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John and Mariko's Home in Cyberspace
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Rajasthan & the Taj Mahal (North India)
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Rajasthan, or Land of the Kings, is one of the real delights of India. It's largely a desert-like landscape, but
the splashes of color on the people, buildings and animals make it particularly enchanting. In February 2003, Mariko
and I had a chance to spend 10 days in Rajasthan (and one day at the Taj Mahal) with two good friends from Japan, Shimpei
and Sayaka. Camels, beautiful sunsets, good food, spectacular palaces and forts all made for a fantastic trip.
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In the deserts of Rajasthan, camels far outnumber cows.
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| Out in the dunes of the Thar Desert, about 20 miles from the Pakistan border |
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| On a camel ride in the desert near Jaisalmer |
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| This is from a traditional Rajasthani rural village where we had the chance to spend a night |
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| They look better than they sounded |
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| The blue city of Jodhpur as seen from Meherangarh fort |
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| Us at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. Part luxury hotel, part residence of the maharajah |
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| Us at the Taj |
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| You want a piece of me??? |
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| What much of rural Rajasthan looks like |
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| Mariko and John near Jaisalmer fort at sunset |
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| Friends at the top of Jaisalmer fort |
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| Us at the top of Jaisalmer fort in western Rajasthan |
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| Meherangarh fort overlooking the "blue city" of Jodhpur. |
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| Gajner palace in Rajasthan. Old residences of the maharajahs, palaces like this are a common sight |
THE TAJ MAHAL
No visit to India would be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal. Located in Agra, India (about 2 hours south
of Delhi), the Taj has been called the "greatest monument to love" as it is the resting place for the mortal remains of Mumtaz
Mahal, the favorite wife of Shah Jahan. As many times as you see it on TV, in books, on postcards or wherever, it is
truly impressive in person.
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| Visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra |
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