Day 2: Golden Triangle Tour: Agra

Tajmahal - Golden Triangle Tour India

After basking in the royalty and luxury of Jaipur we moved to Agra, our next destination. No wonder we all know about Agra, the glorious city famous for Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. This is the most famous attraction of India which has earned this incredible country international fame. Agra tour is an important part of the Golden Triangle Tour. Playing a great role in India Tourism, Agra is visited by scores of tourists throughout the year.

Agra, the city of the Mughals, was ruled by several great Mughal rulers in the past. They left behind the heritage in the form of outstanding monuments. In Agra, we were booked in Hotel Taj View, which is one of the finest five star hotels in India. It is located only 1 km from the Taj Mahal and from our rooms we could see the Taj Mahal. After relishing delicious breakfast we went to see the Taj Mahal. At the very first sight of the Taj Mahal from close quarter my Japanese friends said “wow! What an architectural wonder”.

I told my friends about the history of Taj Mahal. It was built in 1632 by the famous Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. And it took around 22 years and more than 20, 000 labors to construct this architectural marvel in white marble. The architectural design of this monument is based on the principle of the interlocking arabesque concept, where each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements. The wonderful minarets are around 150 feet each. Everything about Taj Mahal is truly fascinating. It is truly an epitome of human creativity.

The entire monument is adorned with intricate pietra dura inlay work of floral designs and calligraphy which makes it awe-inspiring. At one point of time the interiors were studded with precious and semi-precious stones. The architectural style of Taj Mahal encompasses Mughal, Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic styles. This mausoleum is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My friends were delighted to know the history of Taj Mahal. They said that it was a great experience for them and they will remember it for long.

As we were pressed for time so after some shopping in the colorful bazaars of Agra we headed for Khajuraho, our last destination.

Honeymoon On Goa Beaches: Simply The Best !!

Finally, my long awaited dream came true and I tied a knot with my childhood lover. I always had a wish to visit some exciting destinations with her. As we were planning for a romantic honeymoon trip, she insisted me to explore Goa beaches. She, being an adventure enthusiast, loves to go for water sports while I am a lazy spirit and love to spend days in seclusion. And we came to a conclusion that a trip to Goa is full of attractions for all kinds of tourists with varying moods. I contacted Monika, a friend of mine who works with Caper Travel Company Pvt. Ltd. (a reputed India tour operator company), and asked her to plan a honeymoon tour to Goa for me.

Honeymoon On Goa Beaches

On arriving Goa, both of us were amazed to see the perfect blend of sea, sand, sun, surf and sea-food. The land abounds with scenic beauty all around and this makes it one of the picture perfect destinations in India. Roaring sea waves in Goa ensure a special bond between couples. The best part with this hot and happening place is that its 105 km long coastline is endowed with lovely beaches. Moreover one can avail the best of luxury services and facilities at various hotels and beach resorts in Goa. I also booked a cozy room in a beach resort near the Anjuna Beach in north Goa.

We started our exploration with north Goa and its capital Panaji/Panjim. I spend one entire day visiting the ancient Portuguese churches, monuments, gardens and statues. The next day was dedicated to all kinds of water sports, for which we visited Anjuna, Baga, Arambol, Dona Paula and the Calangute Beach. My beautiful wife enjoyed parasailing, water-scootering, wind-surfing, scuba diving, water skiing & angling, and I accompanied her in almost all the sports. In the evening, we spent some quality time on the white sands feeling the touch of cool air with some lip-smacking sea-food delicacies.

Now was the turn to explore south Goa. We visited attractive Portuguese-style villages, the cultural city of Margao and the picturesque beaches like Bogmalo, Colva, Agonda and Palolem. We spent romantic evening there while strolling hand in hand down the beaches, dancing by the fireside at midnight, and singing old songs to the beautiful notes of strumming guitar. We celebrated our newly found companionship in the trance parties till the wee hours in the night. At the end, Goa is simply the best to enjoy a memorable honeymoon. Whether you want to spend relaxing vacations together or want to have fun as a couple – Goa beaches are incomparable !!

Goa – A destination One Can Talk Endlessly About!

Golden Goa Beaches

The word 'beach' is inseparable from the adventure-filled destination 'Goa'. In fact, it would be apt to say that 'life is a beach' in Goa. Famed the world over, the beaches of this overwhelming destination offer everything one can ask for. Right from the pleasant environment to the scenic beauty, water sports, interesting cuisine, a variety of accommodation options and shopping opportunities, it offers all.

Drunk on beaches, s to choose I reached Goa to let myself loose in its charismatic aura. The most difficult part of my journey wafrom a host of beach options in Goa, where every beach has its own unique charm and beauty. To being with, I planned to visit North Goa first as I have heard that it is a paradise when it comes to beaches. It attracts maximum tourists from both India and abroad.

I flew down to the Dabolim Airport at Vasco da Gama with my heart brimming with joy. After resting for a while at the hotel, I was all set for my adventurous journey. My first halt was the arresting Arambol Beach. At this beach, the waves, the palm trees, the salubrious environment, the scenic beauty, all seem to be in perfect harmony with nature. I felt everything was 'embracing' there. The ambiance was peaceful and inviting and this is something we all crave for.

Exotic Goa Life

I enjoyed taking dips into the sea but I was very careful as I knew that this beach is not safe for swimming. I also opted for a dolphin-spotting trip and was rewarded with glimpses of dolphins. I captured the breathtaking views of the beach in my camera. Those moments were truly golden.

Arambol beach was lined with shacks and a few stalls selling sarong and a variety of other shopping items. I bought a few things and that too on a heavy discount. After this I climbed the Waghcolomb Hill, which offers fascinating views of the beach.

At night I went to the Loekie Cafe, located on the road to the beach, to experience the nightlife of Goa. After flaunting my pelvic and pectoral at the jam session, I came back to the hotel with wonderful thoughts of the beach bouncing around in my mind. Believe me they are still bouncing around in my mind.