Muster time was 04:45. Immigration in India was a cluster. Every time I passed through the “cruise terminal“ ( a warehouse in the commercial port area) I had to show my Indian travel pass to an immigration officer. Very time consuming. And consequently it took a long time for 130 or so of us to pass through the terminal on the way to our designated bus. We missed Mumbai traffic because of the early departure. Interestingly Mumbai is building a limited access highway over the water east of the city. Must be cheaper than building on land through the slums. But with time to spare we arrived at the airport for the charter flight to Agra.
So after a charter flight, bus ride, and tuk tuk we arrive.
Inlay technically known as Pietra dura (Italian for “hard stone”) is marble inlaid with designs in precious or semi-precious stonework, such as onyx, jasper, carnelian, etc. cut into thin slices and neatly bedded in sockets prepared in the marble .
The Taj Mahal’s marble inlay work showcases an array of motifs, including intricate floral patterns, vines, arabesques, and calligraphy. These designs are meticulously arranged to create symmetrical compositions, enhancing the architectural harmony of the monument.
In India, marigold flowers hold a special place in Hindu culture. They are often used during festivals like Diwali and Navratri, as well as in weddings and religious ceremonies. In these contexts, marigolds symbolize purity, auspiciousness, and the divine.
After a very late lunch it was time to head home. We left Agra shortly after 4:00 pm.
Due to many unforeseen delays the group arrived back at the ship at 02:00 on 18 April. If I knew the name of the Indian tour company organizing this outing I would NOT recommend them.
Fortunately Joe and I didn’t have an excursion planned for the next day so we rested. The heat from Ho Chi Minh City to now has been so intense that planning activities on consecutive days has been difficult.
https://www.axios.com/2024/05/02/east-asia-heat-wave-records
Two sea days to the next stop.
MO goes Around the World 
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