Today is The Day - The Taj Mahal - India

This is Why you Travel  ... Part II

    Fiona and were so excited when we woke up today in New Delhi India, knowing that today would be the day we would see the Taj Mahal!  In fact, she literally said to me, "Today is the day!"  and I knew exactly what she meant.

     It's one of those life long dreams, to see the Taj Mahal, the mysterious and remote building deep in the heart of India.  We were full of anticipation, and couldn't wait to lay eyes on ... what is really one of the world's most magnificent structures.  

    Only we had to wait.  We drove about 300 kilometers from Delhi to Agra, India, the home of the Taj Mahal  (and as it turns out several other amazing historical sites).  And one of the more surprising things was the green and lush Indian country side that we traveled through.

    We got there in the afternoon, and of course the driver and the guide insisted we have lunch before we go to the "the Taj" as they call it.  We were positively delighted by the absolutely wonderful meal of curry and other curious spices, that really hit the spot since we had been traveling since early in the morning. 

    Only this picture doesn't do it justice, it was a delcious and spicy Indian special local dish.

    The impact of seeing the Taj Mahal, up close and personal was ... to use a cliche - rather breathtaking.  In fact, it brought tears to your eyes (at least Fiona's eyes, and to be truthful I got a lump in my throat).
    We walked around and spent a lot of time there, we had a guide who explained the history of the site, and the weather was really perfect, around 83F with a mild breeze. 
    As the tour guide said (and I've used this phrase) "it's not really a view, it's a feeling."  And it was, we couldn't get enough of it. 

    Eventually we moved on to the next stop.  I hate to say it that way, but there is a lot more ancient history in India than I was aware of.  We went to the "Fort" or Palace of the same family and empire that built the Taj Mahal.   And it was incredibly interesting, with new amazing views around every corner.
    We've had a good trip so far, and this was one of those really special days that make a huge impression on you. 

    Fiona is a pretty special person too, and I can't imagine a trip doing this on our own ... without her skills in making travel arrangements and accommodations, all the other things that it takes to pull off an Around the World Trip ... I am a lucky guy.