To India we go! Day 1- New Delhi

We finally were able to take an extended holiday as Eric's work schedule calmed down a bit.  We planned this holiday to India and the highly regarded Maldives in January for the March trip.  We were so looking forward to this trip!!! Unfortunately, about a week before we were scheduled to leave, we found out we were moving back to the US!!!  We almost cancelled!  But, we put it all in perspective and just decided to go for it.  So, this trip was very bitter sweet for us.  It was a really great way to "go out with a bang" and move back to the US, but we also knew that as soon as we returned, we'd be packing up and moving out.  Luckily, we put all those thoughts aside and spent a wonderful 12 days traveling through India and the Maldives...a great mix of tourism and relaxation. 

Our first day in India started very early.  The only flight we could take out of Doha was at 2am so we arrived in Delhi bright and early, and tired as anything!  But, we were in India so we pushed through our first day in the bustling city of New Delhi.   India proved to be such an amazing country in our eyes.  We were told by many that we did not see the best of India and that we must return...of course we can't wait to go back.   India and its people practice many religions....Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, Buddhism & Christianity (and maybe more).  Every religion is able to co-exist, which is pretty amazing.  The people were so colorful and friendly which is something we really appreciated. 

Tuk-Tuk (taxi cab) on the busy busy streets of Delhi.  We thought driving in Egypt was bad...Delhi definitely gave Cairo some competition!

Waitin' for some customers 

Scenes from Delhi...

Street markets with your neighborhood goats.

Off to the Red Fort

View from the Red Fort 

A quiet moment 

Keeping clean 

These little girls were dying to get a photo with me (umm, except for maybe the girl on the right)

These children also wanted their photo taken 

Washing feet before prayer

Praying 

Barefoot and covered

Time for a nap

Next up was a walking tour around Delhi

I'm sorry, did you think your cables were twisted?  This is nothing! 

A Temple 

Apparently this guy made the best chai in Delhi and has been written about all over....we were a bit too freaked to get sick from drinking the water on our first day of our 12 day trip....darn!

Temple

Water pump

Such hard workers

Next we were leaving Delhi and on our way to Agra, site of the Taj Mahal...250 KM away  (about 150 miles).  The drive with our trusty driver, Ved took about 6 hours.   Luckily most of the way we were too knocked out to stay awake because that was a crazy drive!  Drivers all over the place, passing other drivers, and lots of horn honking. 

About 4 hours in, our driver frantically woke us up telling us we were about to miss seeing the Taj Mahal for the first time!!!   We both were a bit groggy, but one thing for sure is that we were both were surprised to see how much smaller it looked in person.  Ved asked us if we'd like to visit then, so we of course said sure!  He then started laughing hysterically!   This structure is called "mini Taj"...he got a huge kick out of playing this practical joke on us.   

At that point, we decided it was enough sleeping!  Typical sitings 

 We arrived in Agra shortly after and we were able to visit the Agra Fort 

Inside

We saw tons of these animals on the grounds of the Agra Fort 

Another tuk-tuk driver

That night we spent at a hotel in Agra.   Next up...the Taj Mahal!