Sunrise

We woke very early in an attempt to beat the crowds to the west gate to watch the sun rise over the Taj. Unfortunately our 'very early' was proved to be different from other peoples 'very early'. So, as we were arrived we were taken a back by the rows upon rows of people bustling around to get tickets, audioguides and a place in the queue. In our defence however, we would have been one of the few there if it hadn't been for the group of about 70 chinese tourists all wearing matching fluorescent orange hats. By the time we got to the front of the ticket queue the man had apparently got no change, although I could see he did, and refused to give me a ticket and subsequently refused to speak to me. With angry Milly well and truly out to play someone else payed for my ticket and Holly and I stormed to the gate queue. Of course in India there are separate men and women queues in which the women's was packed and going back for miles while the mens was fast moving and empty and we were stuck right in the middle of a group of school girls. With phones shoved in our faces left right and centre, I slapped them out the hands of the girls, leapt over the barrier into the empty mens queue. Holl and I stormed forward, our spirits thoroughly wetted, and niftily ducked back into the front of the women's queue. Once frisked we then had to barge through a large crowd of men all waiting for their other halfs that were stuck in the slow queue, which was explained by the extensive metal detectors on the mens side compared to the one on the womens. However once we were in we were overwhelmed by the magnificent beauty of the Taj Mahal. We went on to take many 'silly' photos and go on the tour, brushing of the comments and ridiculing of the many indians that passed us by. It was here that we realised why people had told us to get the hell out of Agra as soon as we could because we rushed out of the compound of the Taj to the safe distance of a roof top restaurant looking over it.

Agra

We had heard some awful things about agra, mainly to go in see the Taj and GET OUT. But with such thoughts in our mind we were expecting the worst, and in fact were pleasantly surprised. Apart from our hostel being the worst so far (by quite a way) we were quite happy to wonder around and get our bearings. Our bus had arrived at midday so we had a lot of time to settle before heading to watch the sunset over the Taj Mahal. With vague directions as to where to go, it was pure chance we stumbled across the boat house which was almost deserted and had the most phenomenal view of the Taj from the river, the sun setting behind it. Why the crowds don't flock to this area I have no idea (possibly because the small, rickety boat is 20 years old and while one man rows the other is constantly bailing water out). We certainly didn't mind as we took the most lovely photographs, especially Emi and Mi on their pro cameras. We sat in the river for half an hour watching the sun slowly go down.

Elephants!!

Two days in a row i went to see the eles. The first time, sunday, i just visited the elephant house with a boy from school that we met up with and his friends while the others went home and snooozed. The animals were so magnificent and beautiful but you cant help feel sorry for them as they stand there putting their trunks in the air for photos. Having said that they do seem to be well looked after and have nice big stalls. Today, Tilly and I wanted to actually ride them. So we all went to a different elephant house and went on a tour of the village by elephant. It was an amazing experience and apart from lunging at a boy with a cricket bat our ele was beautifully behaved, and to top it off they were treated so well unlike the ele in water for elephants!!

Jaipur

After a relaxing first day in jaipur, we decided to soak up some culture on the second. We visited City Palace, The Observatory and Amber Fort as well as stopping off to snap the gasping view of Lake Palace. Although the buildings were amongst the most beautiful i have ever seen, the people in Jaipur really let the whole trip down. Luckily we haven't been faced with any aggression, but subject to rude comments and jeering were all apart of yesterdays trip, however, travelling with two boys has absolutely been to our advantage!!

Best bus ride yet!!

Our bus ride from pushka to jaipur has to be the best yet. Although a lot of very tin seats squashed into a small space, we didnt have any people trying to share them with us and a breeze flew in through the open windows. And after a mere three and half hours we had arrived in jaipur!

Cheeky monkeys

This hotel was the first that we stayed at where the monkeys came and literally joined you for breakfast. This was proved one morning when one particularly brave one came up to where me, Emi and Jen were sitting enjoying the morning sun and an ice coffee. We were quite innocently laughing and saying hello to it when suddenly it bared its teeth and went straight for my bag. After rifling through it throwing most things to the side and biting into my suncream she decided to run off with my silk sheet liner. At this point Emi threw me a stick while i tried to ward of the thieving monkey by jumping up and down and making a raucous waking up most of the others staying in the hotel who subsequently came out to watch the show!! The monkey tried to make a break for it but fortunately dropped my sleep bag mid jump onto the roof. Needless to say i will make sure my bag is closed before letting a monkey sit with me for breakfast again!!

Puusshka!!

We arrived in pushka at the awkward hour of 3 in the morning after a rough sleeper bus and a manic rush to get off at the right place! We were greated by an unbelievably tired man who couldnt see through the sleep in his eyes. Unfortuneately we were told there was no room at the inn but after having slept under the stars on camel safari and having a bumby ride on the bus we were actually quite pleased with the balcony floor!! But with yet another uncomfortable night sleep we were very happy with the beds on our second night in pushka. All six of us shared a room that looked over the lake where Gandis ashes were spread and is the most spiritual place for hindus. Unfortunately this meant that photos werent allowed to be taken so i dint have a particularly good one to share.

The fort

With the weather cleared up and the sun shining bright it was the prefect day to tapir the fort. With walls circling the whole city of jodphur, the expansive views were breath taking. The 'blue city' looked absolutely incredible from the top of the ancient fort. An amazing experience!

Camel safari

After the boys camel safari in the desert got rained of two days before, were all worrying that our excitement for the trip would be pit to waste. Fortunately, we had beautiful clear, blue skies and the stars shone all night. Although our camels were hugely uncomfortable, and my camel, ruji, head-butted me for trying to give him a kiss, falling asleep with a roaring fire and shooting stars made up for it.

Green with envy

To top off a lovely day we went for a drink at henrik and jacks 5* hotel. Although we left with jealousy coursing through our veins, the large margarita definably took the edge off!!

Fortune

The prospect of being told all about our wealth, careers, love and prosperity was too much. And even spending an hour and a half in one dark little office didnt put any of us off having our palms read. Its nice to know none of us are going to die sudden premature deaths or be short of money. We will all marry between the ages of 24-28 and our careers will take at least three turns for the better. All in all i think everyone of us will agree that being a fortune teller is a great job if you can bullshit and play off reactions. However i did enjoy the part about being a strong independant woman and the large inheritance.....!!

Om-e-lette you in on a little secret

For lunch we made our way to the clock tower market where we stumbled across a delightful man selling eggs and omlettes. He sells 1,500 eggs a day an has been going since 1973, in te same place with the same stand. Very simple and not totally conventional, sitting on up turned buckets with an apple crate for a table suited us perfectly!