Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hi everyone,
Time for another update! Well, the last journey from Agra turned into a bit of a catastrophe as well! We expected to arrive in Agra from Udaipur at 7 in the morning, but actually arrived at 1.30 in the afternoon, six and a half hours late! We are having to adjust to travelling India-style! Arriving in Agra, we thought we'd detest the city, but it didn't actually turn out to be too bad! Our hotel, though basic, was right next to the Taj Mahal, a thirty second stroll away. We even had a 'rooftop restaurant', with a direct view of the Taj, but unfortunately the hotel hadn't really made the most of this, with a few tables and chairs scattered about a dirty rooftop. Still, we couldn't complain about the view! The Taj is as brilliant as it looks, living up to all expectations, completely white. We made sure we took loads of photos, though quite a few Indian tourists seemed more interested in taking photos of us, especially Jo! We had a great Indian meal in the evening, Jo having something like a curried cauliflower cake, looking as weird as it sounds, but tasting really good, whilst I had a Paneer Pasanda Masala.
On our second and final day in Agra, we got up early to try and catch the sun rise over the Taj Mahal. This proved rather fruitless though! We tried to catch a boat over the river to the viewing spot, but were told this only ran in the summer. By that time, we hadn't left long enough to get a rickshaw all the way round to the other side, so we just went back to bed! We finally got up and got going at around 10. On the way back from breakfast, we had just walked by a group of men when someone shouted, as if he had Tourettes, 'gorgeous'. I immediately said 'thank you', despite it being directed at Jo, but he didn't seem to get the joke! Instead he started congratulating me on being with her! We spent some time looking around Agra Fort at various vast courtyards, halls, palaces and mosques. Again, we had someone asking for a picture with us. He was a very flashy dude, even readjusting his blinging watch so he could get it in the picture! I was embarassed afterwards to realise he had real Ray Bans on, compared to my Ray Bons! After that, we decided to walk the short distance to a small restuarant. To get there, we had to walk through a bazaar area, which was completely hectic! The tightly-packed streets were rammed with cows, dogs, people, rickshaws and other vehicles all trying to weave their way around. What we didn't bargain for was a stretch of road covered in what we hope was mud! It was awful, and we got it all over our flip-flops and feet. When we got to the restaurant, I was convinced for about 15 minutes that Jo was going to burst into tears! The meal however, was really good. In India, you often have the option of a thali, a tray with a selection of curries on, a sweet and rice, bread and pickle. They will refill your tray as much as you like. What was great about this place, apart from the delicious food, was that it only cost 75 rupees, including water, for both of us, about 50p each! Bargain!
We are now in Orchha, after travelling from Agra yesterday. This was our shortest journey yet, but we were still faced with some form of disruption! Our train from Agra to Jhansi was very civilised, with free tea and water, and very fast. We even arrived 15 minutes early! We then had to get a rickshaw for 20 km to Orchha. About 5 km away we suddenly hit major traffic queues. Of the 365 days in a year, yesterday had to be the one there was a festival in Orchha! We sat stock still for abut half an hour, whilst pilgrims, many barefoot and having walked miles, streamed by on each side in their droves. After finally arriving, we have both decided we really like it here. Orchha is the smallest place we have been to so far, a small town with one main street, with derelict and decaying palaces, temples and tombs dotted around in between squat houses and marketplaces. It's by a really blue river, and it's really green and peaceful. Our hotel has got a great view over a pond towards a couple of the palaces. We went for lunch at a typical travellers' cafe, and ordered a few different bits as we felt quite hungry. Our veg pakoras, chips and spring rolls were good, but then the enchilada came...We should have known what Mexican food would be like in India! It didn't look anyting like enchiladas, with some weird curried beans inside. And it was absolutely huge! Jo came up with a crafty plan to get rid of it. When noone was looking I wrapped it up in some newspaper, and carried it out with me after we had paid. I then gave it to a donkey!
Today we have had another relaxing day. Getting up late, after breakfast we took a wander around some of the temples and palaces, sat by the river for a while reading our books, played some backgammon and had a relaxing lunch. Tomorrow we are moving on to Khajuraho, another place where we are hoping to continue the relaxing before we head back north to Varanasi. We'll let you know how we get on!
love Ollie and Jo
- comments