Taj Mahal

View of Taj from our Hotel Room Balcony

We left Delhi and drove the new super highway to Agra. The site of the Taj Mahal. The Taj is one of those iconic buildings that truly lives up to its reputation. We were here once before and are glad to return.

We are staying at a magnificent hotel: The Oberoi Amarvilas. It overlooks the Taj. The view from our hotel room and balcony are spectacular. John is staying at a nearby hotel but joined me for a tour. Cathy might be coming down with a cold and stayed behind.

Here is a video from our balcony of the pool area and of the taj. Click to view the video.

The hotel drove us in a golf card right up to the Taj’s gate. It made access very easy. We had an excellent guide who told us the history and the fables of this magnificent edifice. It was originally designed as the burial place for Mumtaz the favorite wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. She is buried there alongside of Shah Jahan. People like to say 2002 people are buried there, the two of them and over 2000 artisans that died creating the Taj. This being Sunday, the Taj was jammed with tourists, but it didn't spoil the magnificence of the building.

No matter, it is spectacular and no picture does it justice. Some things have to be experienced not written about, this is one of them.

After the tour we returned to the hotel for drinks and dinner.