The Taj

Well, as you know mother and I took the most amazing trip last week! While father traveled to South India we went to Jaipur and then to Agra where the Taj Mahal is located. While I knew the Oberoi hotel was close to the Taj Mahal I had NO idea we would have such an amazing view ! Our room had a dead on centered view (see the early morning photo above) of the monument built to love and it could not have been any more stunning. Gazing out was such a treat and mother and I both spent quite a bit of time taking it all in. Since the Taj Mahal is closed on Friday mother and I were told it was best to get up VERY early (read before sunrise) on Saturday morning to beat the crowds. Mother was all about doing this, but of course I was not so dead set on it. However, I got to thinking that 60 years from now I did not want to remember sleeping in and missing out on a once in a lifetime opportunity...and a once in a lifetime opportunity it was indeed!

Mother and I got up at 4:45am on Saturday and then had the hotel take us by golf cart up to the Taj entrance. We arrived at 5:15am just as the sun was starting to come up. You cannot officially enter the Taj until 5:30am so we waited patiently with a few other early risers. After a short while the guards came over to me and said we could enter. We were SO lucky that we the very first people let in the gates. Before we entered we had decided to find a photographer to take photos (we did this in Jaipur when I rode the elephant and had tremendous success) and we found such a wonderful one. He took our photo (which I will have to scan) when we first entered and then on the Princess Diana bench. Notice there are NO people in the background! Mother and I could hardly believe we were all alone and got VIP worthy photos. Getting up at 4:45am 100% worth it for this alone.

After our mini, VIP style photo shoot it was off to take in the great monument. By the time we got up to the building the tourists were starting to pile in, no more photos without people would be had for other guests! We just somehow got extremely lucky

The building itself is just magnificent. No detail was left undone. When visiting the Taj Mahal you can understand why it took 22 years to complete.It really is amazing the entire building stands in tact today, and that it stands tall and as beautiful as ever. The Taj Mahal truly is a wonder of the world and I feel so blessed to have seen it at the perfect time of day!