From Agra Jan 26

Happy 40^th birthday on the 24^th Geoff!!!  Sorry we missed by telephone.

Travel from Udaipur to Jaipur, 400 mi, took 8 hr or not much faster than 50 km/hr after pee and lunch breaks.  Near Jaipur was the magnificent Amber Fort, started 1592, with royal palace inside.  Like most royal construction here, it is mostly red sandstone and white marble.  (We passed  dozens of marble works after Jaipur.)  Photos include the walls, the Hall of Victory with mirrors.  Ropes and pulleys hauled water to the top, where some was heated to provide hot and cold running water and “flush” toilets.  Bollywood movie that night, with lots of screaming teens.

Jan 25 saw the “Monkey Temple” to Hanuman the monkey god, with bathers in the sacred pools.  A highlight was a visit to the Abhaneda step well (see photo) where we were interviewed by the local newspaper. (another pic.)

Today, Jan 26, highlight was Keoladeo wildlife sanctuary near Bharatpur.  (more pics, some including grey and purple herons, painted storks, deer, a wild boar, a 1-m python,…)

Then to Fatehpur, capital of the Moghul empire from 1571 to 1585 until emperor Akbar (a Muslim) died.  He had Muslim, Hindu and Christian wives as a political gesture, with a palace for each.  A large mosque also on the site, red sandstone with terraces slanted and channeled to store rainwater in pools.  Superb engineering.  Total site about 500 m x 500 m?  On to Agra late today; Taj Mahal tomorrow.