Taj

After the village tour we went to check in to the hotel.  Very quick turn around because we needed to get to the Taj Mahal.  We thought it closed at 5 pm.  We found out later that it is the outer gate that closed at 5.  Once you are in you can relax.  We got there in plenty of  time.  There is a lot of security to get in but we were allowed to take our cameras in.  Long list of what we could not take.  Mostly that was not a problem.  We left everything at the hotel.  Speaking of security there is a lot of fake security to get into the hotels.  We do have to show our passports each time, and our bags have to go through a scanner and we had to walk through a scanner.  The reason I say it was fake is that it did not seem to matter if it beeped.  They just waved us through.  I guess we just look honest.

tong ride to the Taj.  Cars are not allowed to come close to the Taj because of pollution.  Once we got to the outer gate we got to cut the line to get in because of our tour guide.

Gateway

We aren't the only ones trying to get group photos.

The TAJ 

This group of kids asked us to be in their group photo.  

monkeys abound

no mistakes here.  Gorgeous work.

Sunset.  We really lucked out.  For such a foggy start of the day it ended perfectly.  The Taj started to glow and change colors as the sun was setting.  It was perfect temperature.  We had a tonga ride out as well.  They have some battery operated buses to take people out but we preferred the tonga. Our skydeck dinner reservation was at 7 pm.  We got to the hotel in time to put on some warmer clothes.  Dinner was a perfect end to the day.  The full moon was out.  I am glad we came up here earlier to see the Taj because of course we could not see it once it got dark.

the dinner

full moon and the fire pit.  

complementary wine, cookies and chocolates.

What a perfect day.