"The main attraction" Agra by Tracyden

The trip to Agra from Delhi was a long one along the Indian State Highway. The traffic was busy, everytime we stopped I noticed peering and staring through our windows the travellers in other vehicles - these were nearly all young men. If I waved and smiled they continued to stare but gave some lovely return smiles. The journey was four hours or maybe more. The closer you come to Agra the more Taj Mahal shaped decorative buildings appear - they're everywhere.

The Taj Mahal

The one time we would have been eager to continue sightseeing our itinery demanded that we check into our hotel first. Thinking back this was probably for us to wash and brush up before our visit and photo shoot. Unfortunatley we didn't know about the photoshoot and though it a waste to get changed only to go out in the heat and get sweaty again. So we ordered from room service and enjoyed the view from our hotel window whilst killing time and trying not to jump up and down in excitement.

After a couple of hours we set off. You are searched on the way into the Taj Mahal and being a place of worship there are lots of items that are forbidden. The Taj is so much more than I though it was going to be. With mirror imaged building and symmetry everywhere. When we arrived int the late afternoon the place was incredibly busy and you really did have to run the gauntlett of market traders and street sellers on the way from the bus to the entrance.

Once inside inside you can explore the site at your leisure, although there is a massive queue to go inside the tomb it does move quickly - you can spot the queue on this photo.

susnset at the Taj Mahal - where's everyone gone?

Built by a broken hearted Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife and made of marble changing colour with the passing of the days your first sight of the monument is through a massive entrance gate where the building is framed dead central.

There are plently of photo opportunities at the Taj Mahal and plenty of guides who (for a tip) will show you the best photo spots - some of our group wanted Dianna's bench??? but most people were after the classic reflection picture

As the sun went down people began to dissapear as quickly as they had arrived and it quickly changed atmosphere - you really could feel that this is most romantic on earth.

• Pros:beautiful - the trip of a lifetime