Day 292 : Agra fort

Not up too early today, had breakfast then took an auto to Agra fort (built in by the same guy who built the stuff in Fatehpur Sikri). Had an audio guide and wandered around the red fort and marble palace.

Walked along the road to the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) and wandered around the bazaars – lots of shoe, marble and material shops - nothing for us really.

Agra is weird. The bazaars around the fort and the Taj are mainly normal and and not touristy - you don’t really see many tourists around. I’m not sure if it’s just low season or if most people arrive in coaches and don’t walk around.

Took an auto back home. Almost hit a young cow that ran into the road but just managed to avoid it (it had a lovely pink beaded necklace on – the cows here are very fashionable).

Had a nice lunch. In the past few weeks our food bill has gone up. We used to be able to get a full meal and drinks for 2 in a restaurant for just under £1 now we are spending at least £3. A masala dosa (potato curry in a pancake thing with dips, chutneys etc and a soup) in the south is about 30p now it’s £1.

Went to the roof top cafe to have a last evening drink with the view of the Taj. Watched some kite fighting over the rooftops saw a few kites get cut loose – one loose kite flew right over our heads!

Walked home via a roundabout we have been past at least 5 times – the same bull stands in the middle of it everyday – we took a video. Saw another coal-fired iron on the street.