After the Trek phase we traveled back to Delhi for the R&R phase of the expedition. We got a flight back to Delhi instead of a bus as this would allow us more time to see the sights back in Delhi. We found that after the relative cool of Leh that Delhi was like a steamroom. The smells were also a lot different than we remembered as well, very pungent indeed. The day after we arrived we travelled by train down to Agra in order to see the Taj Mahal. On the way we had an interesting experience when our train split in half. We had to wait for several hours in the mid day heat for a new carriage to put between the two that were broken in order that we could carry on.
It was an interesting experience to say the least sitting with my legs hanging out of the open doorway looking out over the verdant green of Indian farmland whilst traveling at about 50 miles an hour. I'm not quite sure it complies to European health and safety regulations.
Once we arrived at Agra we tooka short taxi ride to the Taj Mahal. Although I thought it was smaller than it it looked in photos it was still a magnificent piece of Asian architecture. What most people forget is the magnificent gate ways into the Taj Mahal almost as big and nearly as ornate and splendiferous. After walking around and taking the obligatory photos we went to have some lunch in a rooftop cafe. We went up the stairs and turned aropund and there it was towering over the rest of the city the Taj Mahal, turns out we needn't have paid to get in, we could've just gone up there.
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After a long train journey back to Delhi we were glad of some rest.
The next day was spent looking for last minute presents for everyone back home, and of course looking for bargain designer clothes for ourselves. It suprising how many designer outlets there are there.
After a hard days shopping we had a final meal together to celebrate what a fantastic time we all had.
The plane journey back was one of mixed emotions, sad to be leaving but also glad to be going home, to cool sedate and most of all pleasantly smelling England
