6 February 2015 - We journey to Uttar Pradesh province and arrive in Agra.

Poor Annika is still unwell and getting rather tired of the Jaipur Jollies and the thought of a 5 hour bus trip sans toilet was less than appealing.  John, the Californian art dealer, with whom we had eaten and chatted at Suryaa Villa kindly gave her some Imodium which at least enabled her bowel to settle.  She did vomit en route, but is prone to travel sickness anyhow, and I, the nurse, was instructed to throw the plastic bag and contents by the side of the road, adding to the filth already there.  When in India....   Poor girl!  We have made the decision to travel by train back to New Delhi rather than bus as there is an option of a toilet and fresh air on a train.

Thocks!! Quite trendy  here in India

Our friendly waiters, greeted us with the usual kindness, and served us breakfast.  Although breakfast was included in our package, I believe they exceeded the normal to make allowances for the kids.  We gave them  a generous tip and review.  We loved staying at Suryaa Villa.

Suryaa Villa looking to restaurant

Good Bye Jaipur

Chess over breakfast

Ready to go

Padam and Ranjeet, our fantastic waiters

They loved Luke

Tuk tuk squeeze to bus stop - all part of the fun!

Karl negotiated with a black tuk tuk driver to take us in two trips to the bus stop which worked out well.  The bus came on time and overall the journey was less hair raising than our previous bus journey. 

Bus stop crowd

Annika and Karl came on the second tuk tuk trip!

 Passing through the rocky mountain rural Rajasthan the pot holed road led through a tunneled mountain pass and then bumped its way past villages with straw huts, animals and rice  paddies, soybean crops and dust, dust and more dust! Camel and horse carts mingled with the usual mopeds and trucks and tuk tuks and pedestrians and buses.  Our bus this time had curtains which was great and blocked out the glare.  Grateful again to be here in the cooler season!

Half way stop in Mahua, Rajasthan, nb crack in windscreen!

Map of Rajasthan

Eucalypts!

We alighted at Idgah Bus Station and we swamped with the usual tuk tuk drivers and negotiated a good price to get to Bansi Home Stay.  A paradise, in a side street and clean and spacious and welcoming.  We were given a cup of tea and cumin biscuits and shown to our lovely rooms.  Aaah!  Airbnb has really been great for our accommodation so far.

Tim on backpack duty in one tuk tuk and the rest of us in another! Idgah Bus Station

Bedroom at Bansi Home Stay

Front of Bansi Home Stay

We went out for a walk through the gardens near to the Taj Mahal and enjoyed spotting monkeys, especially the baby ones.  We couldn't go into the grounds because it is Friday but enjoyed walking around the old walls and wandering about.  Dinner, much to my shagrin, was Dominos Pizza.  It was tasty but so much more expensive than Indian food and an indulgence.

Sweet little donkeys just wadenring down the street!

Exciting!

One of the many monkeys along the streets of Agra

Ancient walls around the Taj Mahal

First glimpse of the Taj  Mahal

Sun setting over the noisy streets of Agra.

Fending off tuk tuk offers by the dozen we walked back to Bansi Home Stay, again, a haven from the traffic noise and down a quiet side street.  It is good to have somewhere comfortable to lay our weary bodies!  The only hitch being the cool showers...oh well, I'm tough enough to cope with a little discomfort! We seriously don't expect perfection in India.