Moving on from Delhi

Me getting on a train

An itchy goat at the gates of Fatehpur Sikri - a ghost town which town which took 13 years to build in the 15th century to only be occupied for 4 years because of problems with the water supply.

A normal mode of transport on a busy India road

Anji holding up the Taj

The Taj Mahal first thing in the morning

Me at the Taj

Islamic inscriptions around the entrance

The coloured stones are sunk into the marble

Getting a shave by a barber in an Old Delhi Street

The snake charmer - who was quite insistent that he was going to show us his skills then get paid!!

The Jantar Mantra - a strange collection of buildings used with the shadow of the sun to tell time, make astrological and lunar charts (don't ask me anything more complicated as I didn't understand!!)

Meeting local people

The tractor to work

Anji arrived on Saturday and we spent another day in Delhi so she could do the whistle stop tour. We managed to get to Old Delhi and back using the Metro which is amazingly clean and at a cost of about 15p per ticket (and the bonus of no haggling) is great. Only problem is the limited area it covers at the moment as they are still building it so it is not always an option.

We have now managed two India Rail train journeys, the first went very smoothly (other than my need to keep visiting the toilet with a mild touch of Delhi belly!!). The second which was this morning was rather more interesting. On getting on our very early train everyone was still asleep (the seat benches turn into bunk beds at night) and the train was in darkness so we couldn't see the seat numbers, then when we did find our seats there were people sleeping in the bottom bunk where we should sit. I ended up climbing up onto the top with my big rucksack. Of course we were not quiet, laughing and falling about, surprisingly enough no one told us to shut up (much more tolerant than the British). I went for a nap (curled up next to my rucksack) and when I woke Anji had made friends with the nice family that we had so rudely disturbed.

We spent a day and a half in Agra with a whistle stop tour of the main tourist sites. The Taj Mahal as expected was amazing, unfortunately it was quite misty so we never saw either the sunset or sunrise but we did get there very early to beat the crowds and it was worth it. I think we were both surprised at how much colour and inscriptions are actually on the walls of the TM, the detail is amazing (have put just a couple of the hundreds of photos I took of it on for you!!).

I've had a touch of Delhi Belly for about 4 days, all things considered it isn't too bad as I haven't been feeling unwell and I have still been out. I'm just avoiding food during the day and drinking lots of water when we are out and about and in the evenings having a sensible meal as I then have quick access to a usable toilet!! Think I have just about flushed it out of my system now, though Anji is now suffering a little.We have just arrived at our second Homestay, these are local government approved Guest Houses. They are excellent, the families are very friendly and helpful the houses are spotless and have good facilities, better than any B&B you would stay in at home.

There is a constant noise in India , with the trains, rickshaws, animals, singing, chanting and praying but I quite like it - very atmospheric. I'm sure there are loads of smells as well but as my nose doesn't work then I avoid those (good and bad!!). On the streets you see everything, barbers, shavers, ear cleaners (three times I have been offered this service but declined!!), henna painting, snake charmers, monkeys, chipmunks, parrots, camels, donkeys and so far one elephant! Nothing would surprise me but hopefully some of the photos capture this so you can get a little taste.

Glad your all enjoying the blog and photos, I love getting the comments it's good to know that your all following my trip (or checking in to make sure I'm ok) - if I'm missing anything out you would like to know about then just ask and I'll fill you in. I can also send things home easy enough (thinking of ditching half my rucksack - though it is a a lot lighter now I've used half my Diarolyte!!) so if you want anything sent home let me know - I only charge 10% commission :-)

Till the next time.....

Jack xxx

doo

ook ok