The road to the Taj Mahal

Leaving the Pink City behind we head speedily towards India's most famous and most visited attraction - The Taj Mahal. On the way we meet our guide for today and tomorrow and stop in to see Fatehpur Sikri commonly known as the Ghost Capital. Between 1571 until 1585 it was the capital of Mughal Empire. Emperor Akbar moved there because he was told it would bring him good fortunes and hopefully a son. A son was born during his time at Fatehpur Sikri but the Ghost Capital was abandoned in 1585 as it was missing a human necessity - water.

In the quest to find the perfect Indian dish we stop at Joshi Resort Restaurant. It's not really a Resort but it is a lovely garden restaurant, peacefully, tranquil and does a great vegetable jalfrezi. Can highly recommend this place if your ever driving to Agra - it's in the middle of nowhere, but chatting to the manager, they going to build some tourist bungalows.

Agra is famous for the Taj Mahal and the artwork on the Taj Mahal is inlay. We go and see how the gem stones are shaped and inlaid into white marble from Jaipur. The shop we are at only uses designs from the Taj Mahal and is made by family members of the workers who created the artwork for the Taj Mahal. Keith and I, love this artwork and are determined to get a beautiful side table for the front room. Oh boy its a beauty, made by a Master in the artwork and covered in intricate flowers including a rare pink stone. [KB - and bloody expensive, even without the tourist rate!! Ah well, it's nearly Valentine's Day and her birthday, so Mr Credit Card was called into action!]

Hotel in Agra is called The Retreat, we are warned not to leave the hotel as the area isn't that nice. Restaurant is not really recommended here, food was cold and beer very expensive. We were also treated to an Indian powercut only lasted few minutes but was strange been sat in a dark restaurant sipping beer and listening to car horns.

Stacey and Keith