’ve had a lie down on a bed for a bit longer. Not that I’m travelling as much as they will be tomorrow, my flight is only three and half hours to Dubai from Delhi.

We had a last beer (expensive beer) at the hotel before the dreaded goodbyes came. I promise myself every time I’m not going to cry but as soon as i see their eyes getting small I get a lump in my throat and it sets me off! Dad was super upset I was on the verge of getting out the car and staying, not even bothering going back to dubai. When does this get any easier?

After about 30 minutes of crying, the driver telling me ‘it will be okay Ma’am’ and handing me tissues I managed to compose myself and get myself through the car journey and process check in.

The first thing I seen was an Irish bar, that’ll do the trick! Two pints and some spinach and cheese croutons and I was feeling normal again. Ready to board the plane and take a long nap so that I won’t remember the flight.

Back to reality tomorrow, where has the time gone again?!

But what an amazing time we had at that!