The Taj Mahal

Day 10:

Agra

The Taj Mahal in Agra was the highlight of my tour to India. Dad wanted to take mum, so I got to do it, as unfortunately time ran out for dad. Mum was very emotional. The Taj was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz, as a place to enshrine her remains.
Constructed in white marble, it took around 22 years and over 20,000 workers and craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy, to complete it. I was up at 4.45am to see this fabulous building soon after the sun rose in the sky, reflecting changing colours on the marble.
I returned to the hotel for breakfast before heading off to the red sandstone Agra Fort. Situated three kilometres upstream of the Taj Mahal on the right bank of the Yamuna, it took eight years to complete.
The pavilion balconies give clear views of the Taj Mahal and River Yamuna.

This afternoon I went for a swim in the infinity pool on the top floor of the hotel, with spectacular views of the Taj.

Finally, in the evening I celebrated the completion of our amazing journey at a farewell dinner with my fellow travellers.