The Money Shot AKA the Taj Mahal

Okay, so seeing the sunrise over the Taj Mahal didn't quite work out. At 6:00 this morning, I was up, showered, dressed and ready to go. Neither Jason nor I, bothered to look out the window, so much to our surprise when we exited the lobby of the hotel -- there was rain. Monsoon rain. Flooded streets, water higher than the staff's wellies. It was a mess. Brave enough, only here for one day and determined to see this Wonder of World, we braved the water and headed out.

It was so worth it. So the sun isn't beaming on the marble in many colours -- its still the Taj and its always stunning.

I like a little monsoon in the morning. Shiny (aka wet) is good look on me! Bonus? Its not hot today!!

More wetness. I am standing in front of the mosque on the side of the Taj. Jason or I could tell you so many interesting things about the Taj, but none are as interesting as a couple on their honeymoon visiting the greatest site of love on earth.

More on that inlaid marble. Its a skill. Absolutely stunning in every way.

Side shot. Still beautiful.

A Digression.

Though not intended to be our official "honeymoon", Jason and I are into free stuff., and accordingly, insisted on telling all the hotels it was indeed our honeymoon. Well, in Agra, it paid off. We returned from the lobby bar to find a nice gentleman standing outside our door with a cake. We ignored him, having no idea that the cake was for us!!! So -- our first hotel honeymoon present!! How cool is that???

A brief stop before Agra!

This is Fatehpur Sikri. A confession -- we had no idea what this was until our driver told he would stop there so we could walk around. We quickly scanned the book and set off. A motorized rickshaw took us to the top. I was charmed. The driver had his young son with him who was very cute. :)

So back to the complex. From Jason: Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571. It was built in honor of the famous Sufi saint Salim Chishti. It was also the Mughal capital for fourteen years.

From Meghan: Its a nice complex. Smells a little really. But certainly a great and well preserved example of Mughal power and opulence.
Jason is standing at the entrance to a back area of the complex.

A close up. He's just cute!

Wow. It was so muggy that day. Unbearably so. I should take a moment to mention that although we are here in the off season, we have been surprised by the nice weather. Granted its been ridiculously hot, but overall its been sunny, with few clouds. Until Agra. Well, until the moment of this picture. The skies were darkening and the humidity was over 100%. Okay, not possible, but you get the point!

This is the Diwan-i-Khas. The historians think this was perhaps a debating chamber. I overheard an "official guide" telling some tourists that the ruler always sat in the middle of this structure and his cabinet sat along the beams. Shortly there after Jason heard an official guide telling his tourists that the haram gathered in the six windows around the building and stare into the courtyard, while the rulers sat in the middle and monitor it all. Who knows. The building was amazing nonetheless.

Our last stop before the pool.

City Palace, Jaipur. From Jason: Occupying the heart of Jai Singh II's city, the City Palace has been home to the rulers of Jaipur since the first half of the 18th century. Part of the Palace is open to the public, but the Chandra Mahal remains the residence of the erstwhile maharaja, and therefore is closed to the public.

This is the entrance to the inner sanctum of the Palace. Known as the Mubarak Mahal, it is the sandstone "welcome palace" and was built to receive guests.

This is the Diwan-i-Khas. I am staring at one of two of the largest silve objects in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). The silver urns were used to ccarry the sacred water of the Ganges for Madho Singh II's vist to London in 1901. Total side note -- I've said it before and I'll say it again. That sandstone is beautiful -- but HOT! Am I not dying in this picture?

So much so, I have to have a break. So I sat off to the side where there was a small breeze and Jason (who clearly wasn't as hot as I) could continue to explore and photograph!

The Chandra Mahal. Well, from the outside at least. Still the current residence of the maharaja, we were only allowed to view it from this angle. But my, what a grand sight it was.

From Jason.

We are still at the Amber Fort. Jason says this is called Ganesh Pol. Its a gateway that leads to the private state apartments built in 1640. Its connected by the screened uppermost level for ladies in purdah.

We like this picture because of the lovely architecture. The Amber Fort has the more remarkable nooks and crannies. Each one is unique and provides you with a different view of the Fort or the surrounding area.

Jason selected this picture because we took it of me in the hall of mirrors (and he thought it was cute). It seemed fitting to take my picture here (as opposed to Jason's) as it was the most feminine and lovely room at the Fort.

And a post script.

Here we are inside in the Amber Fort, having just climbed off the elephant. There is one special thing about this picture -- see that green thing in my right hand? Oh yeah, that's hand sanitizer. The spray kind. Apparently, you kind folks from the wedding neglected to tell me that elephants spit. I am guessing to cool themselves off (or that's what Jason told me), but who cares why -- THEY SPIT! Everywhere. So the germphobe in me was forced to sanitize. This is slowly becoming a theme on this holiday! :)

So, I don't like elephants. In fact, I am completely creeped out by their skin. If you have a fear of paper bags, pret napkins or cardboard paper -- you understand how I feel! Jason has been dying to ride one and thus it went on the honeymoon list -- twice. I couldn't say enough about not wanting to ride the damn things at the wedding... So, on to the money shots. Round One -- Jaipur.

Here is the path the elephants take you up. We are waiting to "board" an elephant. I am sweating and nervous. For the first time in days my sweat has nothing to do with the heat!

This is the couple in front of us. Look how everyone else is enjoying themselves!!

Jason made me smile. He wanted me to fake fun. So I did. Look at him laughing. We are on the elephant now and I am so creeped out.

Here's how I really felt. Thanks so much for the wedding present guys! I just loved it! :))))))

And finally we are done. So long elephants!!

Okay, the Amber Fort.

The Amber Fort in Jaipur. Home of the long awaited elephant ride. But before you see those pictures, you have to hear about the Fort. Just note now, the long path in the front of the Fort leading up the hill -- that's where the elephants (and Jason and I) are about to go.

From Jason: The Citadel was established in 1592 by Man Singh I -- with numerous other buildings added by Jai Singh I throughout the 17th century. It was the Kachhawaha Citadel until 1727, when they moved their capital to Jaipur.

From Meghan: I went to the "Pink City" because it is supposedly home to spectacular markets and bazaars. In fact there are and it was lovely. But more to the point -- my hotel was stunning. With a pool. So we christened the bathing suits for the first time, had a massage and generally felt like royalty for two days.

I have so much to catch you up on!

First, we loved Jaipur! I am surprised to say that -- but truly, it was such a wonderful place. But before we get there, I have to show you the Red Fort. Its only fair because I promised.

The Red Fort. One of Delhi's premier attractions. You cannot drive to it, so we drove as far as we could and then took a bicycle rickshaw the rest of the way. (The bicycle rickshaw's and their drivers are hands down one of the nicest thing in Delhi!) Okay, so you enter the Red Fort, but the eally good stuff is tucked away on the other side of a couple of gardens. The red sandstone is stunning (but hot!), this picture is so pretty, but actually is just a small part of the Fort after the entrance.
From Jason: It was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1639. The Fort took nine years to build and was the seat of Mughal power until 1857, when the last Emperor was dethroned and exiled.

One of the gardens.

And now to the marble. (Which is, by the way, infinitely cooler to wander around on.) Its carved as here in this picture and inlaid with jewels and gold. The craftsmanship is so amazing. and the result is incredibly rich in feel and look.

Jason took this photo as we were leaving. He likes how the picture looks, and also we love the dodgy scaffolding!