2011 - H & A WORLD CRUISE - AGRA FORT

AGRA FORT

WE HAD A DELAY AT AGRA AIRPORT & I SPENT THE TIME CHATTING TO THE INDIAN GUYS THERE. ABOUT CRICKET MAINLY, BUT THEY DID PUT ME RIGHT ABOUT THE AGRA FORT. I HAD BEEN CALLING IT THE RED FORT & ALTHOUGH IT DOES LOOK A LITTLE RED, THE ACTUAL RED FORT IS IN DELHI OR I COULD BE WRONG ABOUT THAT TOO.

ANYWAY - THIS IS THE AGRA FORT

IT'S JUST ALONG THE RIVER FROM THE TAJ MAHAL & WHILE THE TAJ IS VERY BEAUTIFUL, I PREFERRED VISITING THE FORT MORE.

THE TAJ ALSO HAD TOO MANY PEOPLE THERE TO APPRECIATE FULLY.

MY WIFE WAS THERE WITH THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA ( NAME DROPPING AGAIN ) & THE TAJ WAS CLOSED TO ANY OTHER VISITORS BESIDES THE PRIME MINISTERS PARTY. ONE OF THE PERKS - I BET THEY LET HIM IN FOR FREE TOO.

MY WIFE HAD A STORY SHE WAS TOLD AT THE TAJ BUT WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM ON MY VISIT.
AS YOU KNOW, THE TAJ IS MADE OF WHITE MARBLE, A COLD ROCK. IN SOME PLACES. THE TAJ HAS FRESCO LIKE CUTS MADE IN IT. THE OUTSIDE OF THE CUT IS WIDER THAN THE INSIDE SO WHEN A BREEZE BLOWS THROUGH, IT SPEEDS UP & SO COOLS DOWN.

17TH CENTURY AIR CONDITIONING. I HESITATE TO SAY THIS BUT - HOW COOL IS THAT?

BACK TO AGRA FORT

DOESN'T THAT LOOK RED TO YOU? EVEN A LITTLE?

LOST BALL?

AND THIS MAKES IT THREE LOVE BIRDS?

A GREAT SPOT TO VIEW THE TAJ MAHAL

TWO OF THE GIRLS WHO WORK ON THE SHIP...

AND ANOTHER. THIS ONE GAVE ME THE SANTA HAT THAT I WORE IN FRONT OF THE TAJ.

SHE WORKS IN THE EXCURSION DESK & WAS PROBABLY FIRST CHOICE BUT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN FIERCE COMPETITION AMONG THE STAFF TO COME ON THIS EXCURSION. THE IDEA IS THEY HELP KEEP AN EYE ON US WANDERING SHEEP BUT HERE THEY WERE TAKING A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO BE JUST TOURISTS.

BRAVO

LEAVING THE FORT NOW FOR THE RIDE BACK TO THE AIRPORT.

IT MUST BE A COMBINATION OF THE LIGHT & THE CAST OF THE WINDOWS BUT I REALLY LIKE THE 'LOOK' OF THESE FEW PHOTOS.

THE CAMEL AND THE COW WERE A BIT TOO FAST FOR ME..

AND THEN THE FLIGHT BACK TO MUMBAI.

THE TAJ MAHAL & AGRA FORT IN A DAY.

I WOULD NEVER HAVE MANAGED THAT ON MY OWN.

I NOW REGRET NOT DOING THE THREE DAY EXCURSION THAT LEFT THE SHIP & CAUGHT UP WITH IT IN MUMBAI.

MY DINNER COMPANIONS DID THAT & TOOK PART IN A POLO MATCH - ON ELEPHANTS - AMAZING.

SANDY I COULD RECKON SHE WOULD DO IT BUT LORAINE & BOB ARE NO SPRING CHICKENS.
BUT THEY DID - I SAW THE PICTURES. BOB WAS THE REFEREE.