Getting train tickets for India is another challenge. It was complicated getting the process set up from Australia because needed both an email password and a phone password. We were waitlisted after we finally bought the tickets and then only had our tickets confirmed hours before we were due to depart.
In Agra, we had some time to spare so we went to the gardens of the maharajah and saw the Taj again but from across the river. It’s a good spot to take some more photos of the Taj if you have time. We got the 8.11pm overnight train to Varanasi. It took an extra 4 hours and there was no tap water but otherwise the trip was better than we expected.
We met our guide at 5pm. After wandering around the markets and alleyways, we took a boat ride on the Ganga. We watched the nightly ceremonies at the gnats. There were a number of fires to burn the bodies of the dead and then ceremonial singing and worshipping. It was an amazing experience to be there… it is hard to describe but was incredibly special.
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Travelling on the roads always provides lots of entertainment. There are always overcrowded vehicles and our driver pointed out a beautifully decorated Mercedes

We stopped at the highly decorated temple for Krishna with all its murals both inside and outside. Then further on along the road to Agra At another palace with an internal waterhole and rows and rows of seating for the families.

Our thoughts were on the Taj Mahal once we arrived in Agra. Unfortunately it was foggy and our guide suggested not going to the Taj early and starting at the Agra fort. Apparently it is clear skies in the summer but when it is very hot.We went to the fort but I was distracted by the getting to the Taj Mahal…

Once we finally got to the Taj it was wonderful of course. We chose to walk instead of getting a camel ride. It was foggy initially but the fog cleared a lot and all of my expectations were realised.
Our guide also suggested the photo of Paul holding up the Taj. Everyone does the same photos when you are there so noone feels that silly!!!!!

Jaipur is the last city we are visiting in Rajasthan. It is the pink city and many walls in the old city are painted pink. our first day we visited our driver’s family and had tea marsala which was very special. After that we went to a Rajasthan carnival with tightrope walking (no net), camel and elephant rides, dancing, music, sideshow amusements with guns and bows and arrows … it was lots of fun. There was a buffet vegetarian meal. We got a bit of everything but had mostly no idea what we were eating. We recognised the obvious like rice, pappadums, dahl and potato.
Yesterday we spent the day around Jaipur, mostly in the old city.We visted e Amber fort and took an elephant ride to the top. Our elephant was called Champa and was a young 25 year old and a bit smaller than most of the elephants. We were chased by a miniature picture hawker from beginning to end. Again I finally succumbed and thought I had a good deal, u til others started offering more fore less. Oh well!!!

In the Amber fort which was very old, there was a rudimentary air conditioned room with running water through a channel and the breeze would move across the water to cool the women in the hot summers. Not only that, but there was a room with many tiny mirrors in the ceiling. They would like a fire in each corner for the king and the room would be like one massive disco ball with scores of litle lights.




We visited the city palace and saw the biggest sundial in the world and the biggest silver urn in the world. It was an interesting mix of ancient sundials, some showing the time, some the astrology influences… it was fascinating. In the afternoon, we fought off buying carpets and jewellery again.