India, Africa and Asia.

[drron]

The last of the fort.












This formed part of the defences. If someone breached the outer wall this was the wall on either side of the slope leading up to the palaces. Oil could pour out of the ppes.

 

[drron]

Back to the Oberoi.


The Metro is being built.

 

[drron]

When we got back I took a walk round the grounds hoping to catch sunset,


















But then the fog rolled in.

 

[Denali]

Im getting way too old. How are you suppose to get up and down the stairs to/from the pool without a hand rail?

 

[SYD]

The Metro is being built.
View attachment 494186

The first section is operating with a stop at the Taj west gate and another right opposite the Red Fort Entrance.

There’s a station right outside the Grand Mercure. 20 rupes (return) or A$0.30.


But strangely under utilised at the moment…


Possibly because it doesn’t come up on Google maps under public transport…I thought it was still under construction until I saw trains regularly passing back and forth (once the fog cleared).

 

[drron]

Dinner night 2.














Mrsdrron had an Indian Sav Blanc. She liked it and half the price of the cheapest imported one.


I though went for n imported red. I wanted to try this German Dornflder. I thought it extremely good and slightly seet. fuller bodied thn I thought it to be and an unmistakable bouquet of cherries. Excellent with Indian food.




Mrsdrron had the lamb shank with mushrooms and potatoes.






Whilst I had the pomfret and Kerala chicken plus accompaniments.




We both enjoyed it and thanked the staff. They wanted a photo of us. That cost them taking one with my phone



We were also given present of an inlaid marble jewellery box. Just as well Mrsdrron made no purchase at the craft place earlier that day.

 

[drron]

Back to the bedroom and this was our present.




That was ~$A200 at the craft shop.
The flowers on the floor had changed. golden slippers as well.




In the morning we found that ducks had walked across our balcony.






Then down to breakfast.




And a specil plate of fruit.


We left at 1130 for our flight at 1530. At checkout we were again presented with a gift. That was opened when we got to Mumbai,
So some scenes as we headed to the airport.




And what must be a popular shop in India- The Red Tape Outlet.

 

[drron]

There wer several of these signs. Agra has a very large Army presence.




A long coal train.

 

[drron]

Agra Airport is actually an Air force base and we learnt that we will be dropped at the front gate as no private vehicles are allowed to enter. It is at the end o a long commercial street








and this is where we get off and have to take our bags. We give a fellow 100 INR and he takes care of the bags. An excellent idea for ~ $A1.60. not only took the bags inside the base but puts them through the xray, picks them up and take them to the bus that takes you to the terminal and loads them onto the bus.



The bus is packed.


RZ5C-TQ3G-Y4NK

We find another fellow here to do the same job for us for 100 INR. The woman at the door wasn't going to let us in as we hadn't checked in. Naturally check in is past security. A fellow comes cross with the manifest, finds our names and in we go. Our fellow earns his money as group of Chinese ar blocking the exit from the Xray machine. He pushes them out of the way and grabs our bags, takes them to the checkin and on to the gate entrance where he can't go so we take possession of our carryons.


I felt I needed to have toilet break. Walked into the Mens and walked out againa nd no further urge until we were in our room in the IC Mumbai.
Ours is much better plus boarding at the front via a cattle ramp. much easier than stairs with a walking stick.


We were in 6C,D. the leg shot.


With our fare we got a mea. You had to pre select from 4 choices. I had this.


The FA added hot water and 8 minutes later I began to eat.
Mrsdrron had the western choice.




An uneventful flight and arrived into Mumbai little early.

 

[SYD]

As posted elsewhere, they’re building a dedicated Civil terminal at Agra. No idea if or when it’ll open.


But not sure what they’re doing to better manage deconfliction of military / civil ops. Our scheduled flight from BOM couldn’t land due to military activity and diverted back Bhopal to refuel. Ended up arriving 4 hrs late…