23 June - Our next train journey was a short 1.5 hours to Agra on Dan's Birthday - what better place to celebrate than in the city of the beautiful Taj Mahal. We checked in to the very nice 5* Trident Hotel making the most of the Monsoon Specials that abound everywhere - this deal included happy hour between 6.00pm and 7.00pm which was buy one get one free - Heather loves a bargain! So, our first steps in to Agra was a visit to the "Baby Taj", which is a tomb of a chief minister & Father in Law of Emperor Jahangir - it is also the first building in Agra to be faced entirely in marble. Its actual name is Itimad-ud-Daulah (pronounced Atma Dolla), and was well worth the visit as there were very few tourists and is a gorgeously decorated building.

Next stop was a drive over the Yamuna river to Mehtab Bagh, a park on the opposite side of the river to the Taj Mahal giving the most fantastic views of this majestic creation - lots and lots of photos were taken today.

We got back to the hotel for happy hour and celebrated Dan's Birthday with a couple of cocktails before dinner. Perfect end to a perfect day.

24th June - Alarm was set for 5.15am ready to meet our driver at 5.45am to get to the gate at opening time of 6.00am, all to beat the crowds (although we were definitely not alone). The Taj Mahal, a "living example of eternal love". Emperor Shah Jahan had other wives but Mumtaz Mahal, meaning Jewel of the palace and a title he bestowed her with, was his favourite. She died giving birth to their 14th child and on her deathbed, Shah Jahan promised he would never remarry and would build the richest mausoleum over her grave. It took 22 years to construct and on his death in 1666, his body was placed in a tomb next to hers. The monument came to be known as the Taj Mahal and now counts amongst the seven wonders of the world.

Having admired the Taj Mahal in pictures, coming face to face with this creation was a unique and awe-inspiring experience, a beautiful memory made. No wonder it's one of the most visited sites in India.

Buzzing from the experience, we went back to the hotel for a shower and breakfast before our next visit to Agra Fort.