31st Birthday at the Taj Mahal a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Namaste from the Taj Mahal in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh. Many of you may know of this mighty marble mosque/tomb.  The Taj sits on the south bank of the winding Yamuna River across the river are gardens that are part of the elaborate Mughal garden that encompasses almost 17 hectares.  I’m excited to be here for my birthday as it is another one of India’s world heritage sites. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO))

I arrived the night before looking for the hotel. didn’t get much sleep as I was very hot and uncomfortable, plus thinking about my age of 31, there were mosquitoes in the room and it was just overall a very uncomfortable hot night that did not assemble much sleep. Shortly after I fell asleep I woke up at 5 am to get a move on. I heard that if you get there early enough you may be the first one in to get a really clean photo of the Taj and the gardens. So when it was still dark I headed to the  que

. As I’m sure there were various employees that work on the grounds that were there in the gardens and inside before me, I was indeed the first tourist and from it looked like the first to enter on the day of.  I snapped some really good photos, and had a nice lady take my photo before anyone else came through the gates. Overall the entire day was great, but an unforgettable experience to have your photo taken with the ultimate back drop with no one else around.
Have a look at some of the many photos I snapped.

Manusharow- drewmanity.com- The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The mighty Taj – commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is the jewel of Muslim art in India and recognized around the world.

taj mahal- agra -india-manusharow drewmanityWhat an opportunity to be in Incredible India on my birthday and to have a wonderful photo with these wonderful women.

Drewmanity.com-The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

sunrise-taj-mahal-agra-india-drew-manusharow

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

Happy birthday- First in line Taj Mahal-

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

sunrise-taj-mahal-river-agra-india-drew-manusharow

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The Taj Mahal- Unesco World Heritage site. Agra District of Uttar Predesh, India.

The mighty Taj – commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is the jewel of Muslim art in India

 

Death Camps at Auschwitz II – Birkenau/ Oświęcim POLAND

Auschwitz II – Birkenau/ Oświęcim POLAND

standing in Birkenau in between camp districts.

standing in Birkenau in between camp districts.

drewmanity-poland-auschwitz-birkenau-cremation-smoke-stack One of the many cremation rooms.

the underground crematory

drewmanity-poland-auschwitz-birkenau-gas-chambers

A memorial standing before the gas chambers

drewmanity-poland-auschwitz-birkenau-cremation

One of the many cremation rooms.

drewmanity-poland-unesco-world-heritage-site -auschwitz-birkenau-german nazi-concentration-and-extermination-camp

standing in Birkenau in between camp districts.

drewmanity-poland-auschwitz-birkenau-train-tracks

The tracts that led to death. birkenau

drewmanity-poland-auschwitz-birkenau-grave

remembering the lost

drewmanity-poland-auschwitz-birkenau-gate work will set you free Arbeit macht frei

Arbeit macht frei = Work will set your free- The famous sign about Auschwitz1 entrance was erected my metal workers in June 1940.

The old world meets the new world, New Dehli, India

Upon arrival in New Delhi, it isn’t long before you notice the complexity of this city. The warm climate attracts a mass of people into the area with a population recorded in 2011 of 22 million inhabitants which makes it the second most populated city in the world. Imagine yourself here arriving by plane or train among hordes of people from all over the world. The fast pace growth of the city has also given way to the growth of street food vendors (Dhabas). One must take note Delhi is where Mughlai cuisine originated you’ll need to sample a few dishes or even take a cooking class.
All the riches in the world can be found here, ranging from luxurious Hotels and business condos to majestic temples and landscapes thousands of years old. Be sure to hire an auto rickshaw taxi by the hour or negotiate a price for an all day to visit places such as Connaught Place, Lotus temple, Akshardham temple (the largest Hindu temple complex in the world), and of course India Gate. But don’t miss out on these Unesco World Heritage Sites: Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort Delhi where you can find number of affordable accommodations for any budget. Anything you want can be found in Delhi.

Roaming around Rome, Italy

night-rome-Italy-drewmanity Rome Italy Colosseum at night summer 2011
night-rome-Italy-drewmanity Rome Italy Colosseum at night  summer 2011

Rome Italy Colosseum

Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it can’t be toured in a day either. The city is a monstrous museum of epic proportion. If you’re finding that you will need more time to see it all, stand at the elegant Trevi Fountain and flip a coin over your shoulder and make the wish!

My second time around I spent double the amount of days as my first trip to enjoy the historic sites such as the Coliseum and the Pantheon, open air markets, and piazzas rich in color and flavors. Be sure to take a pit stop at an open-air café for a wood fire roasted artichoke, cappers, and smoky three cheese pizza.

One would be silly to miss out on a stroll across the cobblestones to visit the Sistine Chapel. Grab a map from your hotel or download one online and pop in and out of shops and museums dotted throughout the inner city walkways as the sun sets and the city illuminates in an orange hue. A picturesque Vatican City and all its allure is best enjoyed in the early morning or at sunset as the day winds to an end.

After the long day of weaving around the city, you’ll need to take a seat and people watch with a mouth watering dessert of thick Gelato or warm cappuccino. The nights are unbelievable as the city illuminates and the volume turns up a notch. Grab your buds and taste the night life, head out for a dance at the discos and sample the adult libations. There is something for everyone in the city of Rome.