India 2013 - Agra day... Taj Mahal!

After the excitement of arriving in India for our first day we had a very early start on day 2 - alarms going off in order to meet driver Ajay at 5:45am... eek! No one minded though, as we were off to see the Taj Mahal!

Ajay brought with him a colleague, Rajesh, who spoke fluent English and was to be our guide for the day. He helped us buy our tickets and waited for us while we queued in the non-Indian womens queue for entry to the Taj (tourists are also charged more to get in, although at only around eight pounds we had no complaints!) We'd decided to get to the Taj so early as I'd heard it was best to go first thing to avoid the bigger crowds, and the hottest weather. I was pleased we did! Obviously it was still very busy (this is a wonder of the world after all!) but we were able to stroll around without too many crowds, and take time with photos. The early morning mist added to the occasion too - that first glimpse of the Taj, through the mist, was very atmospheric and a great climax to the story Rajesh had told us about Shah Jahan, the man who built the Taj Mahal as a tribute to his wife, Mumtaz.

I don't need to tell you that the Taj Mahal was an awesome sight, and that seeing it was the highlight of my visit. That goes without saying! I don't need to show you my photos either, because my amateur attempts can easily be bettered with a quick google search! I am going to though, so here goes...

Team shot!

View of one of the mosques from inside the Taj

As this was our only full day in Agra we were determined to make the most of it, and after a quick pit stop we were back in the car and on our way to see a traditional workshop where the beautiful marble mosaics like the ones that adorn the Taj are still make. We watched as the workmen painstakingly crafted items, and were able to see (and buy!) the finished products in the gift shop.

From there, we headed to Agra Fort, Shah Jahan's palace and the place he was imprisoned for the final years of his life, overthrown by his son who stole his crown. He lived out his days under house arrest in his bedroom, sitting on his balcony and staring across the river for views of his beloved Taj Mahal. The Fort is less well preserved than the Taj, but still well worth a visit, and we enjoyed having Rajesh with us (as we had at the Taj) as he was able to share interesting facts and stories with us to enhance the trip, and having a guide with us also meant we weren't hassled by people wanting to sell us things, or guide us themselves. I'd certainly recommend investing in a guide to anyone heading to Agra.

Final stop of the day was the site over the river from the Taj Mahal where Shah Jahan had planned - and started - to build a second Taj, identical to the first but in black marble, not white. He'd never completed it as his son overthrew him and kept him under house arrest at the fort before he had chance, but the site is a great place to go to view the Taj at sunset, and take some photos. We could see how busy the Taj still was, people swarming around in huge groups, and this made us even more pleased we'd got up early to beat the rush! It was a lovely end to our day in Agra, and we headed back to the hotel happy and enjoyed a delicious final meal before bed, and another early start to get back to Delhi, and a flight on to the next stage of our adventure, in Goa...

Had to do it. Selfie at the site of the Black Taj!

India 2013 - day 1!

I went to India 5 months ago, and so far have only written one post about it. Bad blogger. So, in an attempt to put that right, here's my account of our first day...

We flew into Delhi in 2 groups - Polly and Jenny first, then Gemma, Hannah and I around 6 hours later. My colleagues at Idex had arranged a driver for our time in the North, and he'd picked up Pol and Jen to take them to a guesthouse to relax and wait for us to fly in. We landed and were met in arrivals by the girls and smiley driver Ajay, and it was straight on the road to our first destination - Agra!

The journey to Agra took around 5 hours by car. It's also possible to take the train, which is a cheaper option and I'm told a lot of fun. We decided to go for the car however, as we were on a short timescale and wanted the convenience. We were also lucky to have the support of Ajay thanks to Idex, so it was the perfect option for our trip.

Arriving into Agra itself we got caught up in some hectic traffic - many, many cars, trucks and bikes all vying for a gap in the roads, and herds of cows being given right of way over any vehicles, while monkeys darted around eating bananas and jumping from rooftops. It was a crazy welcome to Agra, but when we arrived at our hotel, the Radisson blu (thank you for the travel agent rate rooms!) it was a calming contrast - beautiful and relaxing. We jumped straight in the pool and enjoyed some cocktails, which was to become a theme of our time there!

As a self confessed "cheapskate backpacker" the luxury of Radisson blu was a bit of a shock to my system! However, it was absolutely lovely and well worth the (not at all unreasonable) price we paid for our stay. Our rooms were fantastic - spacious, clean and with a well stocked bathroom and mini bar! The beds were ridiculously comfy and the free WiFi was very handy for keeping people back home updated (translation: jealous!) about our trip. We ate in the hotel both nights and the food was delicious - a poolside  bbq on night 1, and an Indian tasting feast on night 2 (my favourite meal of the stay). We also enjoyed the varied and tasty buffet breakfast, and several drinks in the hotel bar as well as by the pool. Finally, Polly, Jenny and I treated ourselves to a massage in the hotel spa (lush!) and we all made full use of the pool and sun loungers.

Our first day in India finished with us wearily calling it a night around 11:30, after chatting with a group from the British Legion who had brought their fathers and grandfathers to visit the battlefields in Northern India where they'd served in their youth. They were finishing their trip the way we were starting ours - a couple of nights chilling out at Radisson blu and a visit to the Taj Mahal. We headed to bed tired but excited for what the next day would bring...

 This is the life! The pool area, and Gemma and my room

I am lucky, many are not. My thoughts on International Women's Day

It's International Women's Day today, and I've seen various reactions to that on social media, one of them being "why is this still relevant?" As a woman (and feminist - say it loud and proud!) who lives in the UK, I appreciate that many of our battles have been won, and that I am very lucky. However, this is International Women's Day, and many women all over the world (some closer to home than you would expect) are not so lucky, and it's their rights that we still need to join together and fight for.

I'm not going to talk in statistics, but for example...

The right to choose if I continue with an unplanned pregnancy (or not)
If I fall pregnant unexpectedly, I can choose to have an abortion. I can make that choice with the support of counsellors and medical professionals and have the procedure in a safe, clean environment. There are many women around the world (and as close to home as Ireland) who do not have that option. Women seeking illegal and dangerous abortions, or flying far from home to have the procedure secretly, alone. Women having unwanted babies, and babies being born to women who resent and neglect them. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to vote (or not)
We all know of the Suffragettes and their fight to give women the vote. Those brave and trail blazing women are the reason I can walk into a room and put a cross in a box, why I can have my voice heard when my country elects it's government. Many women in countries around the world still don't have that right. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to drive (or not)
I have a driving licence, and I own a car. I can get in that car by myself, and drive without fear of being arrested. In Saudi Arabia (and maybe other countries, I don't know) it's illegal to do this. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to NOT have my genitals mutilated
My genitals are intact, I am not scarred. I can urinate and menstruate without pain, I can have (and enjoy) pain-free sex when I am ready to. There is no (or not) on this point, just a great big NOT. Female Genital Mutilation is happening, it is happening to British girls, and girls around the world. We should not turn a blind eye, or pretend it isn't happening because it is, and it's abuse. I won't rant any further, but please read up on this one, and join the fight. Daughters of Eve is a good place to start. I am lucky, many are not.

The right to choose who I marry (or not)
If I want to get married, I can. I can marry a man or woman, someone of any religion or race. If I don't want to get married, I don;t have to. I can stay single forever, or live happily with my partner in unmarried bliss, and no one will judge me or ostracise me. If I get married and change my mind, I can get a divorce and move on. There are many, many people all over the world who do not have these rights (and I acknowledge that not all of these people are women, but the point remains valid). Child brides, women forced to marry their rapist to preserve their "honour," forced marriage, gay couples unable to celebrate (or in some countries even publicly show) their relationships - the list is long, and sad. I am lucky, many are not.


I'm sure there are more points, and if I sat and researched I'm positive there would be many more things I could include in this post, but this is just my stream of thoughts put onto a page. The joy of blogging!

So, there you have it. Why I will be celebrating International Women's Day today, and supporting women's rights as an out and proud feminist throughout the year. Go, girls!

Three amazing women - my mom Chris (in blue) and her friends, my "aunties" Kate (in white) and Mary (pink) xxx