Agravation

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  Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Left Ranthambore in thick "pea soup" fog which, at least, means you can't see the lorries coming towards you on the same carriageway!    The locals appear to place their faith in hazard warning lights as being their saviour.  No messing around with dipped headlamps or high intensity rear lights here!   Fortunately, the local speciality vehicle appears to be powered by a 2 stroke stationery diesel engine which you can hear before you see it.   After 20 miles the road deteriorated to a mud and gravel track which we learnt was that you can get 3 inches of red dust to settle on the car and windscreen.  

Bumped into Thelma and Louise at the overpriced lunch stop which was left in traditional style of heading the wrong way down a dual carriageway.   Carried on to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary where the safari was by Rickshaw propelled by a 6 stone pedaller.   

Particularly spectacular were the Painted Storks with 2mtr wing span of which there were 400 adults and 200 chicks, who all were squawking for food at the same time.   We were also impressed to read the Honours Board showing that in 1902 British dignitaries had managed to shoot in excess of 4000 ducks in a day.   Grumpy guide would have been even grumpier if he had known that the Rickshaw driver got double the tip that he did!

Having spent longer at the Bird Sanctuary than perhaps intended, we completed the drive to Agra in the foggy dark.  Can someone explain to us why unlit cyclists, in dark clothes,  think it is safe to cycle 3 abreast on narrow and unlit roads full of heavy traffic???????

Total traffic chaos on arrival in Agra but  arrived at our hotel without problems to learn that it's revolving restaurant has views of the Taj Mahal....except in Fog!

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