Our energy is up again, I am amazed at how well everyone is coping with the hectic schedule. Our trip has been amazing, full of daily adventures and surreal new experiences. We are meeting people that we will enrich our lives forever. We are travelling at a good pace, especially while juggling 3 busy kids.
Today, we depart Ranthambore, via a seven hour bus ride, for Agra (home of the Taj Mahal and more famously home of Pratibha Maasi Ji, Anu and Manu bhaia and Vinay.)
En route we visited Fatehpur Sikri a magnificent Ancient city. This stunning city was briefly the capital of a large empire built by Emperor Akhar to honor Saint Salim who foretold the birth of Akbar's son and heir. It was built entirely in vibrant red sandstone, architecturally it draws its inspiration from Hindu and Persian styles.
Nina Bua entertains the kids (and all of us really) with her Bengal Tiger impressions!
Upon arrival to Agra, Pratibha Maasi Ji had a spectacular 10 course meal waiting for us. She greeted us at her door with an Arti blessing and graciously welcomed us into her home. We were ecstatic to see Manu and meet another cousin, Vinay. It was a grand welcome, we are definitely spoiled travellers.
First full day in Agra...Valentine's Day...ummm what should we do? I know why not visit one of the most romantic places on earth, The Taj Mahal!
The Taj Mahal is stunning, regarded as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Emperor Shah Jahan immortalized his wife/empress, Mumtaz Mahal ("Light in the Palace") by building this monument, in her memory, as reflection of his love for her.
Words and pictures will not provide the Taj Mahal justice. Ajeet has seen the Taj on his last trip here, and after seeing many forts and palaces over the last few weeks he initially thought seeing the Taj would be no big deal. But as we entered through the arched gates and saw the Taj, he was still blown away as we all paused and stood in awe of this amazing site. The architecture, marble carvings, precious stones delicately inlaid into marble walls forming intricate designs, expansive size, reflection pool. The Taj is truly an experience that pictures and words will never attain.
Alok giving Ajeet Pranam (or adjusting his shoe cover). What brotherly love!
After being awed by the Taj Mahal, Manu and Vinay took Gordon and I on a city search for suitcases, Bianca decided to come for fun...and I don't think she was disappointed! This was no ordinary trip.
3 hours later, after watching Manu persuade 2 shop keepers to open their stores, some Nascar style driving by Vinay and a congested market walk to a side shop where Manu again had a connection, success was ours. Gordon and I both had 2 top quality suitcases at a bargain price.
This is us (left) maneuvering through a local market (Manu, in red check shirt, and myself just inches behind him). Manu lead us to a side shop where the owner (obviously a well known acquaintance of his) sold Gordon a great suitcase at "warehouse price".
Vinay was now under very specific instructions to get us to Agra Fort....Fast! Once you have experienced the road congestion in India; you realize this is an impossible request.
I have no photos of this manic drive as I was literally having to focus on maintain my breathing. The intensity of these driving conditions are well beyond anything I have seen. Maneuvering around fruit vendors, horses, bulls, trucks, cars, rickshaws and people everywhere...Vinay was a superstar!
Before meeting up with the rest of our group, Manu bought us some freshly squeezed orange juice (the oranges were green, hence a sweeter taste). A cow quickly appeared to feast on the pulp and peel of the orange as it was squeezed in front of us.
As we were waiting, numerous young (less than 6 years old) children began grabbing/holding my hand, begging for money. Manu let me give some money to the kids (just as we were leaving), as of course I was instantly swarmed by at least 15 more wanting their share. There was one boy would began yelling something, which I later discovered was "money", to let the others know to come running. Manu snickered at my naivety, thinking these coins were in any way going to help forward these kids, but I really didn't know what else to do. As Gordon mentioned earlier in the blogs, it was more to ease my conscience than actually help the children.
Last stop Agra Fort. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar (also built Fatehpur Sikiri) established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture, rebuilding this fort as a beautiful fort palace. The work highlighted the Mughal's ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture.
There was a richly decorated marble area of the palace (left photo) where Shah Jahan (the one who had the Taj Mahal built in memory of his wife) spent the last years of his life in solitude. He was imprisoned by his own son, confined to a small private quarters of Agra Fort, with a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna.
Next stop Varansi..we meet the rest of the Dubey family!
Shannon, Ajeet, Jaya and Savitri
Today, we depart Ranthambore, via a seven hour bus ride, for Agra (home of the Taj Mahal and more famously home of Pratibha Maasi Ji, Anu and Manu bhaia and Vinay.)
En route we visited Fatehpur Sikri a magnificent Ancient city. This stunning city was briefly the capital of a large empire built by Emperor Akhar to honor Saint Salim who foretold the birth of Akbar's son and heir. It was built entirely in vibrant red sandstone, architecturally it draws its inspiration from Hindu and Persian styles.
Nina Bua entertains the kids (and all of us really) with her Bengal Tiger impressions!
Upon arrival to Agra, Pratibha Maasi Ji had a spectacular 10 course meal waiting for us. She greeted us at her door with an Arti blessing and graciously welcomed us into her home. We were ecstatic to see Manu and meet another cousin, Vinay. It was a grand welcome, we are definitely spoiled travellers.
First full day in Agra...Valentine's Day...ummm what should we do? I know why not visit one of the most romantic places on earth, The Taj Mahal!
The Taj Mahal is stunning, regarded as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Emperor Shah Jahan immortalized his wife/empress, Mumtaz Mahal ("Light in the Palace") by building this monument, in her memory, as reflection of his love for her.
On her death bed Empress Mumtaz Mahal asked 3 things of her husband:
1. He never marry again (Shah Jahan was in his early 30s when Mumtaz died this was a huge request).
2. He take care of their children to the best of his ability.
3. He build something to show the world how strong their love is, hence the Taj Mahal.
Shah Jahan fulfilled all 3 requests of his late wife.
Words and pictures will not provide the Taj Mahal justice. Ajeet has seen the Taj on his last trip here, and after seeing many forts and palaces over the last few weeks he initially thought seeing the Taj would be no big deal. But as we entered through the arched gates and saw the Taj, he was still blown away as we all paused and stood in awe of this amazing site. The architecture, marble carvings, precious stones delicately inlaid into marble walls forming intricate designs, expansive size, reflection pool. The Taj is truly an experience that pictures and words will never attain.
Alok giving Ajeet Pranam (or adjusting his shoe cover). What brotherly love!
After being awed by the Taj Mahal, Manu and Vinay took Gordon and I on a city search for suitcases, Bianca decided to come for fun...and I don't think she was disappointed! This was no ordinary trip.
3 hours later, after watching Manu persuade 2 shop keepers to open their stores, some Nascar style driving by Vinay and a congested market walk to a side shop where Manu again had a connection, success was ours. Gordon and I both had 2 top quality suitcases at a bargain price.
Vinay was now under very specific instructions to get us to Agra Fort....Fast! Once you have experienced the road congestion in India; you realize this is an impossible request.
I have no photos of this manic drive as I was literally having to focus on maintain my breathing. The intensity of these driving conditions are well beyond anything I have seen. Maneuvering around fruit vendors, horses, bulls, trucks, cars, rickshaws and people everywhere...Vinay was a superstar!
As we were waiting, numerous young (less than 6 years old) children began grabbing/holding my hand, begging for money. Manu let me give some money to the kids (just as we were leaving), as of course I was instantly swarmed by at least 15 more wanting their share. There was one boy would began yelling something, which I later discovered was "money", to let the others know to come running. Manu snickered at my naivety, thinking these coins were in any way going to help forward these kids, but I really didn't know what else to do. As Gordon mentioned earlier in the blogs, it was more to ease my conscience than actually help the children.
Last stop Agra Fort. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar (also built Fatehpur Sikiri) established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture, rebuilding this fort as a beautiful fort palace. The work highlighted the Mughal's ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture. 
There was a richly decorated marble area of the palace (left photo) where Shah Jahan (the one who had the Taj Mahal built in memory of his wife) spent the last years of his life in solitude. He was imprisoned by his own son, confined to a small private quarters of Agra Fort, with a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna.Next stop Varansi..we meet the rest of the Dubey family!
Shannon, Ajeet, Jaya and Savitri
Lovely description, Shannon. Loved reading it.
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