After reading several reviews I thought it is time to recall our visit to the Taj which is from memory so may be sketchey on detail, but there is all the necessary historical facts on other very good reviews , so this is just an old lovers memories.
Jane (My very own Queen Mumtaz Mahal) and I were coming up to our Silver Wedding Aniversery in March 1995, so we wanted a very special destination for a Holiday to celebrate, we both had a hankering for India so a two week Holiday was booked to Goa with a mini tour included of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi. (The Golden Triangle).
We had 7 Nights in Goa then it was time for the mini-tour.
It was on the Flight to Jaipur that I lost my fear of flying. Goa to Bombay not too bad the Air hostesses served Curry Meat or Veg. Plane landed at Bombay every one got off except for our tour party of 22 souls who became known as "THE SURVIVORS OF MODILUF FLIGHT 420 GOA TO JAIPUR".
The plane filled up and took off for the next Leg, Bombay to Udipur, it started to bounce around , so although those lovely girls served THE CURRY MEAT or VEG, when they started on the Coffee they had to stop as the Coffee was bouncing out of the Cups. We landed at a rainy Udipur where again everyone else got off except the brave 22.
Again the plane filled up with worried faces. Off to Jaipur. This time the Lights Stayed Off, the Hostesses stayed Strapped in. NO CURRY this time. You will have seen old films with the Pilot Lurching about holding onto the steering Gear, well this felt ten times worse.
Well we made it, landed and I can see why the Pope Kisses the Ground, I certainly did. Then I came to the conclusion that if God wanted me to die in a plane crash then that was his chance,and to this day my fear has gone, I am the safest person to fly with.
We were met by our Guide for the next 3 days and his Tour Bus which was kept immaculate by his 14 year Old Nepalise Boy.
Booked into the Clarkes Hotel Jaipur, room very good. We were advised there was a 24 hour Restaurant on the ground Floor and a 5 STAR RESTAURANT on the Top. then found out there was a problem with the one downstairs and only the 5 STAR one was open, could this be a tourist trap. I Hear you say.
Up we went met at the Lift Door by immaculate Staff in Traditional Dress, escourted to a table with the Best Crystal and SOLID SILVER Knives, forks etc.
What the Hell we are only here once, CHATEAU BRIAND ordered and cooked superbly and the service was Truly 5 STAR. The bill I know it was back in 1995 but came to £3.50 Each. No TOURIST TRAP THIS.
Next day we had a Tour of Jaipur, I wont go into too much detail as it Warrents a review of its own.
It started with the Coach ride into the centre of Jaipur, the amazing site of such numbers of people, although poor Clean Shirts and fantastic Saris. And amongst this Children in Blazers in Put-Puts on their way to school.
First stop Bhri Lakshmi Nayaram Temple. Dazzling white marble the same as used for the Taj. There is a panel to represent every Religion carved into the temple walls. I.E. Christian, Muslem Greek Philosophers Etc.
Next a Visit to Amber Fort the asscent made on the back of well Cared for and Watered Elephants. This was 1995 but By the time you got to the Top, approx 5 Mins there was a Guy trying to sell you a picture of yourselves on the Elephant.
The fort has its Free Ranging Monkeys so be careful with any snack.
The Fort is decorated with Ground Down Precious Stones. Latticed windows so the women could view without being seen.
It has a sunken purfumed garden. A room of mirrors and mirror work.
A Parterre built on the lake.
So the Queen could assend to the top, there is a tunnel system that is large enought so a Rickshaw can make the climb to save the Ladies Legs.
The afternoon was a Tour of The City Palace , Public Audience Hall, Observatory where a 30 foot high sundial is accurate to the second. And then the Palace of the Winds. Jailpur is known as the Pink City as this was the colour it was painted in 1976 for the Visit of the Prince of Wales.
Anyway back to the subject of the Review the TAJ.
Next day the coach Left Jaipur for Agra, what I remember most of this Journey was the Green Countryside, so Green it seemed English but for the Parrotts Flying about and of Course Countless Peacocks.
We stopped off for a Visit to Fatephur Sikri the deserted City which was left when the water dried up. But still as it was when lived in.
ONWARDS TO AGRA.
It was at this point thinking back it would have been best not to visit the Taj Mahal for your first view.
Bear in mind we had been on a long road Journey had already had a tour of the above deserted City, it was Hot we were Hungray and the TAJ was packed.
Even then the Taj Looked very beautiful but it did not seem Romantic. We had the photos taken which would arrive at our hotel that evening. We had a quick look inside the Taj, but it all seemed a bit rushed and crowded.
We went and checked into the Hotel Noveltel Agra a shower and a meal and recovered.
THE TAJ IN ITS TRUE GLORY.
Next morning while still dark the 22 Boarded the Tourist Bus for a sunrise visit. Entrance Ticket Prices go up for Sunrise or Sunset Visits to £1, a fortune for local people.
This was truly the time to see The Worlds Greatest Monument to Love.
A monument whose spirit no photograph can quite capture.
We arrived in the dark and entered the grounds. At first we could not see the Taj, then as the dark changes from black to Grey I quote from the comments in our photoalbum.
"Thursday 9th march 1995 Jane's Sunrise Taj Mahal.
Lost for words.
Staring in wonderment.
The Tear Drop this Taj Mahal glistens spotlessley bright on the cheek of time forever and ever.
It seemed to float on the morning mist and light, each second a slight change in colour. No crowds at this time of day, no tiredness of a long Journey, but still a GREAT HUNGER not to miss a morsal, to blink would have robbed us of a precious milisecond of the sight of such beauty. The tears are still running as I type this review 12 years after the event.
Such is the Beauty of the Taj.
Blow the Business Meetings, CHARLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THAT BENCH WITH DIANNA.
For all the facts on Numbers of labourers etc please search them out.
How can you top the romance and surprise of the Taj you can not, but I tried on our return.
When we had married 25 years previous I was a non believer, so we married in a Register Office. Over the years we change, I had become a believer and had been baptised at the age of 42.
Jane had no idea that before and then while we were away with the help of our children A church wedding was being arranged,.
So a week after we returned on a Saturday Evening in our Local Church with all our Friends and Family about us Janes Father got to lead her down the Isle.
She had no idea but got suspicious when we had all deseted the House leaving her with just her father. The dress had been sorted for her to put on. Her father explained just before the White Car drew up to take her them to the church.
I dont know if I will be able to top that for our Ruby in 2010, perhaps another visit to the Taj will be in order.
More details
Sightseeing
Excellent
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
very helpful
very helpful
very helpful
helpful
helpful
