Carol and Paul arrived safely last night, and this morning the four of us began our four-hour road journey to Agra. It took six hours. There were plenty of sights to see along the way, however, (like cows, camels, monkeys, wrong-way drivers, etc.) so I don't think the anyone got bored with the drive until about the 5th hour. I spent most of the time on my phone checking out various websites (or mini-sites) for election news. Both Erika and Austin texted us the news when Obama went over the top.
After we checked into our hotel, we took a short ride to see the Agra Fort. I would give you a quick rundown on the history of the fort but, frankly, I wasn't paying too much attention. What I did learn is that the fort covers over 150 acres, it was constructed over 200 years starting in the 1500's, and that even though it looks quite formidable, it changed hands several times. The British ousted the last Moughal ruler without firing a shot in 1880. Actually, the British felt that taking a fort without firing a shot just wasn't cricket, so after the Moughal surrendered, they decided to fire a ceremonial shot to make it look good. They weren't trying to hit anything, but they still managed to put a ceremonial cannonball through an ornate marble wall. Modern day guides take great delight in showing off the results of their poor aim.
After the visit to Agra Fort, we stopped by the Oberoi Hotel for a drink. This is a hotel that is so fancy that they have managed to get the police to block off the public road in front of the hotel in order to keep the riff-raff (i.e. non-guests) from getting too close. We sat on the hotel balcony, which has a great view to the Taj Mahal, drank our gin and tonics and watched the sun set into the smog.
Tomorrow, if are off to see the Taj Mahal at dawn, make another stop at some other place (I really should read the itinerary), and then drive back to Delhi to meet up with the rest of our group.
Note to Erika: I need help identifying the monkey. It looks different from the Langor Macaques we saw last time.
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3 comments:
Mike, it's a tan monkey and it's name is KOKO.
Both your photos and text are superb....almost like being there with you. From the photo of the 4 of you looks like you survived the first adventure. Gin and tonics at the end of a 6 hour road trip must have hit the spot.
Carol, good work on the "pre shopping". All that haggling with the taxi/tuk tuks will serve you well.
Have fun and beware of spitting camels.
I think it is a rhesus macaque. They can be really agressive, especially the males - beware of the teeth. I have a few scars from a few of the babies still on my hands! If you see any baby Rhesus Monkeys definitely take pictures for me.
Erika
Excellent pictures,as expected!
Its also nice to have a monkey expert in the family.
Murphy is prospering. He had bonded nicely with us. You forgot to mention that he has a bit of a gas problem.
Be sure to make Carol use that camera.
Austin
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