The Red Fort

Remember the beautiful inlaid decoration on the Taj?  Here are the semi-precious stones that were used - from the top they are: carborundum, mother of pearl, jasper, agate, malachite, black onyx, turquoise and lapis lazuli.

Finely sliced and shaped by hand it is painstaking work.

As is this silk embroidery onto velvet

Just look at the luscious silks...

Lunch was here, at the Pinch of Spice.  The doorman was there to help and

to ensure our handbags weren't containing:

Although if you were forced to drive on Indian roads, where everyone has the right to use the road, including bikes, handcarts, tuctucks, trucks, lorries, sacred cows and water buffaloes, you might be tempted to carry them!  In fact the water buffalo are real smart, taking theselves everyday from home, to their bathing waters and back again totally on their own.  

We had timed our visit to the Red Fort for sunset, when the setting sun sets the red sandstones walls ablaze.

Entry was via a wooden drawbridge, which to me was as beautiful as any of the Taj's offerings!

And it was comforting to know that the Authorities are just as safety conscious as the management of the Pinch of Spice!

The painted facades are being restored

but once again I find the rustic texture of stone and wood more appealing.

How many feet have walked this way through the centuries? Bet they all didn't have bright pink toe nails though...

A light hearted moment was spent getting to know the local fauna.

Not sure Magic would have found these chipmunks so appealing though.

The red sandstone walls are decorated with dense, intricate relief carvings

with a crenellated top.

Even the doors glow n the setting sun.

Look up at the second arch in, see the elephants' head with their trunks holding up the arches?

Beautifully carved fretwork grills to provide shade whilst letting the cooling breeze through.

Every surface seemed to have been carved.

Although not everywhere was in such a good state of repair.

Looking through, seeing beyond 

step through the door

and look out across the plain.  In the distance you can just make out the Taj in the evening mists.

The sun is setting fast now,

this close to the equator it doesn't linger long.

But there is time for one last ray to light up the domes

before climbing down to make your way back home.

Back through the colinades, with their delicate arches,

pause for a selfie,

snap the locals (I have serious sari envy)

close the door, slip the bolt...

...it's time to fly.

Everyone is heading off, some more elegantly than others!

We were so tired after a such a busy day it was a relief to be able to call room service and have dinner delivered...*sigh*