Up early to shower and get out

Our driver for the next 7 days awaits us: Yunis

He’s lovely and arrived early, we bundle in his new car and set off

We hear that there are over 3 million gods in Indian culture – everything is a god as it provides a benefit or a lesson to us

First pit stop: Shiva Dhaba

This is our first breakfast included in our trip package

We finish off with a chai tea and chat with Yunis about the rest of the trip and what we can expect from Indian culture

Back on the road SE

Wild monkeys just as we leave the Haryana state!

We arrive in Mathura where Krishna was born

We’re escorted the back entry of the temple, guarded by more wild monkeys, with a guide

There’s a holy place that honours this birth of a god within a temple that was renovated by the British

Turns out Krishna was actually born in prison – we walk through this chamber as lots of celebrations are had around us

(no pictures as we weren’t allowed our phones, let alone our watches, near the place!)

After we get back in the Davesy-mobile

Cows are so frequent by the side of the road – they have a big hump, similar to a camel, which helps them with the climate

A short trip to the next stop: Akbar and Sikandra tombs

Beautiful, well maintained gardens with wildlife roaming freely

Animals included monkeys, stalks, chipmunks, parakeets, pigeons, peacocks, just to name a few

Again, back in the car to take us to our abode for the next two nights

Hotel Alleviate is a nice place to rest your head!

We have a quick freshen up, after checking in, and head out again to a view point of the Taj Mahal

Our driver parks where there is the beginnings of celebrations for a wedding – brass band for the lady and a horse ready for the man

We pass more cows before heading off to some dinner

We go to Haveli for some noms – first ones there so they’re ready and raring for our order

Celebratory Dave birthday eve with some kingfisher beers too!

Stuffed, we head back to the hotel for an early night ready for a big day ????