Time to reminisce again about India, as they host the ICC World Cup cricket. It’s another case of “Oh, we’ve been there! I recognise that somewhat oddly shaped stand!” And then, as they show snapshots of various Indian landmarks on TV – there’s the Taj Mahal! There’s India Gate!

Monday 13 March 2017, Holi Festival Day. Tammy G’s birthday. A day to visit the Taj Mahal, travel from Agra to Delhi, and to visit the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi (now the Arun Jaitley Stadium).

One of those mornings where you keep waking up every hour to see if it is 5am yet. Up early to meet at 5:45am for the “sunrise tour” of the Taj Mahal. Only a 5-minute drive from the hotel. Recommended to only take cameras for the security checks, and to wear long trousers/sleeves for modesty. In the queue soon after 6am, after successfully dodging all the animal poo along the footpath in the pre-dawn light.

In the queue for quite a while. Our local guide Rishi purchased the tickets for the group, also water and shoe covers for entering the mausoleum. Ticket sales from about 6.15am. Actual sunrise at 6.23am – still in the queue at this point.

The ladies’ security queue once again separate from the men for security frisking …one hotel had a sign “Please get yourself frisked”! Security check opened at 6.30ish. Lots of local ladies trying to push in, probably three of them to every one of us, but our “anti-push-in” awareness and tactics were noticeably improving.

Taj Mahal as expected – just like our jigsaw, although the trees along the central section have grown and are nicely trimmed on top. Lots of photos taken. One of the minarets scaffolded – see Scaffolding.

Up close and inside, the decorations are beautiful. The gemstones would be brilliant in certain light, as shown by torch light on them. Carvings beautiful. Geometric, floral and calligraphic designs. Magnificent!

All too soon it was back to the hotel for a late breakfast, check-out and 10am departure. Saw Holi colour powder at a distance, and the aftermath on the ground and on people, but no obvious participants just in our area.

Much quieter on the roads today, with shops along the road closed. Quickly onto a 3-lane highway, the Yamuna Expressway. Even the toll gate plazas seem very quiet today. “Over speeding will invite prosecution” – some oddly worded signs, often with random spelling. “Speed Awareness Weak.”

Enjoyed a brief respite from the noisy diff on the bus and the not-so-comfy seats with a welcome snack break. Some folk with Holi colours at the stop. Some lads even throwing old clothes covered in powder in the bin already.

Past brick-baking chimneys near Surir, lunch stop at anther highway stop near Alawalpur. Not really hungry but ended up with some excellent Hakka Noodles. Bargain at 140 rupees (about A$2.65). Freshly made and piping hot!

Back on the road, past Buddh International F1 Circuit at Dankaur. Upward to the outskirts of Delhi. Past the biggest temple complex in India. They seem to be very keen on the “biggest”, “Number 1”, “most” in the world, or at the very least, in India.

As we made good time into Delhi from Agra, we added on a couple of sightseeing spots. The first – Raj Ghat – the cremation place of Mahatma Gandhi, and since then, a memorial for other leaders and personalities. A place to be respectful; a shoes-off place. Oops, there’s a hole in that old travel sock. Also finished off my favourite old red slip-on shoes (seen in the photo above). Into the bin with you, too!

Next, we went to the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground – the Delhi Cricket Ground used for international matches. Successfully negotiated with the security personnel at Gate 2 who let us in 3-4 at a time to have a bit of a look and take some photos. No cricket on today, but always good to get a glimpse of different venues. In use this year (2023) for the ICC World Cup.

Some more landmarks – drove past India Gate – memorial for Indian soldiers killed in wars. This section in New Delhi is also known as Lutyen’s Delhi, as read in William Dalrymple’s City of Djinns – a good historical and must-read-prior-to-travel novel.

Our hotel in the area known as Connuaght Place, just near the Jantar Mantar which we visited later. Drinks at the bar. Some of our group participated in a late afternoon pool party with plenty of Holi colours splashed around. Greetings sent to Tammy G, with the newly-learnt phrase of “Janam din mubarak ho”, Happy Birthday!