People travel for many reasons, some travel to soak in the different cultures of people across the world while some travel to marvel at the wonders of nature. Some travel to see the wonders of Man’s creations and some travel for the sheer joy of traveling. We travel for all of these reasons and also for those special moments which may inspire sheer awe or wonder, moments when you realize the simple truths, moments when we realize both the frailty and invincibility of Man. Here we write about a few of such special moments which remain etched in our memories forever and whenever we think about those moments, just one word escapes from our lips, WOW.
WOW Travel Moments
TAJ MAHAL- Love at First Sight
We crossed one of the four gates that open on to the 55.5 acres complex that houses the Taj Mahal, its gardens, and other subsidiary monuments; we noticed a strange feeling of anticipation within us as we excitedly made our way towards our rendezvous with the monument which the world looks at as an ode in marble to love.
The adrenalin rushed through our veins and we felt as excited as a lover meeting his or her beloved after a heartbreaking separation.
And then we held our collective breath, our excited chatter stopping suddenly as we experienced the first sight of the Taj Mahal. There she stood majestically in virginal white, silhouetted against a clear blue sky, in harmony with her surroundings, yet standing out proudly as a monument of Love, speaking volumes without saying a word.
The Taj Mahal looked more beautiful than we had ever imagined, none of the photographs that we had ever seen actually did justice to her.
We fell head over heels in love, love at first sight and this time with a marble monument called Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal is not only considered one of the 7 wonders of the world, it is also one of the seven wonders of India. For more details, you may visit the official site of Taj Mahal.
Sistine Chapel- A Humbling experience
One bright, sunny morning found us at the entrance to the Vatican making our way through the different tapestries, sculptures, paintings and other works of art in the Vatican Museums. We marveled at the skill and artistry of the artists but at the back of our minds were thinking about the ‘piece de resistance’; The Sistine Chapel!
Soon we were inside the hallowed Chapel. There was an awed hush as people gazed in wonder at what the genius of Man had brought to life on the ceiling of the Chapel. We looked and looked, our eyes simply not getting enough of what they saw, wanting to freeze frame those beautiful moments for eternity. It was indeed a soul stirring and humbling experience, our hair stood on end and tears flowed from our eyes as we marveled at the divine work done by Michael Angelo. We wondered what would have gone through the mind of Michael Angelo. What was his inspiration? What was his motivation?
We returned from the Sistine Chapel with the feeling of having been in the presence of a divine being, such was the effect of Michael Angelo’s masterpiece.
We did get some answers to our questions from this 1965 film, The Agony and the Ecstacy.
We will be back soon with more such wow moments. Do share with us your Wow moments!
Didnt visit either of those places, but they all look great!
Nikoleta, thanks for stopping by. Both the places are really worth visitng. You should definitely plan.
Wow! I would really love to visit some the Taj Mahal… India is on my way, I am just waiting till my youngest kid is a bit older. But definitely going there in the (hopefully near) future. Great pictures!
Thanks a lot. 🙂 Glad you liked the pictures too. Yes, I am sure you and your kids will love the Taj Mahal. It is magnificient! Also India has many other great places to visit.
I’ll be in India in a round 4 months and will end up at the Taj Mahal at some point I think. If you ever get to Iceland make sure to check out the Gullfoss or Geysirs. Stunning no matter what time of year you go!
Wow that’s great. Do reach out if you need help In India. Iceland is in our bucket list and will surely take your suggestion. Happy travels
🙂
Could not agree more about the Taj Mahal. Even though I have seen pictures of it for my entire life, nothing prepared me for the sheer _size_ and _grandeur_ of it. I want to go back and take some proper photos!
Exactly. Taj Mahal beckons you again and again becoz of its grandeur and magnificence 🙂
We were in awe when we visited the Sistine Chapel, but I have to say the crowd took a little bit of enjoyment away. We’d like to go back to visit in the shoulder season. We haven’t made it to India yet. Your picture looks amazing!
thanks, we were fortunate to be there when the crowds were less and yes you should make it to India sometime!
Both sites I want to visit so badly. Great recount of the anticipation and experiences.
Beautiful sites both of them. Will add a third to this… Colosseum. The awe I felt was just something else
Totally agree with Ami : Colosseum… and I will add… Alhambra !!! I spent hours there, visiting the garden and inside. And the view from the top of the Albacin is just WOW…
I REALLY want to see the Sistine Chapel. And I sure hope to see the Taj Mahal while we’re in India.
You should definitely see both Jessica. They are mind blowing!
Taj Mahal is magical for sure! Even more so early morning, when they first open the doors.
You are absolutely right Patricia. It is very charming!
Been to both, and I have to agree with you! I revisited the Taj after a gap of some 20 odd years, and was still just as blown away (perhaps more, since I now understood its significance a lot better). The Sistine Chapel was of course incredible (and I didn’t mind the sore neck at all!)
These are two places that I have also been extremely fortunate to have seen, and can only agree that ‘wow’ is the closest superlative that comes to describing them. The Taj is simply astonishing, a building that is almost unreal in the way it stands out against its backdrop – I’ll never forget the sublime feeling I had when I first caught sight of it. And the Sistine Chapel certainly deserves to be mentioned in a similar vein. A true triumph of human artistic genius 🙂
Thanks for sharing your special moments. I haven’t seen either of those with my own eyes, but I can see why they made an impact.
I have been to Taj Mahal many times and it is still always on my list. Have heard a lot about Sistine Chapel and it is on my list. Seeing only one of these I can understand how these place make a impact in your life.
I completely relate to your wow moments, because they were wow for me also! Especially Sistine Chapel, because I didn’t read much about it before going in. I can add another wow destination to this – Petra in Jordan!
I can relate to Sistine Chapel. I was stunned seeing it for the first time. A security guard had to nudge me to move ahead! 🙂
I also loved Taj Mahal but unfortunately when I was there the crowds of people were to big and I couldn’t really enjoy fully the experience. Everyone was pushing and making noise, the guards were very violent as well. I was there until sunset, at the closing time and one the people started to leave I could notice the pure beauty of the Taj.
I agree, the first thought when you see the Taj Mahal is like WOW! Something so beautiful can exist and that too over the years? The last time I went there, it was a Friday when the monument is usually shut. But I couldn’t stop marveling at it’s beauty even from the backside!
Parampara-Parichay
I visited Taj Mahal long long back and indeed even at that slender age it was like love at first sight. So, can totally relate to what you mean here. Yet to visit sistine chapel though
I get to go to the Sistine Chapel in April… looking forward to it. The Taj is on my bucket list – there’s no way I’m going back to India and missing it! Two great choices. My top wow moment so far has been Petra in Jordan; I urge you to visit if you haven’t already.
I have fond memories of Taj Mahal. I was in Agra for some months and would come and sit by Taj most weekends alone. Those were the days.
This truly is a wow, pinch me moment! SO spectacular in white. I can imagine pictures just don’t do it justice!
These really are wow moments. While I have of course seen Taj Mahal, the Sistine Chapel remains a bucket list item. Just the sheer effort it must have taken to paint those in those ceilings feels one with awe.
We had the same feeling of excitement when we first visited Taj Mahal so pristine and pure. For one moment we were hesitant to even touch it for it being so surreal. And the Sistine Chapel and its beautiful paintings no wonder they will keep you gazed to the ceiling and you will be lost in the moment. Indeed these are our wow moments too.
Both the places are deloghts to the sight and mind, so glad to read someone else write about them! Thank you 🙂
I’ve never been to these two world renowned structures. But both are amazing and awe-inspiring and would definitely want to check them in the future. As of now, my Wow moment has to be Iceland – it’s out of this world.
The Sistine Chapel absolutely took my breath away. I’d love to see the Taj Mahal one day. Great post, thanks for sharing 🙂
Have been to Taj Mahal, still feel it is an overrated place. Though I love the beauty of Taj but we have lots of other amazing places in India.
Sistine Chapel works looks quite splendid but have not been to Italy yet 🙂
You’re not supposed to be taking pictures in there! I just got back from Rome and I did it too! Too beautiful not to remember with photos.