Concluded our trip in Jaipur by bidding farewell to City Palace, we continued our journey to another state in India, Uttar Pradesh in which the capital is Agra. 200km distance means another 4 hours of journey. I remembered clearly that during this trip, I was the front seat passenger and dozed off. The driver put on sudden brake and I woke up, thought there was something on the road. Apparently, there was none. Subsequently, I was trying hard to stay awake for the rest of the journey or pretending to be awake by wearing my sunglasses and with a book in my hand (I was really reading it at first until a point that I stopped flipping pages as I couldn’t even finish a paragraph, or sentence even). The latter can be a good tip to avoid unnecessary nuisance during a road trip.
Before reaching the city of Agra, we dropped by Fatehpuh Sikri, UNESCO listed site since 1986. “Fateh” which means victorious in Arabic with Persian origin, the site is basically a walled city. The whole site is made up of standstone hence the monuments are in red, pretty much similar to most historical sites that I visited throughout India (not the one after this, though). The driver won’t be able to bring you right to entrance of the site as there are buses provided (with a minimal fee) to enter the walled city. I would say I have a fair share of Indian bus experience as the bus was overloaded with passengers and some were standing at the door before the drivers decided to make his move. Thankfully the journey to the site wasn’t that long so it was bearable. The site is accessible with a fee of 500 Rupee (and 10 Rupee tax which can be levied if you keep entrance tickets for other sites. More on this later). 10 Rupee is like, 60 Malaysian cents?
It’s not something new for me that kids approached you while you are on a trip. The memory of Greek kids came to scratch our table back in Athens, 2012 is still vivid in my mind. I have more of that in this country, not the table scratching but the kids approaching. As much as you wish to sympathize them, it may not be a wise move. Exiting from the complex, we were being followed by a group of kids who didn’t ask for money but for the entrance tickets. One of the kids said they need it to make a calendar or something. I remembered clearly there was one kid was telling his friend (or not) that he has this one (us). Ignorance is bliss to save ourselves from unwanted trouble.
While waiting for bus to take us back to our driver, I heard a Japanese lady saying that she is fond of travelling in India.
We continued our journey to Agra which is around 40km away. Checking in at Treebo White Inn and had our dinner at Tea’se Me, an eatery that located at the rooftop of a hotel. No, there was no view of Taj Mahal from there despite its vicinity to the East Gate. I wasn’t sure whether our driver was lazy or it was not part of the package but, after dropping us off at the restaurant, he gave us money to use “tuk tuk” back to hotel. All the “tuk tuk” that we have hopped on didn’t seem to be reliable as almost of them didn’t know where we are heading. Never mind that, after a fine dinner, we were all excited for the agenda of following day. It was the prime reason for this trip anyway.
Our stay is strategically located at East Gate road hence for a budget hotel, it is recommendable (though not so much on the breakfast).
We headed as early as 6.00am towards the ticket office which is within walking distance. The entrance fee is 1000 Rupee and this is inclusive of buggy service bringing you to East Gate. You are not allowed to bring any bag to the site and hence they are to be stored at the lockers at the office. Camera bag is acceptable. You will be provided with a bottle of mineral water and shoes cover. Reaching the gate there would be security check, just like any other sites. Lines for males and females are segregated whereby the ladies would be checked within a tiny curtained room. Tripod isn’t allowed at the site as the officer asked me to remove the tripod from my GoPro stick and deposit at one of the souvenir shops. Hesitantly and reluctantly, I went on with it. Slowly, we took our step towards the wonder. We were greeted by the magnificent gate and slowly, we walked pass it. Slowly, the sight of it is becoming clear.
Since we were early, the crowd was pretty decent though you would still need to wait for photo taking at your favourite spot (same goes for everyone else, really). The place is surrounded by 4-sided wall with green landscape. As you approached the mausoleum, this is where you would need to put on the shoes cover, or you could go barefoot stepping on the white marble. Photos taking is only permissible up to entrance. Being this close to the monument, it gives me the perspectives of Taj Mahal from different angle. It was so whitely grand and to think of the effort to build the site for 17 years, can only imagine how much was the love of the king towards his wife (though the ending was rather sad for the king). I just can’t help to take photos of Taj Mahal whenever I have a glimpse of it. Was captivated and to remind myself that I was seeing the actual thing. I bet the percentage of its photos is highest than anything else in my gallery.
Taj Mahal, ticked. Remember to keep your ticket for tax levitation at other sites. Claimed my tripod and bought a little overpriced souvenir from the shop, we returned to our hotel for our breakfast before checking out.
Next site that we visited was the Agra Fort, the former residence of Mughal Dynasty. Like Amber Fort in Jaipur, most of the monuments were made of sandstone and hence, the bright brick red colour. It was believed that Shah Jahan, the king who built Taj Mahal, was confined by his son at the fort, in which he could see Taj Mahal from a distance from his lockout before his life ended there. The fee is 500 Rupee.
We visited the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah, which is also called "Baby Taj". This mini white marble maosoleum is accesible with 200 Rupee, with 10 Rupee levied by showing Taj Mahal ticket.
Before reaching the city of Agra, we dropped by Fatehpuh Sikri, UNESCO listed site since 1986. “Fateh” which means victorious in Arabic with Persian origin, the site is basically a walled city. The whole site is made up of standstone hence the monuments are in red, pretty much similar to most historical sites that I visited throughout India (not the one after this, though). The driver won’t be able to bring you right to entrance of the site as there are buses provided (with a minimal fee) to enter the walled city. I would say I have a fair share of Indian bus experience as the bus was overloaded with passengers and some were standing at the door before the drivers decided to make his move. Thankfully the journey to the site wasn’t that long so it was bearable. The site is accessible with a fee of 500 Rupee (and 10 Rupee tax which can be levied if you keep entrance tickets for other sites. More on this later). 10 Rupee is like, 60 Malaysian cents?
We headed as early as 6.00am towards the ticket office which is within walking distance. The entrance fee is 1000 Rupee and this is inclusive of buggy service bringing you to East Gate. You are not allowed to bring any bag to the site and hence they are to be stored at the lockers at the office. Camera bag is acceptable. You will be provided with a bottle of mineral water and shoes cover. Reaching the gate there would be security check, just like any other sites. Lines for males and females are segregated whereby the ladies would be checked within a tiny curtained room. Tripod isn’t allowed at the site as the officer asked me to remove the tripod from my GoPro stick and deposit at one of the souvenir shops. Hesitantly and reluctantly, I went on with it. Slowly, we took our step towards the wonder. We were greeted by the magnificent gate and slowly, we walked pass it. Slowly, the sight of it is becoming clear.
Slowly stepping in..
Since we were early, the crowd was pretty decent though you would still need to wait for photo taking at your favourite spot (same goes for everyone else, really). The place is surrounded by 4-sided wall with green landscape. As you approached the mausoleum, this is where you would need to put on the shoes cover, or you could go barefoot stepping on the white marble. Photos taking is only permissible up to entrance. Being this close to the monument, it gives me the perspectives of Taj Mahal from different angle. It was so whitely grand and to think of the effort to build the site for 17 years, can only imagine how much was the love of the king towards his wife (though the ending was rather sad for the king). I just can’t help to take photos of Taj Mahal whenever I have a glimpse of it. Was captivated and to remind myself that I was seeing the actual thing. I bet the percentage of its photos is highest than anything else in my gallery.
The cliche photo of Taj Mahal with its reflection
Close up
Me trying "Tree Pose", or so I thought
View from Taj Mahal towards East Gate
Taj Mahal, ticked. Remember to keep your ticket for tax levitation at other sites. Claimed my tripod and bought a little overpriced souvenir from the shop, we returned to our hotel for our breakfast before checking out.
Next site that we visited was the Agra Fort, the former residence of Mughal Dynasty. Like Amber Fort in Jaipur, most of the monuments were made of sandstone and hence, the bright brick red colour. It was believed that Shah Jahan, the king who built Taj Mahal, was confined by his son at the fort, in which he could see Taj Mahal from a distance from his lockout before his life ended there. The fee is 500 Rupee.
Can imagine the King had his last moment looking at his wife's tomb
Agra Fort and some ruins are noticeable on the right
We visited the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah, which is also called "Baby Taj". This mini white marble maosoleum is accesible with 200 Rupee, with 10 Rupee levied by showing Taj Mahal ticket.
A kid was seens swimming at Yamuna river.
We were towards the end of our journey as we headed back to New Delhi right after.
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