Batad

G and I got another voucher from Cashcashpinoy. This time for a Batad weekend arranged by Access8 Tours and Events. There were about twenty of us, including our two guides for the weekend.

We went to the Ohayami Bus Station straight from the office. It was a long bus ride to Banaue and we tried to get as much sleep as we could.

We arrived at our Banaue stop in time for breakfast. The view from the window:

After breakfast, we got on a jeep (some of them rode on the roof -- toploading) to get to the Batad saddle where our trek would start. The jeep ride lets you appreciate a lot of the views and the mountains!

From the saddle, there was another long walk (maybe because I was too slow) to the inn where we will stay. It was uphill and downhill and tiring! (And we had to do it all over again, going back!)

A photo on the trail:

View of the rice terraces from the registration booth (community registration or something):

Simon's Place, where we stayed, was just a short walk away. And had these views:

After lunch and some rest, we went on a trek to view the rice terraces from the terrace itself...

It was a hard trek (for me) and I wanted to just stop and turn around. But good thing I didn't because the views are spectacular. One time, I wasn't paying attention and sank my left foot in ankle deep mud. On the way down, we took the easier path (it's relative) and took the stairs!

It was so steep and the steps were a bit too big for me. If we'd used these going up, I really wouldn't have made it.

On the second day, we were supposed to go the the Tappia Falls which would be basically almost the same climb as going to the top of the terraces and then a bit of way down to get to the waterfalls. I totally wimped out on that one, and instead stayed at the inn.

So, I got pictures of the rest of our group as they walked on the edges of the terraces on their way to the falls!

Fun fun fun! Despite the muscle pain I suffered for the next 2 or 3 days. Hehehe. I think I should go back to finally see the falls, but I should get in shape first.

Agra - Itmud ud Daulah's Tomb or the Baby Taj

It was late afternoon (after a nice lunch for K's birthday) when we finally went to the Baby Taj. (Google!)

Some details of the exterior

Inside, it was also intricately decorated (with restoration efforts still visible)

We tried to catch the sunset across the river from the Taj Mahal but it was cloudy. So we went back to the hotel for dinner and packing. Early morning train to Jaipur!

Agra Fort

After the Taj Mahal, we went back to our hotel for the buffet breakfast.:) And then went to see the Agra Fort, which is, ohmygod, another fort!

Here's my mom right outside the gate to the fort. (She's carrying her folding chair that doubles as a cane.)

The view off to the side

Inside, there's a bit of an uphill walk (oh, but this one's taken while going back)

One of the many buildings inside

and a close-up of its detail

Other structures inside

Some more of the magnificent stone screens

You can climb up to the upper levels of the fort and view the Taj Mahal from there. I didn't take a picture anymore. Here's a picture from the upper level:

A panoramic attempt

It's was really hot that day so we ended up not visiting all the other buildings inside the fort.

Agra - Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal...there are no words.

Fatehpur and Sikandra

After some lunch, we headed to Fatehpur and Sikandra. It is a sprawling complex of buildings/palaces, meant to house the three wives of the king. (The guide had a really good story involving intrigue, court drama and all that). A short walk away from the royal palaces is the complex that houses the tomb of one of their revered holy men, who allegedly advised the king to marry a Hindu woman in order to sire a son.

It was really hot (I'm a complainer, I know), so I didn't get a lot of what the guide was saying. Here are pictures.

I tried the panorama function but there's still distortion between the second and third frame. I have to work on that.

Here is a pool. In the middle of which is the area where the musician, who was able to light fire with his music, used to play. (Again, a fascinating legend)

This was designed by the king to symbolize the coming together of the Catholics, Muslim and Hindu (he had wives of those religions).

At Sikandra, you are required to remove your shoes to get inside...and it isn't very clean inside as they have a market and a lot of people and not a lot of trash bins.