Agra

We managed various trips to the Taj Mahal and a trip to Fatehpur Sikri,

Fatehpur Sikri was a city built out of rock and stone and abandoned soon after it was finished in the 16th century because of an uncertain water supply. The mosque and complex is beautiful. An extreme example of man's folly from centuries ago. The children scaled the massive bed of the maharaja which was situated overlooking the site where 300 concubines  would recline by the poolside. Jo says; 'Perhaps it is a  little bit like going to an exclusive restaurant and choosing your fish from the fishtank and having it served up nicely on a plate.'

The children all enjoyed the story of the Taj Mahal, a testamant to "love" and adoration. Or perhaps a demonstration to the excesses of a tyrant. Whatever was the motive for the building itself, the result is stunning.

The children all found wonderful details in the marble carvings and we all had a go at drawing the taj mahal from a restaurant roof top.

Our stay in Agra was longer than planned because Peter caught Dengue Fever and had to be admitted to hospital for a few days for rehydration. The first 24 hours were quite worrying as we watched to see how the disease would develop; luckily there were no complications. Jo's sister was ready to fly out at a moment's notice with the backing of the Foreign Office in case any of the rest of the family had been infected as well. We were lucky to be staying in a homestay whose owners would not hear of us moving out, but allowed us to extend our stay until Peter was discharged. Shiron and his mother had taken quite a shine to the children, and they were offered extended periods in front of their new 3D TV. One of us becoming ill had been our worst fear before leaving the UK, but having a family who knew the ropes looking out for us, gave us the extra stability we needed to feel safe in a strange country. Our homestay was a stones' throw away from the hospital, pizza hut, costa coffee and a swimming pool, so we got through it all remarkably easily!