We left about 5.30 in the morning - it was still dark and the strees were eerie and abandoned. The sun rose about 6.30 and it got hooot. We hopped on an early bus (supposedly luxury - only true in comparison to local buses that is) and travelled for 4 hours until we reached Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city. We were heading to Agra, but stopping for lunch and to visit the amazing Moghul-built fort in Fatehpur Sikri. Sweat dripped off our faces the whole journey, but I managed to snatch some sleep, and read the first part of Shantiram (fantastic book, read it read it - and incidently it's about to be made into a movie starring none other than Johnny Depp!).
To reach the fort area we all took horse and carridge, and then met our slick guide, Peter, who would show us round the fort. The fort was built in the 16th century, by the Moghul Emperor Akhbar, and was the capital of the Moghul empire for a brief 10 years. The whole thing was built with great care, and different palaces and temples built in different architectural styles for Akhbar's wives and concubines. His bed was huuuge, and was wide enough to sleep twelve (the real king-sized bed!!)
The day was very hot, and when took our shoes off to enter the mosque, we had to run across the couryard to avoid burning the souls of our feet. I wondered around with my umbrella to avoid getting sunburn!
After the fort we ate homemade thali in a small cafe and caught our last bus. Our destination was Agra - home of the famous Taj Mahal. (I have an amusing picture of me and Lisa crammed into the back of the local bus - will borrow it at some point so I can upload it). Our hotel for the night is a few paces from the East Gate of the Taj Mahal itself and although the Taj is hidden from view, we will wake up at sunrise tomorrow and walk to the lake for a free view of the Taj in the morning light.
Wow - stalker! Get some pictures :-)
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