April 1st continued
Today we arrive in Agra, tomorrow we are going to see the Taj Mahal. How many Palaces, Tombs and Forts have we visited by this, Day 6? Fatepur Sikri is certainly a destination that one may never have heard of, though on the road from Jaipur to Agra it fits well into The Golden Triangle.
The signage in the car park amused as ever. The Indians may pride themselves on the perfection of their English, the sign writers may be in on the joke.
As we alighted, a tall Tower-like construction appeared to be our objective. Bhupi, our guide, led us in the other direction. Maybes later.
We have come to know that the exterior of Indian Architecture is all a Facade (sorry), it is what lies beyond the first Gate that is the focal point of any visit. However, we have become used to Ourselves being an attraction too.
The best of Bhupi’s – Explanations – today was the bed of Akbar The Great. He was only four foot eighth, allegedly. His bedroom had water traps, not to drown any would-be assassins, but so that they might make a noise as they approached. Akbar’s Bed was higher off the ground than he could see, one has to wonder about the height of his Concubine’s sleeping places.
The Buildings as ever make one marvel as progression is made through the complex. Some of the stone carvings were very Harry Potter-like, reminiscent of the moving stairways in the first movie.
What was the Big Tower on the other side of the car park? An active Mosque, perhaps.
The Replacement Samsung confirmed we were on the outskirts of Agra, time to stop, again. It has been a long day.
Sikandra
This is the burial place of Akbar The Great, so today we have been to his Playground Palace, now pay homage. One might think that the Moghul Architecture is starting to look the same… they were more blatant in – their inspirations – than Led Zeppelin (allegedly).
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Ten years from now, Marg will recall Sikandra more than any sight visited on this Tour to date. The Wildlife. The Bambi-variants, the Parakeets, and the Chipmunks playing Possum. This made her day.
Finally, it was time to check-in at the Gateway Hotel. We have travelled by train, had three Breakfasts, and visited all of the above. Priority #1 for Marg was a swim, Hector had a Restaurant Curry in mind. Others did the necessaries and were straight out for a Wine/Bier.
The Travel Company had said we would have Taj Mahal View – rooms. Rosemary, our UK Guide, told us not to be too hopeful. Would expect to see a bit. On our fourth floor room, Marg pulled back the curtain, we are not in Torquay.
Marg had her swim. Despite the temperature rising every day, the thought ofexternally applied Cold Water still did not appeal to The Hector. 41°C is still in my comfort zone as long as it is a Dry Heat, and there is the promise of Cold Bier after sunset. If only swimming pool water was as warm as Kibbutz Ashdot Ya’akov (Me’uchad). Time to get a bit of Blogging done.
Agra Outside
Suitably attired, we left the safety of the Gateway Hotel. Bhupi had put it to us that if the Taj Mahal was not in Agra, then nobody would come to this city. He warned us about the usual harassment from Market Sellers, but described an anticipated Swarm of people wishing to exploit. No eye contact – was his recommended tactic. Nice.
As ever, the Security at the Hotel Gate bade us farewell. For the first time on this trip our Hotel was right in the heart of the action, one hundred metres from a busy junction. Hector had managed to find useful information from – Other Sources – we had approached the Gateway Hotel along the road of Coffee Houses and Restaurants, I had chosen Spice Hut to be the choice. There was a Small Problem.
The Cash Reserves had taken a hammering in Jaipur. The plan was to visit an ATM near our Hotel last night, we had not. Google Maps showed one machine to the right of our Hotel, more to the left, where The Action was.
It was Marg’s turn to withdraw Cash. Had she told her bank she was coming to India? No. First one machine, then the next, nothing. The machines take your card, think about it, ask you for your PIN, take an age, then do nothing. One cannot move on, will the Cash come? Armed Guards were on duty at the kiosks containing the ATMs. The sun had set, today was the most Humid day of our Trip. Frustration? Some Locals managed withdrawals, some did not. It is a Saturday, have all the machines been hammered since Friday?
As we marched further, Marg was offered – Help – she declined, politely That was it, this Chap followed us for ten minutes, back to junction, along the other road, he knew what we wanted, Aye Right. We stopped, he stopped. He’s gone. He’s back. For the first time, possibly this century, Mr. Taylor raised his voice – GO AWAY! He didn’t, but gave in two minutes later. Back to the Hotel.
Hector Elizondo
The new plan was to try and take out Cash from a pre-paid credit card. We had past a Bureau, but thought we should try the Hotel first. Doris on Reception knew nothing. The Maitre d’ was summoned, he was a Hector! I shall give you my car – was his opening remark. I heard this as – I shall give you my card. This made no sense. Another Chap was summoned, The Driver, we were led to a Big F-O Vehicle, he had been instructed to take us to an ATM that worked. I knew where the next ones were thanks to Mr. Google, a greater distance than we were prepared to walk.
As I alighted at the first machine, the Guard said something in Hindi to The Driver. Back to the car. And so it went on. Finally a Kiosk with two machines. The first was empty. The second had Cash, would it give us any? A Local stepped in, he had everyone give us space, the Reverse Ritual was commenced. Rupees! Hundreds of them! We can eat! We did.
It was Hotel ripoff priced Kingfisher thereafter.
Tomorrow, we have to be up even earlier than today to be at the Taj Mahal for sunrise. Why?
The Hotel and Restaurants visited today:
India Trip 2016 – Day 7 – Agra, Uttar Pradesh – The Taja Mahal, Agra Fort + I’timad-ud-Daulah
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