We left Hyderabad for Delhi on route to Agra. A 10 hour journey which included a flight from Hyderabad to Delhi followed by a 6 hour drive to Agra; It’s a 200 km trek. We’ll never complain about Melbourne traffic ever again.
Daniel also experienced driving in a mini car at a small road stop. Joe like usual enjoyed his Mc Donald’s feast the Maharaja Mac burger. I tell you the burgers are better at hungry Jacks!
First time travelling with Nikki overseas. Overwhelming, fun, the best! We miss you Albert. Gabby still thinks that my brother Albert is crying because he is not with us. We all know Erin is still crying.
All we can say is wow! The beauty of this place can only be experienced by seeing it in person. The photos, the documentaries seen in the past do not do this place justice. Large parts of its beauty is inside the Taj where photos/videos are prohibited. For instance a stone that glows stronger that Gold when struck with light. You can only imagine it’s beauty when it is struck by the light of a full moon.
The Taj Mahal is not painted at all, its patterns, Islamic writings and designs are mosaic style, various stones brought from all over the world, carved and amazingly placed with precision (that’s why it remains so strong still in its colours)
The poverty still gets to us. The rich are so rich, and the poor are barely surviving.
We are left wondering what this government is doing, and therefore I see little change since I came here last ( 17 years ago)
Many middle class families don’t see their children as they are raised by nannys or grandparents so that they can earn enough if this highly populated country. I cannot imagine being without my children and therefore feel extremely blessed.
Listening to various house helper’s life stories (cooks, nanny’s, laundry helpers, cleaners etc) There are broken marriages, horrible abuse, lack of money, education, and the heartbreaks go on and on.
The things we’ve seen while driving.
Throughout our trip to keep ourselves entertained Esther started several counting competitions of what we see outside our car windows. This has so far included:
- Wild dogs roaming the streets
- Amount of men freely peeing by the street
- People on mobile phone while walking, on Autos, driving, on motorbikes. This country is obsessed with their mobile phones. Penetration of smart phones (iPhones, Android) is not as deep as Australia though
- How many Cows and Buffalos, monkeys, and other wild animals
- How many weddings we’ve driven past. (It’s currently peak wedding season).
- How many spot fires by the side of the road lit to keep people warm or just to burn rubbish
- How many graves by the side of the road
- People sleeping on the roadside
- How many people can fit on a truck or a car. ( we ourselves had 12 in a 7 seater, and so I put the window down and was calling out to others to come and join the ride- Esther)
Kids slept and had plenty to be entertained during our long drive. We all got to meet Ramesh (Esther’s cousin) and then Daniel, Joe and Esther experienced their first elephant ride. Sarah and Gabriella too scared to climb up on the elephant, Joe hesitated but finally came on board. It was so so cool. Need to do it again.
Daniel also experienced driving in a mini car at a small road stop. Joe like usual enjoyed his Mc Donald’s feast the Maharaja Mac burger. I tell you the burgers are better at hungry Jacks!
Finally with my sister Nikki
First time travelling with Nikki overseas. Overwhelming, fun, the best! We miss you Albert. Gabby still thinks that my brother Albert is crying because he is not with us. We all know Erin is still crying.
Taj Mahal
All we can say is wow! The beauty of this place can only be experienced by seeing it in person. The photos, the documentaries seen in the past do not do this place justice. Large parts of its beauty is inside the Taj where photos/videos are prohibited. For instance a stone that glows stronger that Gold when struck with light. You can only imagine it’s beauty when it is struck by the light of a full moon.
Challenging and prayerful moments
The poverty still gets to us. The rich are so rich, and the poor are barely surviving.
We are left wondering what this government is doing, and therefore I see little change since I came here last ( 17 years ago)
Many middle class families don’t see their children as they are raised by nannys or grandparents so that they can earn enough if this highly populated country. I cannot imagine being without my children and therefore feel extremely blessed.
Listening to various house helper’s life stories (cooks, nanny’s, laundry helpers, cleaners etc) There are broken marriages, horrible abuse, lack of money, education, and the heartbreaks go on and on.
What’s next?
Kerala, through the tea plantations in Munnar to the backwaters on a house boat.
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