Hello Hive,
In celebration of the Travel Digest 1000th Edition for the Hive's Haveyoubeenhere Community, this is my entry to the Pinmapple If I had $1000 Contest. It's with great pleasure to participate in this competition and I sincerely wish the best to everyone involved!
It's 2007, and I'm standing in front of the most magnificent edifice of ivory-white marble that my eyes had ever laid upon! With its surrounding lush green gardens, terraces and courtyards, crystal-clear ponds and flowing fountains, plus perimeter buildings constructed of red sandstone, the Taj Mahal is India's iconic national symbol and is considered one of the world's most remarkable stories of love. So, If I had an extra US$1,000 to spend, I'd revisit this marvelous complex and explore the neighborhood of Agra before these unique historical places get wiped out by the ravages of time.
"Am I dreaming? Am I really here?" These are my restless thoughts as I'm stunned by the breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal. Now, you might be wondering why I reacted this way. Well, you see, this is how it all started.
An Unexpected Side Trip
My visit to the Taj Mahal happened to be a spur of the moment. A business meeting was already scheduled with one of our top clients in New Delhi. I was still employed in Dubai during that year, and my employing company tasked me to handle the said project in that Indian city.
And then all of a sudden, during my second day in New Delhi, the client approached me with a smile and asked "Would you like to see the Taj Mahal?" "Wow! Really?" I replied with my eyes opened wide and shedding tears of joy. Without second thoughts, I immediately answered with my loudest YES! (Besides, who could refuse a tempting invitation, right?)
However, here's the tricky part. Because of the limited time, I together with some associates and clients, were only granted a little over 2 hours to experience the Taj Mahal. That was certainly not enough for me to fully savor everything there! It was just like scratching the outer surface of the icings of a delicious chocolate cake! (Of course, I was not satisfied!)
Nevertheless, I gave my highly-respected Indian host the personal gratitude he deserved for that once-in-a-lifetime treat. Yet, deep inside, I vowed to myself that I would eventually return to this beloved destination someday, somehow!
I've already traveled to other parts of India like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai because of previous work-related assignments however, it's the Taj Mahal and the neighboring region of Agra that stand out from the rest of the country. At least for me, it is! I'm still longing to explore all the hidden secrets that are waiting to be discovered there - but this time as part of my personal escapade and leisure-travel itinerary!
Is US$1,000 Enough for this Proposed Journey?
To give you a basic idea of how much money I'll be spending for this trip on average, I've found a lot of useful information on this helpful website that calculates the necessary expenses for me. The highlighted data shown on the following screenshots were collected from the actual travel budgets of real travelers who have already been to the Taj Mahal and also traveled within the geographical region of Agra.
As shown on the charts above, it's clearly evident that a budget of US$1,000 is more than adequate to cover everything from accommodation, transportation, food, and tours.
My Personal Strategies for Sticking to the Travel Budget
I've been blessed to have traveled to many places around the world in my entire lifetime, and based on my previous experiences, I've noticed recurring patterns that have truly prevented me from going overboard with my travel budget.
I've been using these effective cost-saving methods for my personal travel itineraries since I've commenced my passion for wanderlust. Thus, for my proposed voyage to the Taj Mahal and Agra carrying a limited budget of US$1,000, I'll be implementing these same concrete principles below.
Off-Peak Seasons. I'll travel during the low period of the year because industry rates during the peak seasons are definitely expensive!
Solo Backpacker. Traveling alone with a backpack is more practical, essentially economical, and has always challenged me to escape my comfort zone.
Airline Promos. To save largely on the airfare, I'll purchase airline tickets offering sales discounts and travel promotions.
Budget Accommodations. Instead of checking-in an expensive hotel, I'll choose to stay at economical alternatives like Airbnb listed properties for rent, budget hostels, pension houses, relative's or friend's houses, etc .
Public Transportation. Instead of hiring exclusive private cars or hotel-sponsored vehicles, I would settle for the auto-rickshaws, tuk-tuks, motorbikes, or other cheaper modes of public transportation available.
Cheap Clean Meals. I'll avoid dining in expensive restaurants. and go for the more affordable eating establishments that serve healthy and safe food.
Private Tour Guide. I can save and do more with a local guide who can show me around interesting places and who knows, perhaps I might end up having a friend and future ally.
Fully armed with these tried and tested processes, I'm absolutely confident and ready to travel more with the acquired value I get from every dollar spent.
The Majestic Splendor of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been named as India's "Jewel of Muslim Art". This famous landmark is also acclaimed by many as the world's finest example of Mughal Architecture.
After browsing for some pins on the pinmapple website covering the region of Agra in India, I've come across an awesome post by 
Let me take you back down memory lane on that delightful day in 2007. We left early in the morning and it took us more than 3 hours to travel by car from New Delhi to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Along the route, I witnessed 2 different sides of India: one enriched with progress while the other damaged by poverty - living side by side! Regardless of that contrasting reality, I set aside my sympathetic feelings for the time-being and replaced them with my real admiration for the vast wealth of historical treasures this country holds. The Taj Mahal is indeed India's most iconic historical gem, and we're on our way to meet her and be captivated by her timeless beauty.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a long line of visitors and tourists who were waiting for their turns to get inside the vast complex. A red sandstone archway served as the attraction's ticket hub. However, with a few connections, we were able to pass through the entry gates in no time!
The red sandstone buildings linked on both sides also displayed the typical character of Mughal architecture. They were part of the enclosing walls that surrounded the Taj Mahal complex.
The next building in sight was the "Darwaza" or the main gateway to the complex. Again, this structure was constructed of red sandstone and exhibited the same Mughal architectural character as with the other surrounding landmarks. As soon as I was in the interior grounds of the Taj Mahal, I immediately got an idea on the vast expanse of the green terraces, ponds, and landscapes that surrounded the main attraction. It was one of the biggest gardens I've ever seen!
The Taj Mahal is the only white building inside the entire complex as it was evidently differentiated from the other red sandstone structures enclosing the property perimeter. The towering minarets in white marble (40 meters/130 feet high) were definitely huge as I approached the main mausoleum. With the shining rays of the midday sun, the white marble claddings sent a glittering reflection against the backdrop of the bright blue sky.
From the upper deck of the Taj Mahal, you can also view the other red sandstone buildings with the same defining architectural features. There's a vivid contrast between the red facades of the surrounding perimeter walls and the white marble of the main tomb's façade, minarets, and central dome.
Even the lower level pavements and walkways sported a red sandstone color to purposely make the Taj Mahal stand out from the rest of the structures within the immense complex.
Majority of the Taj Mahal's white marble outer façades had stone carvings of realistic bas reliefs that depicted vines, flowers, and plant motifs. The white marble used for the outer walls had also been finely polished so as to define the exquisite stone carvings.
The inlay stones used with the white marble slabs included yellow marble, jasper, and jade also polished to achieve the same results as the white marble walls.
I was just amazed with the tremendous amount of details used to adorn this mausoleum of white marble! No wonder it took so many years to complete such a stunning masterpiece of architecture!
As I was nearing the end of our tour, I sat down on one of the garden benches to give the Taj Mahal one final glance before I left. Time stood still as I lingered in that spot. I couldn’t help but ponder on how amazing this entire feat of architecture has been constructed. "The building technologies were limited during the ancient times, but just look at how they've achieved a masterpiece so grand that it remains unbelievable up to this day!" I thought.
I could also imagine how emperor Shah Jahan laboriously built this magnificent memorial for 22 years as a token of eternal love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal when she died after giving birth to their 14th child. Indeed, the power of true love can truly achieve miraculous endeavors that every human being can only dream of!
Other Highlights of the Taj Mahal
My previous experiences of the Taj Mahal were not enough! Therefore, on my next visit, I'll make sure that the following features and additional attractions will be added to my To Do List for an in-depth exploration of this world-renowned site.
NIGHT VIEWING. This is a spectacular visual feast for the eyes that's not offered on a typical day. Depending on the moon's lunar alignment on certain months of the year when it shines the brightest, the available viewing schedules are adjusted accordingly. I absolutely don't want to miss this one!
SUNSET RIVER CRUISE. I also desire to experience the Taj Mahal from a different perspective, And one of the most unique viewing angles to look at its majestic aura is from the nearby river. A leisurely cruise on this body of water lets me experience the romantic sunset in that location.
ARCHITECTURAL TOUR. As an Architect, I would love to learn more about the design history, construction details, and other architectural elements of the Taj Mahal and its surrounding mosques, buildings, and related structures.
There's More to Discover in Agra
Did you know that there are other fascinating landmarks within Agra that also deserve your attention? Since my budget of US$ 1,000 is still sufficient for visiting other important attractions within this region of India, I'd include the following significant destinations and pleasurable experiences on my travel bucket list.
AGRA FORT. This historical building is situated approximately 2.5 kilometers northwest of the Taj Mahal. It became the core residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638 before New Delhi became the new capital city of India. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known as a walled city during this ancient period.
BIRD WATCHING AT CHAMBAL RIVER. Because I'm a nature lover, this would be a great getaway for me to enjoy bird watching! The Chambal River is part of a natural habitat in a tropical scrub forest that caters to reptiles, freshwater mammals, and around 300 species of birds to observe from a distance.
FATEHPUR SIKRI. This ancient town used to be the capital city of the Mughal Empire when emperor Akbar was the ruler from 1571 to 1585 until he completely abandoned the site because of a campaign in Punjab. By 1610, it was totally deserted.
AKBAR’S MAUSOLEUM. Also called Akbar's Tomb, this burial ground was where the Mughal emperor Akbar was laid to rest. His son Jahangir built this tomb from 1605-1613 and was part of 119 acre lot in Sikandra, a sub district of Agra.
SHOPPING AT KINARI BAZAAR. I'd definitely allocate some money for shopping because I enjoy collecting treasured souvenirs from the places I've visited. The Kinari Bazaar is a popular marketplace in Agra where reasonable deals and bargains abound. This is a commercial hub where zardozi (gold embroidery), temple trims, wedding turbans, silver items, a wide variety of fabrics, food delicacies like parathas, and other interesting stuff for crafters and DIY enthusiasts are being sold. Kinari means "Hem" in the Hindi language.
MUGHLAI CULINARY DELIGHTS. This unique type of cuisine was perfected in the medieval Indo-Persian cultural locations of the Mughal Empire. Basically, it's a mixture of cooking styles consisting of Indian, Central Asian, and Iranian cuisines. The tastes would differ from extremely mild to spicy flavors with the distinctive aroma of ground and whole spices. This will be an interesting dish for me to try as I'm an avid fan of culinary adventures around the world.
Depending on the remaining balance of my US$1,000 pocket money and how long I'll be staying in Agra, there's still a plethora of other significant buildings of interest, historical sites, plus cultural and gastronomic traditions to discover and enjoy. The possibilities are endless!
Concluding Insights
A lot of people are still hesitant when it comes to organizing travel plans because of monetary concerns. And this burden continues to escalate when it involves destinations that appear challenging and financially-intimidating. Most of them assume that to enjoy traveling, they would need a ton of cash to splurge.
On the contrary, you don't need to sell your property, withdraw your life savings, or borrow money to be able to travel well. Those are already extreme measures and are certainly not beneficial to your well-being. No need to be desperate!
Regardless of your travel budget, all it takes is discipline, patience, and resourcefulness with an attitude of creativity. There's a lot you can do with US$1,000 only if you know how to use it efficiently and effectively.
I chose the Taj Mahal and Agra as my preferred destinations for this contest because I strongly believe there's massive value for every dollar I would spend on these locations. As a result, I get to collect more quality travel experiences for my money!
India is indeed a tremendously wealthy nation of culture, languages, technological advancements, culinary adventures, and awesome people! You should consider visiting this country someday because I'm pretty sure you'll discover something there that would spark your interest. Let's just hope and pray that this pandemic would finally disappear at the soonest and grant us the ultimate freedom and much-needed break we've all been waiting for!
Take care everyone and thank you for reading my travel story!
#Hive, have you been here?
Adventure is where my wanderlust leads me.
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